Below is a list of the actions of the Overtures Committee as of Tuesday, June 25, at 5 p.m.
Overtures that request changes to the Rules of Assembly Operations (RAO), allowing for a partial report of the Overtures Committee on Wednesday:
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the GA answer Overture 6, “Amend RAO 11 and 13 to Disallow Memorials,” in the affirmative. The vote was 120-7-2.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 12, “Amend RAO 8-4 regarding Floor Nominations,” in the negative. The vote was 104-22-3.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overtures 18, “Amend RAO 11-5 to Prevent Confusion and Possible Contradictory Actions on Overtures by Multiple Committees of Commissioners,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 127-0-0. Read the amended language here.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overtures 15, “Amend RAO 11-5 to Prevent Confusion and Possible Contradictory Actions on Overtures by Multiple Committees of Commissioners,” with reference to its answer on Overture 18. The vote was 123-0-1.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overtures 16, “Amend the RAO to Provide for a Moderator-Elect and a Vice-Moderator by Revision of RAO 1-4, Addition of RAO 1-6, and 1-8, and Revision of RAO 2-1, 2-3,” in the negative. The vote was 106-19-3.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 17, “Amend BCO 32-8 to Allow for Video Testimony by Witnesses,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 123-1-2. Read the amended language here.
Overtures that request changes to the Book of Church Order (BCO):
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 36, “Amend BCO 40-4 and 40-5 To Clarify the Meaning of ‘Credible Report’”, in the negative. The vote was 112-10-6.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 1, “Revise BCO 14-12 to Permit Additional Ruling Elder Representation at the General Assembly,” in the negative. The vote was 101-27-1.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 5, “Amend BCO 23-1 on Procedures for Dissolving Various Pastoral Relations,” by referring the overture back to the presbytery without prejudice. The vote was 108-16-3.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 9, “Amend BCO 42-4; 43-2; 43-3 regarding Method and Deadlines of Filing Cases,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 116-3-7. Read the amended language here.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 34, “Amend BCO 42-4; 43-2; and 43-3 as well as OMSJC 18.10 b. to Clarify Filing Requirements and Allow Electronic Filings,” by referring it back to the presbytery without prejudice. The vote was 124-0-1.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 33, “Amend BCO 57-5 to Add Vow Regarding Trinity,” in the negative. The vote was 85-38-3.
Overtures that address the subject of sexuality:
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 4, “Declare the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood’s ‘Nashville Statement’ on Biblical Sexuality as a Biblically Faithful Declaration,” in the affirmative. The vote was 74-53-1. There will be a minority report.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 22, “Urge Assembly to Adopt Overture 4 Regarding Nashville Statement,” with reference to its answer on Overture 4. The vote was 101-14-3.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that the Assembly answer Overture 11, “Commend and Distribute RPCNA’s ‘Contemporary Perspectives on Sexual Orientation: A Theological and Pastoral Analysis,’” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 97-24-4. Read the amended overture here.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that Overture 35, “Affirm the PCA’s Commitment to the Sanctity of Bible Sexual Relationships,” be ruled out of order because it calls on the Assembly to re-affirm previous PCA General Assembly actions. According to the Robert’s Rules, re-affirmations are always out of order. The vote was 114-4-1.
Overtures Committee has voted to recommend that Overture 39, “Re-commend the Previous Statements and Study Reports of the PCA in Regard to Homosexuality,” be ruled out of order. The vote was 116-5-2.
The committee plans to reconvene at 7:30 p.m. Find their evening decisions on Facebook and Twitter.
Grounds
The Overtures Committee adopted grounds for its answers to overtures 6, 12, 15, and 18. Read the grounds here.