Although the most sigificant actions taken by the 218th General Assembly are deeply troubling, several important actions taken promote biblical faithulness. PFR's analysis of the GA's actions on inter-faith relations, ordination standards and sexuality is available in a separate article, "Contending for the Faith: The Way Forward After General Assembly." Below is are several important decisions that PFR supports:

• “An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission”: This document was developed through the collaboration of several entities facilitating global partnerships, including the World Mission offices of the PC(USA), The Outreach Foundation, Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, the World Mission Initiative, and the Presbyterian Global Fellowship. It represents a positive new collaborative spirit.

• “A Call to Seek God for Spiritual Renewal of the Church”: By approving an amended version of this overture from San Joacquin Presbytery, the GA has invited “each congregation and presbytery of the PC(USA) to gather in times each sets aside for spiritual renewal through intentional gatherings such as spiritual assemblies, which may include personal and community worship, meditation, confession, forgiveness, fasting, and prayer.”

• A new mission budget with increased funds for international mission workers: This increase of funds should enable the first increase in the number of international mission workers since the 1950s.

• Annual Report on the Relief of Conscience Plan: The plan enables congregations to designate that the funds they contribute to the denomination will not pay for abortions (through the medical plan). Congregations that have elected to participate in the plan have not received adequate reports on the plan’s status and assurances of their own continued participation in the plan. The GA has now directed the Board of Pensions to provide an annual review of the plan and to confirm annually the participation of congregations who have elected to participate.

• “A Gracious, Pastoral Response to Churches Seeking Dismissal from the PC(USA).” This action originated as a “commissioner’s resolution” at GA, and it encourages presbyteries to be gracious and pastoral toward congregations seeking to leave the PC(USA). For instance, given that presbyteries have the responsibility to dissolve, dismiss or divide congregations, this action states the following: “trying to exercise this responsibility and power through litigation is deadly to the cause of Christ.” We hope presbyteries give more attention to this action than to a separate action that established a special fund to support presbyteries in civil litigation against congregations seeking dismissal. The potential conflict between the two actions is apparent.