Next week the Committee for the Review of Presbytery Records will be meeting in Atlanta. For the first time ever, byFaith will be onsite and provide updates regarding their decisions and actions. The committee is scheduled to commence its work on May 29 and conclude no later than lunch on Friday, May 31. 

Here’s what you need to know:

First, byFaith provides updates when the committees of commissioners are meeting the week of the Assembly. Unlike the Overtures Committee and committees of commissioners, RPR meets prior to the Assembly. This is due to the length and complexity of their work which requires more time than the Assembly schedule affords. These updates from byFaith provide church members a rare glimpse into this committee’s work.

Second, the Assembly often does not know the decisions made by RPR until weeks later when the RPR report is published in the General Assembly commissioner’s handbook. The informal reporting of byFaith isn’t intended to replace the formal report of the committee. Instead, byFaith is providing general updates on decisions made by a committee that will eventually be considered by the Assembly as a whole.

Finally, if you want to familiarize yourself with the Review of Presbytery Records, you can read this article by one of its former members concerning the nature of the committee’s work. The full description of the committee’s responsibilities and guidelines can be found in Article XVI of the Rules of Assembly Operations. 

If you want to stay up to date on the actions of RPR, follow byFaith on social media, visit our website, and subscribe to our newsletter.