Don’t worry, the contributors of Vintage73.com understand that said website does not constitute an ordinary court of the church and as such is not entitled to bring any real overture before the Assembly. However the contributors of Vintage73 ask that commissioner and visitors consider implementing the above overture regardless of ecclesiastical authority.

OVERTURE V73-1 from Vintage73.com “Regarding Respect and Sarcasm”

Whereas, The Presbyterian Church in America (hereafter P.C.A.) has grown to such a size that it is impossible to know or interact with all Elders in the denomination.

Whereas, the Scriptures command us to show hospitality toward one another with out grumbling.

Whereas, the Scriptures command us to not speak evil of one another.

Whereas, the Apostle Paul writes in every letter on the topic of love in the Church.

Whereas, the Love which Paul speaks about is intended, and able, to cover a multitude of sins.

Whereas, the Love which Paul speaks about is model by our Lord Jesus, who loved us in such a manner.

Whereas, no charge is to be brought against an Elder without two or three witnesses, and without such charges issued, all Elders in the P.C.A. are trusted to be in good standing in their respective presbytery.

Whereas, our current culture is inundated with the practice of sarcasm and mockery towards those with differing views, and whereas such sarcasm is spoken of in Proverbs as being as dangerous as throwing hot brands or arrows.

Therefore, the Teaching Elders, and Ruling Elder, of Vintage Seventy-Three overture the 39th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to insist that all delegates and visitors observe the following practices at the 39th General Assembly (and all future assemblies):

1. All commissioners and visitors will greet and welcome each other with a spirit of charity, regardless of age, accent, presence (or absence) of bow-tie and/or seersucker, or perceived “animating values.”

2. All commissioners and visitors will honor and listen to all speakers addressing the floor of the assembly, even when it is apparent that one is in disagreement on said issue.

3. No commissioner or visitor will enter into destructive talk with any person present at the assembly, either as part of a formal debate or informal discussion.

4. No commissioner or visitor will ever resort to using any other visitor or commissioner as the “butt of a joke” or in a sarcastic manner.

5. All commissioner and visitors will challenge each other to remember, and put into practice, the aforementioned principles and practices.

A print friendly PDF can be downloaded here for inclusion in this year’s Commissioners Handbook

*Don’t worry, the contributors of Vintage73.com understand that said website does not constitute an ordinary court of the church and as such is not entitled to bring any real overture before the Assembly. However the contributors of Vintage73 ask that commissioner and visitors consider implementing the above overture regardless of ecclesiastical authority.

Sam Desocio is a Teaching Elder in the PCA. He lives in Pittsburgh where he is currently the pastor of Grace & Peace Presbyterian Church, a new PCA church plant. He blogs at

Vintage 73.com where this article appeared and is used with permission. Vintage73 is a collaborative blog focusing on the culture and values of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The site was born out of a desire for honest and charitable discussion within and about the PCA.