Proposed Change to BCO 32-20 Goes to 49th Assembly for Ratification
By Larry Hoop
Overture

Changing a provision in the Book of Church Order (BCO) is a three-step process. First, the proposed amendment must be approved by a majority vote of General Assembly (GA). The proposal is then sent to the presbyteries for their “advice and consent,” where it must be approved by two-thirds of them (currently, 59). Finally, it is docketed for ratification by the next GA. Ratification requires a majority of commissioners to that GA who are present and voting.

As of March 1, 72 presbyteries have submitted votes, though not all have voted on Items 2 and 4 (described below). The latest proposed change to the BCO to receive official approval from 59 presbyteries is Item 7 on the list of eight proposals approved by the 48th GA. Item 7 would replace the current BCO 32-20, which requires a church court to commence process against a member in a case involving scandal within one year, with a new provision that would allow an accused person to object to the consideration of a charge against them  and would provide direction to the court about how to consider such an objection. Item 7 joins five other proposals to be sent to the 49th GA for ratification (for information on these proposals, click here). 

Item 4, which would have changed BCO 21-4 and 24-1 to clarify the moral requirements for church office by requiring more extensive investigation of a candidate’s character, giving particular attention to “notorious concerns,” has been denied approval by a sufficient number of presbyteries to prevent it from being considered for ratification (the current official count is 37 in favor, 34 opposed).

Item 2, which would amend BCO 16 by adding a clause (16-4) that would prohibit ordination of men who profess an identity contradicting their new identity in Christ and lists as examples those who self-identify as “gay Christians,” “same sex attracted Christians,” “homosexual Christians,” “or like terms”, remains officially undecided – 42 presbyteries have reported their approval, and 28 have reported disapproval.

While the PCA will not ordain practicing homosexuals, Item 2 would amend BCO 16 by adding a clause (16-4) that would prohibit ordination of men who profess an identity contradicting their new identity in Christ and lists as examples those who self-identify as “gay Christians,” “same sex attracted Christians,” “homosexual Christians,” “or like terms.” The overture remains officially undecided – 42 presbyteries have reported their approval, and 28 have reported disapproval.

byFaith will report when this proposal has reached the threshold of either approval or disapproval through official reports from the remaining presbyteries.      

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