Megan Fowler

Keeping the General Assembly in Order

A Conversation With Dr. L. Roy Taylor

The stated clerk has 20 specific responsibilities associated with the gathering of the denomination’s highest court. ByFaith asked Taylor to talk about a few of the specific things he does before and during the Assembly.

How God’s People Can Build a Peaceful and Prosperous City

When we grasp the magnitude of what He’s done, we gladly live for others. We go where life is hard, says Keller. We sacrifice for others. We do justice and love mercy.

Overture 1 Calls for Commitment to Bible Translation

Overture 1 calls for the Assembly to “urge each Presbytery to devise a plan to support financially the translation of Scriptures into the language of one people group.”

Overture 2 Advocates Full Constitutional Authority for BCO Chapter on Marriage

Though the PCA Directory for Worship is part of the Book of Church Order (BCO), only three of its chapters have been granted the constitutional authority the rest of the BCO enjoys. Overture 2 from Calvary Presbytery would change that by adding to that list BCO 59, “The Solemnization of Marriage.” The rationale for Overture…

Overture 3 Calls for Ad Interim Committee on Role of Women to be Disbanded

After extended debate, the 44th General Assembly erected an ad interim committee to study the role of women in ministry in the PCA. Overture 3 from Westminster Presbytery calls for the 45th General Assembly to reverse that action.

Overture 4: Only Males Can be Ordained

Northwest Georgia’s proposed addition reads: “We are deeply convinced of the clarity of Scripture on this topic and as such we consider the doctrine of ordination for elders and deacons as limited only to males as an essential component to our ecclesiology.

Overture 5 Recommends Changes In The Description Of The Elder In BCO 8-1 and 8-3

Therefore Minnery believes that displaying the fruit of the Spirit and hospitality should be significant traits for elders, and included in BCO 8. Rocky Mountain Presbytery agrees and has sent BCO 5 to the General Assembly.

Overture 7 Calls for The Mission Of The CMC to be Modified

In its rationale for the overture, Northern New England asserts that most of the CMC’s reports to the General Assembly have focused on long-range planning rather than its other primary responsibility, inter-agency cooperation.

Overture 10 Calls for Change in Overture Referral Procedure

In the opinion of Skip Gilliken, stated clerk of Western Carolina Presbytery, “The overture provides a further check and balance that helps the Assembly do things decently and in order.”

Overture 14 Proposes Change in GA Procedure to Docket New Business

Pacific Northwest’s proposal in Overture 14 would not prohibit a commissioner from proposing new business; however, if he has not first presented it to a presbytery as an overture, he would be required to explain why he did not.

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