On Wednesday the 53rd General Assembly approved the majority of Review of Presbytery Records recommendations and heard reports from Mission to the World, Mission to North America, Covenant College, Covenant Theological Seminary, and others. The Ad Interim Committee on Christian Nationalism also presented its partial report. Full details and vote tallies in the report.

The Assembly reconvened at 8:00 a.m. to resumed its business.

Review of Presbytery Records

The Assembly convened with the report from the Committee for the Review of Presbytery Records. The Assembly approved in omnibus seven General Recommendations and the recommendations that were unanimously recommended by RPR. The Assembly then approved in omnibus the recommendations that received only a few “no” votes in the RPR committee, except for those concerning the minutes of Covenant and Ohio Valley presbyteries. The Assembly then approved in omnibus the remaining recommendations of RPR, except for those concerning Grace, Pacific Northwest, and Eastern Canada presbyteries, and those with minority reports.

Minority Report 1:

Last year, the Assembly cited Nashville Presbytery with an exception of substance for dismissing a minister who was transferred to the Episcopal Church. The presbytery responded by explaining their decision and points of disagreement with the Assembly. RPR is recommending that the Assembly find this response unsatisfactory. A minority report was presented arguing that the presbytery’s response be found satisfactory. The Assembly adopted and approved the minority report.

Minority Report 2:

RPR recommended that the Assembly cite Pacific Presbytery with an exception of substance for erring in not judging a stated difference with the Westminster Standards to be hostile to the system of doctrine. A minority report was presented, encouraging the Assembly to vote against the committee’s recommendation. The Assembly adopted and approved RPR’s recommendation to cite Pacific Presbytery with an exception of substance.

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