On January 26, 2011, the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC) announced that the proposed overtures to BCO 14 appeared not to have the presbyteries’ support and expressed their hope that other alternative approaches would be submitted and studied.

On January 2, 2011, the Session of Midway PCA in Powder Springs, GA, approved the overture referenced previously in these pages. http://bit.ly/eiggd0

On January 26, 2011, the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC) announced that the proposed overtures to BCO 14 appeared not to have the presbyteries’ support and expressed their hope tht other alternative approaches would be submitted and studied. We agree with most observers that, for the foreseeable future, any plan that abandons voluntary funding is unlikely to receive the needed support from the presbyteries. The CMC, thus, may recommend other alternatives in 2012 or encourage other sound recommendations from other elderships to be supported.

On January 29, 2011, the Northwest Georgia Presbytery approved the overture http://bit.ly/acosb9 as a constructive and possible way forward—both to retain the voluntary approach to giving and to fund adequately the essential AC work.

This overture will thus be referred to the General Assembly in June 2011, and we believe that it merits support and at least a trial (since it requires simple action by the 39th Assembly), even until/unless other presbyteries, committees, and study groups overture methods that may also attract the support of the broader church.

We look forward to positive and renewed dialogue from all parts of the church for ways to (1) balance the AC budget, (2) best fund the essential work of the Assembly, and (3) to include all who wish to participate on an affordable basis.

The originators of this overture also hope that many other sessions and presbyteries will roll up their sleeves and look for solutions that are fair, practical, biblical, and prudent. This could lead to a revived interest in finding good solutions and spur us toward greater faithfulness and mutual support. Our prayer is that this plan will induce others to think creatively, responsibly, and with an eye toward the good of the whole to build up Christ’s church and strengthen our corporate witness. We humbly commend our thoughts to the wider church, thanking God for our church’s so many excellent minds and hearts, which will surely lead us forward in strong unity and balanced stewardship.

David W. Hall is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Georgia