I suspect that this overture will pass without much debate. This is a very important issue with very practical implications for our everyday life in the church. The prevalence of child sexual abuse may be shocking to some. The sin and effects of child sexual abuse often go unseen, unreported, or unacknowledged. The prevalence of... Continue Reading

There are seven overtures and two agency recommendations coming to the Detroit assembly that all seek to convey criticism of Israel’s human rights record, by harsh words or by BDS economic pressure.  On the other side, there is only one overture casting doubt upon this confrontational strategy. Regarding the rest of the world, there are... Continue Reading

The purpose of this communication is to assist you in pastoral counseling of members of your congregations who are in or considering military service. While our sons and daughters are to be commended for their desire to serve God in the uniformed services (Luke 3:14), we believe it is imperative to counsel them of the... Continue Reading

The Study Committee is recommending the following: 1. That “A Call to Faithful Witness, Part Two: Theology, Gospel Missions, and Insider Movements” serve as a Partial Report (Part Two of Two Parts). And 2. That the 42nd General Assembly make available and recommend for study “A Call to Faithful Witness, Part Two: Theology, Gospel Missions,... Continue Reading

Philadelphia Presbytery overtures 42nd GA to establish a study committee in order to clarify and define the general principles of biblical polity referenced in the third ordination vow (BCO 21-5, 3rd Vow), and their application to gender and the office of elder, and to evaluate whether or not the constitution should be amended….   At... Continue Reading

One overture proposes amendments to the Rules of Assembly Operation (RAO) 17-1, seeking to clarify the meaning of the review authority of the Committee on Constitutional Business (CCB) of cases decided by the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC). The second overture proposes amendments to the Book of Church Order (BCO) 15-3, which would allow the General... Continue Reading

“We urge all church leaders to use their influence for the protection of children, by any and all godly means, including preaching and teaching against the heinous sin of child sexual abuse, warning anyone with knowledge of these sins to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose 1 them” (Ephesians... Continue Reading

First, what is the GA? It is the annual meeting of representatives of the churches that make up the PCA. A fuller description of the GA is found in Chapter 14 of the BCO. I recommend that you read it. The GA meets at different locations around the nation, usually in a city that has... Continue Reading

Cascades Presbytery has approved an overture (Ovt. 021) that completely re-writes the Book of Order’s section on marriage – W4.9000, to “to allow marriage between ‘two people’ rather than limiting marriage to ‘between one man and one woman’ and to allow PCUSA church officials to perform marriage ceremonies between same sex couples,” according to the overture’s rationale.... Continue Reading

At its stated meeting on September 10, 2013, Grace Presbytery (South Mississippi) approved an overture on changing some of the judicial processes in the Presbyterian Church in America. The overture recommends that the PCA General Assembly amend its Book of Church Order 15-5 which deals with the decisions of the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC).  ... Continue Reading