Doctrine of Discovery
Doctrine of Discovery Report
The 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) called the church to confess its complicity and repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery. The action also called for a review of the history of the doctrine and the writing of a report on the doctrine.
Offered below is the reformatted version of the Doctrine of Discovery report approved by the 223rd GA (2018).
The Doctrine of Discovery web page
Multiple resources, including historical background, worship suggestions and videos are available on a new web page devoted to the Church’s stand on the Doctrine of Discovery.
Native American web page
The Church’s Native American Congregational Support Office responds to Native American congregational issues and enables Native American Presbyterians to participate actively in the mission of the church.
Presbyterians Today: Facing Racism
12-step programs agree that the first step to recovery is honest acceptance — admitting that we have a problem. Well, we have a problem: we are racists. Our attitudes and behaviors are often more subtle than overt, and perhaps more negligent or unseeing than intentional. Nonetheless, our racism is insidious, pervasive and incalculably cruel to people on the receiving end. This special and timely edition of Presbyterians Today contains a collection of stories and resources to help open our eyes and hopefully put us on the right track to start making things right.
Native American Ministries Facebook Page
Engage and learn about Church’s Native American Ministries.
Speaker's Bureau on Indigenous Issues
Congregations, mid-councils, national church agencies, and other groups may contact speakers to learn more about indigenous issues, such as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Apology to Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians or the Doctrine of Discovery. In this sharing, we seek to assist the church in becoming God’s intercultural community and work together to end structural racism and white supremacy. See below names of Presbyterian leaders who are available to speak on indigenous issues, as listed by regions.
Native American Church Properties Inventory and Fund
The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Presbyterian Mission Agency to work with mid councils to facilitate an assembly-wide inventory documenting the physical needs of Native American churches and chapels. The action taken also directed the Presbyterian Foundation to create an ongoing fund for urgent and immediate repairs and improvements.