THIRTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Second Session - Wednesday Morning

June 11, 2003

31-9  Assembly Reconvenes

            The Assembly reconvened at 10:00 AM on June 11, 2003 with the singing of “O Thou Who the Shepherd of Israel Art” and prayer by TE Thomas VandenHeuval.  Without objection, the deadline for Personal Resolutions was changed to 4:00 PM. 

31-10Personal Resolution #1 from TE Bill Leuzinger

The following Personal Resolution was received and referred to CCB and CoC on Bills and Overtures.

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has called upon the denomination to be committed to reconciliation; and

WHEREAS, the 30^th General Assembly approved appending the document entitled “Biblical Conflict Resolution” to the BCO; and

WHEREAS, that document affirms that “Biblical peacemaking is one of God’s highest priorities (Matt. 5:23-24; Rom. 12:18; Gal.6:1); therefore, it must be one of our highest priorities”; and

WHEREAS, that document states: “The Bible sets forth a process for resolving personal and substantive disputes in a constructive manner.  This process is sometimes referred to as ‘Christian conciliation’ and it may be used to resolve everything from minor personal differences to church divisions or lawsuits involving church members”; and

WHEREAS, that document also states; “There are many benefits to resolving disputes through Christian conciliation.  It prevents a public quarrel that would dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ and diminish the credibility and witness of His Church.  Conciliation also allows Christians to demonstrate their faith in Christ and their confidence in His teachings (John 13:34; 14:15; 17:20-23).  In addition, conciliation encourages forgiveness and promotes reconciliation, which can help to preserve valuable relationships and strengthen the church (Eph.4:29-32; Col.3:12-17)”: and

WHEREAS, Rocky Mountain Presbytery communicated with the General Assembly in 2002 its strong support for the adoption of the concept of “Biblical Conflict Resolution” and urged that the proposal be incorporated into the BCO (M30GA, pp.297-98); and

WHEREAS, Overture 28 from Missouri and Rocky Mountain Presbyteries to this General Assembly also affirms the importance of Biblical conciliation; and

WHEREAS, we should be willing to put these principles of Christian conciliation into practice and not maintain them only as ideals with no practical application; and

WHEREAS, a dispute has arisen between North Florida Presbytery and Westminster Presbytery with regard to jurisdiction and the restoration of a disciplined minister; and

WHEREAS, the invoking of judicial process in an effort to resolve this dispute may be counterproductive, and, in the words of the 30^th General Assembly, could produce “a public quarrel that would dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ and diminish the credibility and witness of His Church”;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the undersigned hereby petition the General Assembly to encourage, or, if need be, to instruct these two sister presbyteries to discuss any matters of dispute between them, with the use of mediators and/or arbitrators, to be named by the Committee on Review of Presbytery Records.

On behalf of the Anthony Dallison Judicial Commission

Westminster Presbytery,

TE Bill Leuzinger

31-11 Partial Report of the Stated Clerk

            The Stated Clerk reported on the Presbytery’s Voting on BCO Amendments sent down for Advice and Consent (Handbook, p.251ff.).  Item 1 did not receive the concurrence of the necessary number of presbyteries.  Items 3 and 4, having received the concurrence of the necessary number of presbyteries, were adopted. 

The Clerk reported that, on Item 2, Covenant Presbytery had reconsidered its vote, and the current Presbytery vote tally was FOR:  45 and AGAINST:  19.  A point of order was made that the motion to adopt be found out of order because it had not received concurrence of three-fourths of the presbyteries.  The Moderator ruled the motion in order because BCO requires two-thirds of the presbyteries concurrence on a BCO amendment, and the three-fourths is required for amendment to the Confessional Standards.

            Time having expired on the issue, a request for a secret ballot vote was denied by the Assembly.  Item 2 was adopted by a vote of 816-545.  The following commissioners registered their negative vote on the adoption of Item 2:  TE K. Hugh Acton; TE Jon Anderson; TE David Barker; TE Timothy B Bayly; RE Tom Bingham; TE Craig Bulkeley; TE David Coffin; TE Michael Coleman; RE Barry Cureton; TE A. Trevor Downie; TE J.D. Dusenberry; TE Henry Fernandez; RE Tim France; RE Eugene Friedline; RE Peter Gagliordi; TE David Gilleran; TE Eric Allen Greene; RE Vaughn Hamilton; TE Malcolm Douglas Hart; TE Benjamin Inman; TE David Innes; TE Arnold Johnson; RE Flynt Jones; TE Larry Jones; TE Ozzie Kenyon; RE Richard Larson; RE James Linton; RE John Mardirosian; TE Joshua Martin; TE James McGoldrick; TE Frank D. Moser; TE Mark O'Neill; RE David O'Steen; RE Herbert Parker; TE Randolph Patterson; RE Neill H. Payne; TE Richard D. Phillips; TE Joseph Pipa; TE John R. Riddle RE Christopher Robertson; TE Gary Roop; TE Mark A. Scholten; TE Benjamin Shaw; TE Morton Smith; TE Byron Snapp; RE Eugene Speer; TE Steve Stout; TE Jason Strong; TE Philip Strong TE Gene Thompson; TE Ted Trefsger; TE Bernie van Eyk; TE C.N. Willborn.

31-12Recess to worship

On motion, the Assembly excused the Committee on Bills and Overtures to meet during worship due to the heavy weight of committee business.  The Assembly recessed at 11:22 AM to worship with prayer by the Moderator.

Third Session – Wednesday Afternoon

June 11, 2003

31-13   Assembly Reconvenes

            The Assembly reconvened at 1:31 PM with the singing of “O the deep, deep love of Jesus” and prayer by RE Tom Bingham.  On motion, the Assembly amended the docket to designate the partial report of CoC on MNA at 4:45 PM an Order of the Day.

31-14  Partial Report of the Committee on Review of Presbytery Records

            TE Ted Trefsgar, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1201-4).  Recommendation 56.b. was adopted.

31-15  Partial Report of the Stated Clerk

            TE L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk, presented his report (Handbook, pp.201ff).  The Stated Clerk reviewed the statistical portions of his reports.  He recognized the churches who were added to or lost from the denominational since the last Assembly (Handbook, p. 203-4). 

            The Assembly ratified the recommendation of the Clerk in referring three communications (Handbook, p. 85-55).

            RAO amendment (Handbook, p. 342) was adopted by a clear 2/3 majority of commissioners present, which was also a clear majority of commissioners registered.

31-16    Partial Report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures

TE Don Clements, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 131).  He yielded to TE Craig Childs, Chairman of Committee on Constitutional Business, who presented the Committee’s advice on this matter.  He yielded to RE Jay Niekirk, a member of the CCB who was in the minority on this matter.  TE David Bryant, a member of Bills and Overtures, presented the majority Recommendation 1.  TE Clements moved as a substitute motion “that Overture 23 be answered in the affirmative”, which was adopted and became the main motion. 

The following amendment (Handbook, p. 131) was adopted:

1. Amend “RAO” 13-5.d by adding the following as a new second sentence.  “Germane Amendments to overtures and recommendations Amendments intended to further the purposes of the originating body shall not be understood to constitute new business.”

2. Add a new “RAO” 13-6.e (and renumber accordingly) to read, “Reference to overtures by number with brief statement of content and recommended answer.  Amendments to the original overture shall be reported and explained.  While Deference should be shown to the intent of the body presenting the overture, any amendment that is germane according to Robert’s Rules of Order may be proposed by the Committee.  If the Committee of Commissioners proposes an amendment to a proposal to change the Constitution, the Committee on Constitutional Business shall provide advice as per ‘RAO’ 7-2.”

The main motion as amended was adopted with a clear 2/3 majority of commissioners present, which was also a clear majority of commissioners registered.

31-17  Personal Privilege

            The Moderator granted a moment of personal privilege to TE D.J. Kennedy, who read portions of two communications from elected government officials. 

31-18 Personal Resolution #2 from TE Peter Lillbach

            TE Peter Lillbach presented the following Personal Resolution, which was received and referred to Committee on Bills and Overtures:

It is my request that the letters from Senator Talent and Congresswoman Musgrave, referred to by Dr. D. James Kennedy, be distributed to the Commissioners of the 31^st General Assembly as at least “personal communications” by federal government leaders, if not in fact as “official requests by our government”, as some who have also received them also believe them to be, and moreover that such distribution to be without expense to the General Assembly, being funded by other means.

31-19  Personal Resolution #3 from Covenant Presbytery

            The following Personal Resolution from Covenant Presbytery was received and referred to Committee on Bills and Overtures: 

At the stated meeting of Covenant Presbytery on May 27, 2003, the presbytery voted to appoint me, Teaching Elder, Robert D. Thacker, as their representative to make the following personal resolution informing the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America that Covenant Presbytery concurs with and supports Overture 6 from our brothers in the New Jersey Presbytery.

31-20 Report of the Standing Judicial Commission

TE Robert Ferguson, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented amendments to SJC Manual (Handbook, p. 2027), which were adopted.

31-21  CoC on InterChurch Relations

TE Julian Dusenbury, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 907-9). Recommendations 1-7 were adopted.  He yielded to TE William Barker, Chairman of the InterChurch Relations Committee, who introduced the following fraternal delegates:  Rev. Robert Eckert (Orthodox Presbyterian Church), Rev. James Kim (Korean American Presbyterian Church), and Dr. Robert Cara (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church).  TE Barker then introduced Rev. Robert Cameron (Free Church in Scotland).  Dr. Barker reported on the work of the work of the Permanent Committee.  The Assembly adopted a motion “that the permanent InterChurch Relations Committee be instructed to prepare for the next General Assembly profiles of the other member churches of NAPARC, including a history of the Church, their size and growth record, as well as distinctives and major actions of recent years, to help the Assembly gain a greater understanding of these Churches.”  The report was closed with prayer by TE Dusenbury.

31-22   CoC on Covenant College

TE Michael McLaughlin, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer.  He introduced Dr. Niel Nielson, President of the College, who introduced Gary Halvarson and Tiffiny Chan, two Covenant students who spoke of their impressions of and experiences at Covenant.  Dr. Nielson then spoke of the ministry of the college.

The Chairman presented the report (Handbook, p. 1321).  Recommendations 1-3, 4-8 were adopted.  Recommendation 4 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administration. 

The Assembly paused to sing “All for Jesus”.

31-23  Partial Report of the Nominating Committee

RE Bill Mitchell led the Assembly in prayer and presented the Committee’s recommendation (Handbook, p. 1002, lines 44-48), which was adopted.

31-24 Appointment of Committee on Thanks

The Moderator appointed the following men to serve as the Committee on Thanks:  TE Henry Lewis Smith (Convenor) and RE Dwight Clark.

31-25CoC on MNA

TE Phil Ryken, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 651-55).  He yielded to TE Bland, Chairman of the MNA Committee, who introduced the following men who gave reports:  TE Glen Hoburg (Church Planter moving to Washington DC), TE Alex Villasana (MNA Ethnic church planter), TE Patrick Womack (Revitilization), Cdr. George Ridgeway (Chaplain, U.S. Navy), and Deacon Ron Haynes (Mercy Ministry and Disaster Relief).

Recommendations 1-8,10-14 were adopted.  Recommendation 9 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administration. TE Ryken closed the report with prayer.

31-26CoC on RUM

TE David Gordon, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 814).  He introduced TE Rod Mays, Coordinator, who reported on the work of RUM.  He introduced three RUM campus ministers who reported on their work:  Tom Cannon, Bart Moseman, and Kevin Teasley.  Recommendations 1-5,7-9 were adopted.  Recommendation 4 was deferred to the report of the CoC on Administration.

31-27Recess

The Assembly recessed at 5:38 PM with prayer by TE Tony Giles to reconvene for business at 7:30 PM.

Fourth Session – Wednesday Evening

June 11, 2003

31-28Assembly Reconvenes

The Assembly reconvened at 7:30 PM with the singing of “God the All-terrible” and prayer by TE Peter Jones.

31-29Report of the Committee on Constitutional Business

TE Craig Childs, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p.271ff).  After reviewing the report, the Assembly received it as information.  Without objection, Personal Resolution #1 from TE Bill Leuzinger was removed from the Committee’s business.

31-30Report of CoC on Christian Education and Publications

TE Patrick Curles, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 509ff).  He yielded to TE Charles Dunahoo, Coordinator, who reported on the work of CE/P.  Recommendations 1-8,10 were adopted.  Recommendation 9 was deferred to the report of the CoC on Administration.  The Chairman led the Assembly in prayer.

31-31Report of the Standing Judicial Commission

TE Robert Ferguson, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report.  An amendment to the SJC Manual (Handbook, p.2028, lines 102) was adopted. 

On motion, the Assembly declared the SJC to be the Judicial Commission of this Assembly in accord with BCO 15-4.  The Chairman led the Assembly in prayer.

31-32  Report of CoC on MTW

TE Mike Preg, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 717-718).  He yielded to TE Paul Kooistra, Coordinator, who reported on the work of MTW.  A video was shown on “Bridges of Grace”.

Recommendations 1-4,6-7 were adopted.  Recommendation 5 was deferred to the report of the CoC on Administration.  The Chairman led the Assembly in prayer.

31-33  Report of CoC on PCA Foundation

TE James Pakala, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1505-6)  He yielded to Randal Stair, PCAF President, who reported on the work of the Foundation.  Recommendations 1,3-6 were adopted.  Recommendation 2 was deferred to the report of the CoC on Administration. 

31-34  Recess

The Assembly recessed at 9:15 PM with prayer by TE Joe Grider to reconvene at 8:00 AM Thursday morning.