wfn.org | Church Polity committee report to General Assembly

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03-July-1996 
 
GA96079 
 
Church Polity committee report to General Assembly 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--The Church Polity committee recommended to the General 
Assembly eight overtures for approval, and four for disapproval including 
one with a minority report. All these overtures recommended were approved: 
96-14, 96-17, 96-27, 96-54, 96-58, 96-60, 96-81 and 96-108. The committee 
recommended for disapproval overtures: 96-3, 96-28, 96-55 and 96-48. 
However a minority report on overture 96-48 from the committee was adopted 
by the Assembly. This overture would provide for alternative forms of 
resolution in disciplinary cases after allegations have been filed. The 
Assembly adopted the minority over the recommendation of the Church Polity 
committee and against the advice of the Advisory Committee on the 
Constitution. 
 
    As part of the consent agenda, the Polity committee also recommended 
approval of commissioners' resolution 96-36, to "develop a way within the 
governance of the church to provide for the establishment of relationships 
of accountability between the PCUSA and any groups wanting to be considered 
part of the Presbyterian Church."  This resolution, which sounded to some 
on the committee like the former Chapter Nine method of working with 
organizations, and carried with it an estimated $28,875 implementation 
cost, slipped through with no comment from the floor. 
 
    Again, as part of the consent agenda, the G.A. commissioners received 
the report that of 13 overtures sent by the 207th G.A. to the presbyteries 
for consideration, 12 were approved. 
 
    The box score on the review of synod minutes showed that of the 15 
synods, two were approved without comment, eight were approved with 
comments, four were approved with comments and exceptions and one was 
disapproved and returned for resubmission. 
 
Bob Bolt 

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