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
Second Session - Wednesday Morning
June 15, 2005
33-7 Assembly Reconvenes
The Assembly reconvened at 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2005, with prayer by the Moderator.
33-8 Partial Report of the Stated Clerk
TE L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk, presented his report (Handbook, p. 201ff). He reviewed the statistical portions of his report. He recognized the churches who were added to or lost from the denomination since the last Assembly.
The Stated Clerk reported on the BCO Amendments Sent Down to Presbyteries for Voting (Handbook, p. 251-55). Items 1 and 2, having received concurrence of three-fourths of the presbyteries, were adopted.
The Assembly ratified the recommendations of the Stated Clerk in receiving Communications 1-4.
33-09 Personal Resolution #1 from TE Steven Warhurst et. al
The following personal resolution was received and referred to the Committee on Bills and Overtures:
Whereas, the Bible commands fathers to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4), and all parents who have had a child baptized in the Presbyterian Church in America have taken a vow to strive by all the means of God’s appointment to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (BCO 56-5); and
Whereas, a truly Christian education begins with the
fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10), and teaches children to think biblically about
all of life (2 Cor. 10:5; Rom. 12:2;
Dt. 6:6-9); and
Whereas, the public school system does not offer a Christian education, but officially claims to be “neutral” with regard to Christ, a position that Christ Himself said was impossible (Lk. 11:23), and
Whereas, the public schools are by law humanistic and secular in their instruction, and as a result the attending children receive an education without positive reference to the Triune God; and
Whereas, some courageous teachers in our congregations disregard this law. Obeying God rather than men, they try to give their students a truly Christian education (Acts 4:18-20). This resolution should not be construed to discourage these adult believers who faithfully labor as missionaries to unbelieving colleagues and students. However, these rare exceptions should not lead anyone to believe the public schools are regularly giving children a truly Christian education; and
Whereas, sending thousands of PCA children as “missionaries” to their unbelieving teachers and classmates has failed to contribute to increasing holiness in the public schools. On the contrary, the Nehemiah Institute documents growing evidence that the public schools are successfully converting covenant children to secular humanism; and
Whereas, we are squandering a great opportunity to instruct these children in the truth of God’s word and its application to all of life;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 33rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America encourages all her officers and members to remove their children from the public schools and see to it that they receive a thoroughly Christian education, for the glory of God and the good of Christ’s church.
TE Steven Warhurst, TE D. James Kennedy, RE Joel Belz, TE Ronald Gleason, TE Jim Schirmer, TE C. Michael Chastain, RE Greg Beaupied.
33-10 Personal Resolution from RE Fred Greco
A personal resolution from RE Greco was not received by the Assembly.
33-11 Personal Resolution #2 from TE Peter Lillback
The following personal resolution was received and referred to the Committee on Bills and Overtures:
I would move that the 33rd General Assembly of the PC meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, remind the PCA presbyteries that 2006 will be the tri-centennial of the first presbytery meeting in North America, and that if possible:
1. The individual presbyteries celebrate this fact by appropriate means in presbytery or church meetings;
2. The 34th PCA General Assembly meeting next year in Atlanta consider having an appropriate historical focus in its pre-Assembly conferences;
3. A prayer of thanksgiving be offered to our covenant God at our 34th General Assembly for His faithfulness to His people in the Reformed tradition for these past three centuries in North America;
4. If such celebrations occur in various contexts that presbyteries be encouraged to participate if appropriate.
The Assembly paused to sing “Joy to the World,” hymn #195.
33-12 CoC on InterChurch Relations
TE J. Alan Carter, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 905-8). Recommendations 1-11 were adopted.
The Chairman yielded to Dr. William Barker, Chairman of the InterChurch Relations Committee, who introduced the following fraternal delegates who brought fraternal greetings: Rev. John Dawson (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church), Rev. Peter Wallace (Orthodox Presbyterian Church), Rev. Russell Ragon (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) and Rev. Allen Vander Pol (United Reformed Churches of North America). He also introduced Dr. Samuel Logan (World Reformed Fellowship), Rev. Chong Soo Lim and Rev. Tae Jun (The Presbyterian Church of Seoul, Korea), Rev. Malcolm Maclean (Free Church of Scotland), and Rev. Andrew MacGowan (Highlands Theological College).
33-13 Special Order: 11:15 a.m.
RE Frank Brock, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, led the Assembly in prayer. He explained the background of the committee, introduced committee members, and presented their report (Handbook, p. 2201ff). He yielded to TE Dave Clelland, who also reported on the Committee’s work and suggested recommendations for the 2004 and 2005 General Assemblies. The Chairman then explained that the Assembly would act on this year’s recommendations during the CoC on Administrative Committee report.
33-14 Appointment of Committee on Thanks
The Moderator appointed the following men to serve as the Committee on Thanks: TE Henry Lewis Smith (Convenor), TE Paul Settle, RE David O’Steen and RE John Mulkey.
33-15 Assembly Recesses
The Assembly recessed with prayer by RE Frank Brock at 12:05 PM to reconvene at 1:30 p.m.
Third Session - Wednesday Afternoon
June 15, 2005
33-16 Assembly Reconvenes
The Assembly reconvened at 1:31 p.m. on June 15, 2005, with the singing of “It is Well with My Soul” and prayer by RE Richard Chewning.
33-17 Informational Report of Administrative Committee
TE Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk, presented the Informational Report of the Committee.
33-18 Informational Report of Committee on Christian Education and Publications
TE Charles Dunahoo, Coordinator, presented the Informational Report of the Committee. He presented a plaque to TE Jack Scott in honor of his long-term ministry of preparing Biblical study guides for the church. He introduced TE Tom Patete, who reported on the work of Great Commission Publications. TE Paul Settle also spoke to the Assembly about the history of this thirty-year partnership between the OPC and the PCA. TE Chris Yates spoke to the Assembly about his use of GCP materials in his ministry. TE Patete led the Assembly in prayer, which included thanks for the life and ministry of Jack Scott and intercession for his son, Tom, and his upcoming eye surgery later this month.
33-19 Report of CoC on Covenant College
RE
Albert Leavengood, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the
report (Handbook, pp. 1311-12). He yielded to Niel Nielson, President of the
College, who addressed the Assembly. Recommendations 1-3 and 5-8 were adopted.
Recommendation 4 was deferred to the report of CoC on
Administrative Committee.
TE George Robertson led the Assembly in prayer.
33-20 Informational Report of Covenant Theological Seminary
TE Bryan Chapell, President, presented the Informational Report of the Seminary.
33-21 Informational Report of Mission to the World Committee
TE Paul Kooistra, Coordinator, presented the Informational Report of the Committee.
33-22 Report of the Standing Judicial Commission
RE John White Jr., Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 2001ff.) which was received. RE White closed in prayer.
33-23 James River Presbytery’s Objection
The Assembly found James River Presbytery’s Objection to Decision of Standing Judicial Commission (Handbook, p. 2067ff) in temperate language and respectful to the court, ordered it recorded in the Minutes of the Assembly, and answered it by reference to the Concurring Opinion (Handbook, p. 2025) (BCO 45-5).
33-24 Informational Report of Mission to North America Committee
TE Jim Bland, Coordinator, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the Informational Report of the Committee, which included comments from Alex Villasana (Hispanic American Movement leader), Ron Haynes (Disaster Relief Response Director), Chaplain Seth George (Chaplains Ministries), Nancy Booher (English as a Second Language Director), and Donny St. Germaine (Hatian Movement leader).
33-25 Informational Report of the PCA Foundation
RE Randall Stair, President, presented the Informational Report of the Foundation.
The Assembly
paused to sing “Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?”
hymn #292, another hymn written by TE Clowney.
33-26 Informational Report of the PCA Retirement & Benefits, Inc.
RE Bill
Kuh, President, presented the Informational Report of the Committee, which
included comments from RE Rock Brockman (incoming chairman of their board) and
RE Gerry Campbell.
33-27 Informational Report of Reformed University Ministries
TE Rod Mays, Coordinator, presented the Informational Report of the Committee, which included comments from TE Steve Malone (pastor), RE David Woodard (professor), and RE Miles and Mrs. Marsha Gresham (parents).
33-28 Informational Report on Byfaith Magazine
TE L. Roy Taylor presented the Informational Report of the Committee, which included comments from Dick Doster (Editor), TE Bryan Chapell, TE J. Ligon Duncan III, and TE Paul Kooistra.
33-29 Report of Committee on Constitutional Business
RE Dan Carrell, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 271-72) and first supplemental report (Handbook, p. 273) as information.
33-30 Report of CoC on Reformed University Ministries
TE Alan Johnson, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 813-14). Recommendations 1-5 and 7-9 were adopted. Recommendation 6 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee. TE Stuart Stogner led the Assembly in prayer for the work of RUM.
33-31 Report of CoC on Mission to North America
TE George Mitchell, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 621-24). Recommendations 1-8 and 10-17 were adopted. Recommendation 9 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administration.
33-32 Report of CoC on Christian Education and Publications
TE Howard Davis, Chairman, led the Assembly in prayer and presented the report (Handbook, p. 507-8). Recommendations 1-2 and 4-15 were adopted. Recommendation 3 was deferred to the report of CoC on Administrative Committee.
33-33 Assembly Recesses
The Assembly recessed with prayer by RE Jack Williamson, to reconvene for worship at 8:00 p.m. and for business at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
