Information and Committee of Commissioner Reports, Continued
The Assembly reconvened at 8:00 a.m. and heard the report and recommendations of the Administrative Committee.
The Assembly initially voted down item 16, which would have made the GA registration fee the same for teaching elders and Ruling Elders. A motion was made to reconsider the matter, and the Assembly voted to reconsider the matter. When the matter was voted on a second time, the recommendation was approved. Click here to read more about the costs of the General Assembly.
The Assembly approved all the Administrative Committee’s recommendations, including extending the work of the ad interim committees on Christian Nationalism and the Directory for Worship until the 54th General Assembly.
At the conclusion of the Administrative Committee’s report, the Assembly took time to honor and thank Ruling Elder John Bise for his service over the past year as provisional stated clerk.
The Assembly voted on nominations to fill 15 positions on permanent committees. Most of the votes included nominees from the Nominating Committee and floor nominees. The Assembly approved the committee’s nominee in all contested elections except one.
The Reformed University Fellowship Committee presented its report. The Assembly approved all recommendations from the committee.
Overtures Committee Report
After recessing for lunch, the Assembly reconvened to take up the report of the Overtures Committee.
The Assembly voted to answer Overture 5,32, and 63 by referring them back to their presbyteries. All three overtures sought to change the RAO.
The Assembly voted to refer Overture 8, “Amend RAO 8-4.i to Set the Deadline for Floor Nominations 24 Hours Earlier,” back to Pacific Northwest Presbytery.
The Assembly voted to answer Overtures 9, 33, 45, and 53 in the negative. Overture 47 was answered with reference to the Assembly’s action on Overture 45.
The Assembly answered Overture 6 from Pacific Northwest Presbytery, “Amend RAO 14-9, 15-8, and add 16-7.h to Require 150 Commissioners to Remove from an Omnibus,” in the negative.
The Assembly voted to recommend answering Overture 7 from Pacific Northwest Presbytery, “Amend RAO 16 Regarding RPR’s Reporting on Presbytery Records,” in the negative.
The Assembly voted to answer Overtures 11 and 81 in the affirmative as amended, Overture 78 in the affirmative, and Overture 79 with reference to the Assembly’s action on Overture 78. The vote was 1327-14-6.
with reference to the Assembly’s action on Overture 78. The vote was 1327-14-6.
The Overtures Committee recommended that the Assembly answer Overture 43, “Amend RAO 4-9 so that Coordinators of Committees are Elected to 4-year Terms,” in the affirmative. A minority report was presented as a substitute motion to answer the overture in the negative. The substitute became the main motion and passed. Overture 43 is answered in the negative.
The Assembly answered Overtures 77, 40, 41, 73, and 77 by reference to the action taken on Overture 43.
The Assembly voted to refer back to their presbyteries Overtures 12, 51, and 59.
The Assembly voted to refer back en gross to their presbyteries (or lower court) Overtures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 49, 58, 60, 64, 68, 82, 84, 85, and 55.
The Assembly voted to refer Overture 90 back to its originating court.
The Assembly answered Overtures 2, 3, 29, 34, 36, 38, 48, 46, 54, 56, 65, 67, 71, 74, 75, and 86 in the negative.
Overtures 14, 34, 36, 38, 48, 52, 71, and 74 were answered with reference to the Assembly’s answer to Overture 37. The Assembly voted to answer Overture 37 in the negative.
The Assembly voted to answer Overture 39 in the negative.
The Assembly voted to answer Overtures 1, 28, and 35 in the negative.
The Assembly voted to answer Overtures 4, 15, 16, and 69 in the affirmative and Overtures 13 and 50 in the affirmative as amended.
The Assembly voted to answer Overture 27, “Amend BCO 34-1 Regarding GA Assuming Original Jurisdiction,” in the affirmative as amended.
The Assembly voted to answer Overtures 57 in the affirmative and Overtures 72 in the affirmative as amended.
The Assembly answered Overture 61, “Declare the ‘Danvers Statement’ as a Biblically Faithful Declaration,” in the affirmative. The vote was 934-841-34.
The Assembly voted to affirm Overture 66, “Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving on the Occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s Founding,” as amended and answer Overtures 76 and 89 with reference to its action on Overture 66.
The Assembly voted to answer Overture 2025-49, “Erect an Ad Interim Committee on AI,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 1175-503-12.
The Assembly voted to answer Overture 80, “Erect Ad Interim Committee on Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory,” in the negative.
The moderator ruled that Overture 42 is moot.
After hearing from Teaching Elder Zach Byrd of the Committee on Thanks, the 53rd General Assembly adjourned with the singing of Psalm 133. The 54th General Assembly is scheduled to meet June 14-18, 2027 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.