The Overtures Committee convened on Monday morning and elected Teaching Elder Steve Tipton to serve as chairman and Ruling Elder Matt Fender to serve as vice-chair. The committee made the following recommendations to the General Assembly:
Overture 7, Amend RAO 11-5 to Clarify Process for RAO Amendments, in the affirmative. The vote was 122-1.
Overture 14, Amend RAO 4-21.d to Require Enrollment Data From Higher Ed Institutions, in the affirmative. The vote was 118-4-1.
Overture 28, Amend RAO 16-6.c.1. to Eliminate Conflict with BCO 40-5, by referring it back to the presbytery. The vote was 114-8-1.
Overture 4, Establish Study Committee for Judicial Rules Changes, in the negative. The vote was 116-7-2.
Overture 20, Proposed Systematic Changes to BCO 31, 32, and 35, in the negative. The vote was 117-2-1.
Overture 19, Amend BCO 41 to allow Venue Change in Judicial Cases, in the negative. The vote was 104-4-1.
Overture 21, Change the Prohibition Against ‘Interlocutory Appeal’ by Complaint in BCO 43-1, in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 117-3-1. Click here to read the amended language.
Overture 25, Amend BCO 31-2 to Expand Who May Assist in an Investigations, in the negative. The vote was 88-30-1.
Overture 26, Amend BCO 32-19 To Expand Representation of Accused Persons Before Church Courts, in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 116-7-1. Read the amended language here.
Overtures Committee voted to recommend answering Overture 1, Amend BCO 35-1 and 35-8 Regarding Witness Eligibility, in the negative. The vote was 71-59-0. There will be a minority report.
Overture 18, Amend BCO 35-1 and 35-8 Regarding Witness Eligibility, with reference to its actions on Overture 1. The vote was 98-20-3.
Overture 17, Amend BCO 13-6, 21-4, and 24-1 to Require Background Checks for Church Office, in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 115-13-4. Read the amended language here.
Overtures 24, 6, 16, and 23 with reference to the committee’s actions on Overture 17. The vote was 117-2-1.
Overture 27, Amend BCO 13-6 to Add Personal Character and Family Management to the Examination of Transferring Ministers, in the affirmative 110-15-1.
Overture 2, Amend BCO 13-6 for Clarity in Transfers of Ordination, in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 119-5-6. Read the amended language here.
Overture 30, Amend BCO 23-1 To Require that the Presbytery of Jurisdiction Conduct an Exit Interview Prior to Dissolution of Call, in the negative. The vote was 72-57-1.
The committee voted to recommend referring Overture 32, Amend BCO 23 to Address Dissolution of Call for those employed by a Committee or Agency, back to the presbytery. The vote was 130-1-1.
Overture 9, Add Great Commission Requirement to BCO 12-5, in the negative. The vote was 114-16-3.
Overture 10, Add Presbytery TE Care to BCO 13-9, in the negative. The vote was 85-44.
The committee voted to recommend referring Overture 22, Amend BCO 13-2 to clarify Teaching Elder Presbytery Membership, back to South Florida Presbytery. The vote was 120-6-0.
Overture 31, Amend BCO 14-1 Regarding Changes in Permanent Committee and Agency Policy, in the negative. The vote was 118-3-3.
Overture 13, Commend and Encourage Distribution of Commission Letter Regarding Gender Reassignment for Minors, in the negative. The vote was 77-53-3.
The committee has adjourned until tomorrow at 9 am.