CORRECTIONS MADE TO OVERTURE (RECOMMENDATIONS) ON JAN 25 AT 3:00PM
The church proposes a Study Committee to determine the best way for the Presbyterian Church in America to communicate with presbyteries, churches, elders, deacons, congregants, fellow evangelicals…and, to recommend a funding mechanism that is a permanent solution to the Administrative Committee funding,

On Monday evening, January 24, the session of Grace Presbyterian adopted the following overture to be considered at the February 5, 2011 of the Ohio Presbytery, to be held at Redeemer PCA in Hudson, Ohio.

The full text of the overture follows:

Whereas, as a denomination, we are committed to the peace, purity and unity of the church,

Whereas, as a denomination we have set up our denominational structures as “para-church” agencies, in order to avoid a hierarchical structure,

Whereas, we recognize the vital importance of the Administrative Committee to the functioning of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and thus recognize the need to support the Committee in its functions — providing the essential legal, administrative and support services needed for our connected churches,

Whereas, we recognize the continuing importance of community that is modeled for us in Holy Scripture, which is opposed to the “rugged individualism,” so characteristic of 21st Century American culture,

Whereas, the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter I, Section 6) encourages us to use reason and the light of nature to guide us,

Whereas, we have the advantages of being Presbyterian Church in America churches and should seek therefore to fulfill all our responsibilities,

Whereas, the PCA budgets about $750,000 on communications within the church and outside the church,

Whereas, the Ohio Presbytery voted not to approve the BCO Amendments 14-1 and 14-2 regarding the proposed funding plan,

Whereas, the Administrative Committee has struggled financially with pay cuts and has depended for many years on budget cuts and the generosity of a few individuals and churches, due to the lack of voluntary gifts from the churches,

Be it resolved that a study committee be appointed by the 2011 General Assembly to consider the best way for the Presbyterian Church in America to communicate with presbyteries, churches, elders, deacons, congregants, fellow evangelicals and — most importantly — the Gospel message to those who have not yet been called into Christ’s kingdom, and

Recommend a funding mechanism that is a permanent solution to the Administrative Committee funding.

Whilst these deliberations are taking place, we urge all churches in our presbytery and denomination to consider all the functions of the Administrative Committee and voluntarily give, for, as Paul wrote in II Corinthians 9:5-8 (ESV)

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Adopted this date, January 24, 2011, in Hudson, Ohio by the session of Grace Presbyterian Church of the Western Reserve