DENVER -- Presbyterian Church (USA) will stay with its plan to convene its national assembly every two years after 2004, saving the denomination about $3 million during off years, according to the Presbyterian News Service.
Delegates at this year's assembly voted 285-230 to reaffirm the biennial format approved at last year's assembly.
The news service reported there was considerable debate in hearings of the Assembly's Committee on General Assembly Procedures and on the plenary floor about the change. The year 2005 will be the first without a national assembly since the church was founded in 1789.
Proponents of biennial meetings said church officers and staff would be less burdened to carry out the will of the most recent assembly and to prepare for the next.
Opponents said annual meetings foster connectivity and allow more Presbyterians to be involved in the life of the church, the news service reported.
The change was made on a trial basis and could be reversed in 2010.
