On the changes to Section 1, the vote was: 22 for, 4 against, 2 abstain
On the changes to Section 2, the vote was: 23 for, 4 against, 1 abstain

The 144th Stated Meeting of Central Georgia Presbytery was held on Saturday, September 11th at the Perry Presbyterian Church in Perry, Georgia. During the meeting, by overwhelming majorities, the Presbytery voted to approve the two controversial proposed changes to Book of Church Order, Chapter 14.

These changes, approved by the General Assembly in June, would change the constitution to allow the requirement of fees to be paid by churches and Teaching Elders to support the work of the denominations Administrative Committee. Those not paying the required fees would not be allowed to vote at future Assemblies.

On the changes to Section 1, the vote was: 22 for, 4 against, 2 abstain

On the changes to Section 2, the vote was: 23 for, 4 against, 1 abstain

There was an almost even balance between Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders present for the meeting. Central Georgia Presbytery has over 40 Teaching Elders on the rolls, as well as 16 churches, which would have allowed for more than 72 members to vote at the meeting. There were 45 Elders enrolled at the beginning of the day, but the BCO Changes were docketed later and that resulted in what one member referred to as the ‘sad but usual attrition.’

During the discussion time the question was raised of whether these changes would present a hardship on smaller churches. It was pointed out that there is provision made for hardship circumstances.

Another point made was that it seemed that it would be the larger churches who logically have more room for complaint since their contributions could go up.

No one outside the Presbytery was present to speak to the issue prior to the vote at this meeting, nor at any time prior to the meeting.

As of today, according to news reports, there have been two Presbyteries voting against the changes, and just one for the changes.