SJC Answers Overtures 2013- 20, 21, and 22 in the Negative
By

The Standing Judicial Commission has answered Overtures 2013- 20, 21, and 22 in the negative. The identical overtures — submitted to the 41st General Assembly by Gulf Coast Presbytery, Calvary Presbytery, and Mississippi Valley Presbytery — requested the General Assembly  to assume original jurisdiction over teaching elder Peter Leithart.

Leithart had been tried by Pacific Northwest Presbytery for allegations of unorthodox views, but was not convicted. A complaint was then filed against the presbytery’s actions. That complaint — Hedman v. Pacific Northwest Presbytery — was carried forward to the SJC.

According to the Rules of Assembly Operation 17-2, any overtures submitted that request the General Assembly to assume original jurisdiction over a minister under BCO 34-1 “shall be assigned to the Standing Judicial Commission for adjudication.”

The SJC met on Oct. 17, 18, and Nov. 4 to consider their reply to the overtures. The commission’s actions will be reported to the 42nd General Assembly.

To read the SJC’s Answer to the Overtures, please click here.

 

Scroll to Top