In its rationale for the overture, Northern New England asserts that most of the CMC’s reports to the General Assembly have focused on long-range planning rather than its other primary responsibility, inter-agency cooperation.

In the opinion of Skip Gilliken, stated clerk of Western Carolina Presbytery, “The overture provides a further check and balance that helps the Assembly do things decently and in order.”

Pacific Northwest’s proposal in Overture 14 would not prohibit a commissioner from proposing new business; however, if he has not first presented it to a presbytery as an overture, he would be required to explain why he did not.

t the Mobile Assembly, the Overtures Committee recommended approval of this proposal by a vote of 80-2, but the Assembly rejected it, 227-427. One of the arguments made on the floor at Mobile was that a thorough revision of the Book of Discipline is in the works and any changes to BCO 43 should await completion.

Overture 17 from Pacific Northwest Presbytery requests that the 45th General Assembly to adopt a one-sentence statement encouraging presbyteries to have a theological discussion with any candidate considering “opting out” of Social Security.

Stated Clerk Howard Donahoe points out that many presbyteries have seen churches leave based on votes from very small quorums. “This change will make sure that any Session recommending a congregation leave the PCA will need to do so in front of a fuller representation of the Church,” he says.