Since last summer, presbyteries have been voting on 13 Book of Church Order amendments initially approved by the 52nd General Assembly. For BCO amendments to pass this second phase, at least two-thirds of the PCA’s 87 presbyteries must approve them. This requires 58 presbyteries to vote in favor of an amendment.
As of this week, 10 amendments have reached the approval threshold. Here are the items:
Item 2 would amend BCO 12-3 so that a session may elect one of its members as moderator in a judicial case. The presbyteries have voted 67-3 in favor of the change.
Item 3 would amend BCO 15-5.c to clarify how the General Assembly handles minority decisions in a Standing Judicial Commission case. The presbytery vote is 69-1.
Item 4 would amend BCO 18-2 to allow flexibility on a ministry candidate’s application to come under care. The presbytery vote is 67-3.
The presbyteries have voted 70-0 in favor of Item 6, which would amend BCO 24-1 to clarify a session’s role in examining officer nominees.
Item 7 would amend BCO 31-10 to require the entire court to vote before suspending an officer’s official functions during process. The presbytery vote is 58-12.
Item 8 has been approved by the presbyteries 69-1. It would amend BCO 35-9 to require recording all parts of a trial.
Item 9 would amend BCO 36-4 to add language for the administration of definite suspension from office. The presbyteries approved the amendment 70-0.
Item 10 would amend BCO 36-5 to conform its language regarding the suspension from office to the language of BCO 37-3. The presbytery vote is 70-0.
The presbyteries have voted 68-2 in favor of Item 11, which would amend BCO 36-8 and 42-2 to provide for elevation of a censure without an entirely new trial.
Item 12 would amend BCO 41-3 to allow supplemental judges for a session trial. The presbytery vote is 67-3.
The final step for these amendments will be a ratification vote at the 53rd General Assembly in June.
The presbyteries previously voted down Item 1 and Item 13. Item 5 has not received enough votes to determine its outcome. Keep track of the voting using the Administrative Committee’s dashboard.