Unofficial Record of Actions Taken - 33rd General Assembly, Chattanooga, TN, 2005
Disclaimer: Please note that this narrative is provided for your convenience in following the business conducted on the floor of the General Assembly. They are not the official record or minutes of the Assembly and should not be misconstrued to be such.
Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday
Fourth Session - Thursday Morning
June 16, 2005
33-34 Assembly Reconvenes
The Assembly reconvened at 10:00 a.m. on June 16, 2005, with the singing of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”, hymn #53, and prayer by TE Peter Lillback.
33-35 Introduction and Greetings
TE Lillback introduced Dr. Gordon Campbell (Academic Dean, Seminary in Aux en Provence) and Rev. Pascal Geoffroy (President of the Board), and Dr. Campbell brought greetings.
33-36 Committee on Thanks
TE Bill Lyle was appointed to replace TE Henry Lewis Smith on the Committee on Thanks and as convenor.
33-37 Minutes of the Assembly
The Minutes of Sessions One through Three (Tuesday and Wednesday) were distributed, and the Moderator asked the Assembly to submit additions and/or corrections to the clerks.
33-38 Informational Report on Ridge Haven
TE Mo up de Graff, Director, presented the Informational Report.
33-39 Report of the CoC on Ridge Haven
TE Curtis E. Presley III, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1705-6). Recommendations 1-4 and 6-8 were adopted. Recommendation 5 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee.
33-40 Report of the CoC on PCA Foundation
RE William R Stanway, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1505-6). Recommendations 1 and 3-4 were adopted. Recommendation 2 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee.
33-41 Report of Theological Examining Committee
TE J. Ligon Duncan III led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1101-2) as information.
33-42 Report of the CoC on PCA Retirement and Benefits Inc.
RE Matthew R. Moore, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1607-8). Recommendations 1-8 were adopted.
33-43 Report of the CoC on Mission to the World
TE Robert Ferguson, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 723-4). Recommendations 1-4 and 6-7 were adopted. Recommendation 5 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee.
33-44 Report of the CoC on Covenant Theological Seminary
TE Sam Joyner, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1407-8). Recommendations 1-5 and 7 were adopted. Recommendation 6 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee.
33-45 Report of the CoC on Administrative Committee
TE Sam Joyner, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 311-2). Recommendations 1-7, and 9 were adopted.
Recommendation 8 was divided. Recommendation 8a (proposed amendment to BCO 15-4) was amended to add (Handbook, p. 2291, line 16) “Discipline, except for the annual Review of Presbytery Records, which may” and referred to CCB for advice and consent. A motion to defer all matters related to this recommendation to the 34th General Assembly was defeated. Recommendation 8b (proposed amendment to BCO 40-5) was adopted.
33-46 Assembly Recesses
The Assembly recessed at 12:05 PM with prayer by RE John Spencer to reconvene at 1:30 PM.
Fifth Session - Thursday Afternoon
June 16, 2005
33-47 Assembly Reconvened
The Assembly reconvened at 1:35 PM with prayer by TE Joseph Pipa.
33-48 Report of the CoC on Administrative Committee
TE Sam Joyner, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and resumed the report.
Recommendation 10 was editorially corrected to agree with Minutes of the 32nd GA, p. 148, recommendation 6 (total receipts, not budget), amended to add “ruling elders and teaching elders called by their churches who come” (Handbook, p. 310, line 6), and adopted.
Recommendation 11 was adopted, after a motion to suspend the RAO to have matters relating to the SPC come before the 34th General Assembly through the Committee on Bills and Overtures failed to obtain the necessary majority of registered commissioners. On motion, the Assembly adopted a motion to have the
Recommendation 12 was adopted. Recommendation 13 was adopted contingent upon action on the recommendation of the Committee on Bills and Overture.
33-49 Report of the Nominating Committee
RE Fred Greco, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 1025-27). Recommendation 1 was adopted, thus electing all uncontested nominees. Recommendation 2 was adopted, and the following nominees were elected:
Committee on Mission to the World, Class of 2010, RE Hugh S. Potts
Committee on Reformed University Ministries, Alternate, RE Donald Guthrie
Committee on Ridge Haven, Class of 2010, RE Pat Underhill
Standing Judicial Commission, Class of 2009, TE John M. McArthur
33-50 Standing Judicial Commission
The Moderator administered the oath of office to all the members of the Standing Judicial Commission present, and the Assembly, on motion, declared the Standing Judicial Commission to be the Judicial Commission of this Assembly in accord with BCO 15-4.
33-51 Report of CoC on Bills and Overtures
TE Rick Phillips, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 131-144). Recommendations 1-11 were adopted. In debate on Recommendation 9, a motion to suspend the RAO to establish a third Ad-Interim committee failed to obtain the necessary majority of registered commissioners. A minority report on recommendation 10 was defeated.
The following commissioners registered their negative votes on Recommendation 9:
The following commissioners registered their negative votes on Recommendation 10:
33-52 Assembly Recessed
The Assembly recessed at 5:30 PM with prayer by TE Steven Warhurst to reconvene for worship at 7:30 PM and for business following the worship service.
