At least two-thirds of PCA presbyteries have approved four amendments to the PCA’s Book of Church Order sent to them by the 51st General Assembly. They will become official if they are ratified by the 52nd General Assembly when it meets this summer in Chattanooga.
Since there are 87 presbyteries, each amendment needed approval of at least 58 presbyteries. So far, 63 presbyteries have submitted their votes on these amendments, with each having reached the minimum number of votes required for approval.
The four amendments, which will come before the 52nd General Assembly as “items,” are as follows:
Item 1 is to update BCO 13-6 for clarity in transfers of ordination. This section of the BCO outlines the rules for presbyteries when examining a candidate transferring into their presbytery. The amended language clarifies the thoroughness of exams required for teaching elders transferring into the presbytery, whether from another PCA presbytery of the PCA or from another denomination. It will also require a presbytery denying admission to a PCA minister to record the action and communicate its decision and any adopted rationale to the originating presbytery.
Item 2 changes the same section of the BCO by adding personal character and family management to the examination of transferring ministers. Currently, the BCO requires transfer candidates to be examined on their Christian experience. If the change becomes official, it specifies that this exam includes personal character and family management.
Item 3 expands who is eligible to represent accused persons in church courts. If the new language for BCO 32-19 is ratified, a person may be represented before a session or presbytery by any church member or teaching elder in the presbytery. A person appearing before the General Assembly may be represented by any member in the PCA. Moreover, the amendment adds language encouraging church courts to suggest representation to the accused.
Item 4 updates the language to BCO 43-1 to permit a complaint to be filed during a judicial case. However, the complaint will not be ruled upon until the judicial process has been completed, including any appellate process.
You can find the full text of the amendments and details on the voting breakdown on the Administrative Committee’s amendment tracking dashboard.