The OPC convened on Wednesday evening on the campus of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (a community about 30 minutes south of Chicago). Approximate 120 commissioners gathered in this ‘delegated’ assembly, where only those Ministers and Elders elected by their Presbyteries are authorized to attend. The Assembly is meeting in the Ozinga Chapel... Continue Reading

“No one wants to be held hostage to a threat from people who don’t like our actions. We made a covenant to be together even if we’re not of the same opinion. We should stay together.” Increasing Power At The Top By an 84 percent majority, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has... Continue Reading

The dues increase related to this action is capped at one percent of total effective salary and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2012. The 219th General Assembly approved increasing the mandatory dues congregations pay to the Board of Pensions benefits plan up to one percent to pay for extending spousal and dependent benefits... Continue Reading

“We did find instances of persons,” she noted, “who, when invited by PCUSA congregations, put the PCUSA in a negative light and the EPC in a positive light.” Without a word from commissioners, the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly quickly approved a set of recommendations for handling the delicate topic of ecumenical relations with the... Continue Reading

“It’s nine o’clock and all is bleak!” Were there an evangelical town crier in Minneapolis, that would have been his cry as the PCUSA General Assembly took up the matter of same-sex marriage Thursday night. Earlier, the Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues had launched toward plenary four bad-news items, each propelled by the... Continue Reading

With fewer than 50 votes making the difference, commissioners approved the overture 373-323-4 The 219th General Assembly voted to send, for a fifth time, an overture that seeks the deletion of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s fidelity-chastity standard, which requires ordained officers to be faithful in marriage between a man and a woman or chaste in... Continue Reading

Now that I’m back in Southern California, where people are reasonable and normal, I have the time to reflect upon the proceedings of the PCA’s 38th General Assembly. In one sense, that assembly has the possibility of becoming a watershed, depending upon—in Sesame Street language—what happens next. I’ll explain what I mean in a moment.... Continue Reading

The committee’s request was approved on Monday by the Theological Issues and Institutions Committee by a vote of 51-4 and was sent to the full GA’s consideration later this week The 2008 Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly formed a special committee to “correct translation problems” in questions 19, 33, 55, 74 and 87 of the... Continue Reading

[First Sentence of Document; Universalism?]: “The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—creates, redeems, sustains, rules and transforms all things and all people.” The 219th General Assembly approved a new constitution for the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Wednesday night (7/7). The new Form of Government (referred to as... Continue Reading

“Breaking Down The Walls”, a heavily slanted, anti-Israel report drafted by the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Middle East Study Committee, was gutted Wednesday by a General Assembly Commissioners’ Committee 14. Supporters from the denomination’s establishment, including a plethora of staff resource persons, a lineup of 16 former General Assembly moderators, and a host of lobbyists bedecked... Continue Reading