Among key recommendations: a day of prayer and fasting for revival (as amended), thanksgiving for adult professions of faith, and gratitude for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The committee also voted to keep current BCO language on deacons, rejecting overtures to allow women in the office, while advancing several targeted amendments on judicial processes, session records, and other matters.

The Overtures Committee convened Monday morning to begin its work. Teaching Elder Guy Waters was elected chairman and Teaching Elder Jonathan Master as vice chairman.

The committee recommended answering Overture 4 from Pacific Northwest Presbytery, “Docket a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Adult Professions of Faith,” in the affirmative. The vote was 129-0.

The committee recommended answering Overtures 50 from Mississippi Valley, “Call for a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Revival and Renewal of the Church,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 130-1-0. The overture was amended by 1) expanding the time for observance to “September 2026, or as soon thereafter as is practical” and 2) by adding “North” to America so that the geographical reference is North America.

OC recommended answering Overture 66 from Philadelphia Presbytery, “Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving on the Occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s Founding,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 91-30-5. Here is the amended language:

Therefore, be it resolved that the 53rd General Assembly encourages all congregations in the Presbyterian Church in America to give thanks to the Lord for the United States of America as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s Founding.

OC recommended answering Overture 76 from Calvary Presbytery, Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving for the United States of America (USA) on the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s Founding, with reference to Overture 66. The vote was 125-3.

OC recommended answering Overture 89 from Fellowship Presbytery, “Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving for the United States of America (USA) on the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s Founding,” with reference to Overture 66. The vote was 125-3-1.

Overtures Committee voted to recommend answering Overture 37 from Pacific Presbytery, “Amend BCO 9-3 to Allow Women to Serve as Ordained Deacons,” in the negative. The vote was 115-14-1. The committee adopted the following grounds:  “Our Constitutional documents are a sufficient expression of the Biblical warrant, nature, qualifications, and duties of Deacons.”

OC recommended answering overtures 14, 34, 36, 38, 48 52, 71, and 74 with reference to Overture 37. The vote was 110-23.

OC recommended to answer Overture 72 from Ascension Presbytery, “Add a new BCO 12-8 to Require Recording of Session and Diaconate Members in Session Minutes,” in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 85-42. Here is the amended language:

12-8. Every Session shall annually record in its minutes a list of all persons who comprise the Session and the Diaconate.

The committee voted to answer Overture 61 from Calvary Presbytery, “Declare the ‘Danvers Statement’ as a Biblically Faithful Declaration,” in the affirmative. The vote was 66-64-3.

The committee voted to recommend answering Overture 15 from Southwest Florida Presbytery, “Amend BCO 42-4 and 43-3 to Clarify the Deadline for Filings,” in the affirmative. The vote was 112-12-5.

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