Though we decry what we see as a lack of wisdom in Vanderbilt’s policy, our consciences are clear that we have not shirked our responsibilities by remaining on campus at Vanderbilt. Why? Because to date it has not enforced this policy in such a way that binds our consciences, impelling us to leave.

First order of business was to bring forward 37 of the EPC’s world missionaries for prayer and recognition. Across the stage stood singles and couple’s representing the 324-church denomination’s work in Afghanistan, Belarus, Guatemala, and England among other locations.

Thanks partly to Southern Baptist conservatism, the states where it dominates remain the nation’s bedrock of opposition to unrestricted abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and secularist usurpations on religious liberty

After the Thursday evening worship service, the Assembly reconvened with the plan to complete all their business and then adjourn, meaning they would not have to meet again on Friday morning.

On a vote with a majority of about 60%, the General Assembly on Thursday approved an overture from Potomac Presbytery that asked that no 'in thesi' statement be made concerning evolution and Adam.

As the General Assembly resumed business on Thursday after the morning seminars, the first item of business taken up was the Review of Presbytery Records. It is the work of this committee to review records from the previous calendar year of all Presbyteries in the denomination. This is a long, arduous process and that committee now meets a month prior to the assembly to complete their work.

372 (young evangelical) audience members had the opportunity to answer electronically this question, "Do you believe churches should advocate contraception for their single 20-somethings?" Almost two-thirds voted yes. News reports trumpeted that result as evidence that the debate over contraceptive use by the unmarried is over, since even evangelicals favor it.

McKissic, who is black, said it was "an unfair comparison" for gays to equate same-sex marriage with civil rights because there is not incontrovertible scientific evidence that homosexuality is an innate characteristic, like skin color. "They're equating their sin with my skin," he said

A packed house of presbyters, many toting Bibles under their arms, could set them aside for the evening as entertainment was clearly the goal of the initial gathering.

Since the delegates (called messengers) voted by a show of ballot, no official count was taken. Baptist Press reported that "perhaps 10-20 percent of messengers voted against it." One delegate said he thought the percentage was more than that—perhaps as high as 40 percent.