9:40 PM Tomorrow's business will possibly be contentious, so please continue to pray! Sleep well.
9:39 PM Leadership team is expressing thanks to committee for their patience and questions today. Closing for the night with prayer.
9:37 PM Comment states, "We further request that this statement be brought before each presbytery at a stated meeting in which the report from the 220th General Assembly is given." Comment is accepted 43-10-1.
9:35 PM Motion carried 39 yes, 14 no, 1 abstaining. Now they need to vote to add a comment to the motion.
9:31 PM Now voting to approve 07-17 (which will include 07-18 & 07-24) as amended.
9:29 PM Now voting to approve the amendment as stated below, which I thought they did before. Approved 35-18-1. ??? The press table is quite confused.
9:27 PM More discussion.
9:21 PM Approved - 39-8-6. The amendment passes, so it will amend the original main motion.
9:19 PM Voting again.
9:18 PM Problem - there are 54 people on the committee, but 55 votes.
9:15 PM ""Therefore, while holding persons in ordered ministry to high standards of covenant fidelity in the exercise of their sexuality, as in all aspects of life, we acknowledge that the PCUSA does not have one interpretation of Scripture in this matter. We commit ourselves to continue reseptful dialogue with those who hold differing convictions, to welcome one another for God's glory, and not to vilify those whose convictions we believe to be in error. We call on al Presbyyterians to join us in this commitment." This was approved 43-7-5. This now becomes the amendment.
9:14 PM Want to learn about polity? Come to GA!
9:13 PM They are now amending the amendment. Once that is done, they will vote on the amendment to the amendment, and then on the amendment.
9:09 PM The committee is taking a five minute break.
9:07 PM The motion is now being perfected. It will change points 3 & 4 in 07-17.
9:03 PM There is a motion to amend by striking out "we decline to take an action that would have the effect of imposing on the whole Presbyterian Church USA, on interpretation of scripture in this matter."
8:54 PM Substitution is defeated 16 yes, 37 no, 1 abstaining. Those who voted to substitute 02 for 17 are permitted to register a minority report.
8:54 PM A no vote means that they do not want the substitution to take place.
8:52 PM No more discussion. Voting now on sustituting 02 for 17, 18, & 24.
8:51 PM Question from an older gentleman: What are the standards referred to in "3. The proposed requirement of an affirmation of a “desire to adhere to these standards of ordained service,” may limit a candidate’s right of freedom of conscience under G-2.0105. A candidate may declare an objection of conscience to one or more provisions of the Constitution, which might include a “standard of ordained service” as envisioned in this overture. It would then be the responsibility of the examining body to determine whether the objection constitutes a departure from an essential of Reformed faith and polity. Requiring an affirmation of a candidate’s desire to adhere to a standard to which he or she has objection raises the desire to adhere itself to the status of a necessary and essential article.
8:49 PM Woman is stating that the church should have the opportunity to live into 10-A, and that the church is tired of the conversation. Thanks be to God for this!
8:47 PM Discussion continues.
8:42 PM Another commissioner is stating that his difficulty is that 07-17 will be "nothing more than a pleasant thought" to the General Assembly. If 07-17 is passed, it is history. He wants to see something more than a statement sent forth because of his biblical views.
8:41 PM Commissioner is stating that 07-17 best represents the views of her small group.
8:38 PM Reconvening. They are going to discuss the merits of 07-17 and of 07-02. Once this has been done they will determine which item on which they will vote.
8:35 PM The committee is taking a brief break while the moderator consults with the parliamentarian.
8:33 PM Several hands are in the air. This is all quite confusing. A committee member is requesting guidance from the committee's moderator.
8:31 PM A commissioner is asking what kind of authority the opinion of the committee will have for the General Assembly, specifically the 07-17 & -7-18 combination.
8:30 PM They don't.
8:25 PM The moderator of the committee is trying to determine whether everyone understands what is happening.
8:21 PM Per Tom Hay, if one motion is approved, the other is automatically declined. If the committee wants to back up and restore the agenda to where it was, the committee moderator can ask the committee if it wants to do so. If the committee says yes, the agenda can be restored. If not, they must proceed from the point at which they are currently. If there are objections in doing so, this must be put to a vote.
8:20 PM Shall the substitute be the substitute for the main motion? If so, what happens to the item which is declined? Will it come up again or does it automatically get disapproved?
8:15 PM The commissioner who first made the substitute motion is suggesting that the Advocate who brought forth the overture offer further explanation about the amendment.
8:14 PM Tom Hay, the Assistant Stated Clerk of the General Assembly is now in the room.
8:10 PM A TSAD is making a motion to remove the substitute motion because it changes the agenda. The process has become so muddled that Marcia Clark Myers has called the OGA for assistance.
08:06 PM If 07-17 were defeated, 07-18 and 07-24 would "go away."
8:04 PM Please forgive the formatting - blogger must not be completely compatible to this version of Mac opperating system.
ADVICE FROM THE ACC
The
Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the 220th General
Assembly (2012) that Item 07-17 does not seek constitutional
interpretation and is, on its face, a request of the assembly to take
certain actions to acknowledge differences among faithful Presbyterians
concerning the morality of same-gender relationships. The Advisory
Committee on the Constitution offers no advice to the assembly on this
matter.
The
advisory committee notes that the assembly has a duty to respond to all
business before it. Requesting the assembly “to decline to take an
action that would have the effect of imposing on the whole Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) one interpretation of Scripture” places the assembly in
the position of determining which of its actions might impose such
limited interpretative possibilities. If the assembly chooses to respond
affirmatively to this request, it will be answered by the actions of
the 220th General Assembly (2012).
Items
07-17 and 07-18 from the Presbyteries of Sacramento and Chicago
overture the 220th General Assembly (2012) to acknowledge the
differences that exist among Christians regarding committed, same-gender
relationships; to decline to impose any one scriptural interpretation
of such relationships on the whole church; to continue in respectful
dialogue, welcoming one another; and to call upon the whole church to
join in this commitment.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) advises that Item 07-17 and 07-18 be disapproved.
8:01 PM Regarding item 07-17, the ACC offers no advice. On this same item, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy advises that07-17 be disapproved.
7
:58 PM The ACC advises that 07-02 not be approved for the following reasons:
ADVICE FROM THE ACC
COMMENT
ACSWP ADVICE AND COUNSEL
The
Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the 220th General
Assembly (2012) that Item 07-02 presents issues that the assembly should
consider.
The
overture proposes an amendment to G-2.0104b that (1)would add a new
second sentence to the paragraph, (2) would insert the phrase
“commitment to these standards” in the resulting third sentence, and (3)
would strike the current final sentence and replace it with a new
sentence. The new second sentence indicates that the “standards for
ordained service” are found in the Scriptures and the confessions and
include “the commitment to live a chaste and disciplined life whether in
holy marriage between a man and a woman or in single life.” The
sentence to be added in place of the current final sentence reads: “Only
those who affirm a desire to adhere to the standards for ordained
service and who make an affirmative answer to the constitutional
questions shall be ordained or installed.”
The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the General Assembly of the following concerns:
1.
Introducing the language of “holy” marriage may confuse the issue by
raising questions of whether the marital relationship permitted under
the proposed addition is exclusively a “Christian” marriage, and thus
whether someone married in a civil ceremony would qualify for ordination
or installation. If the assembly is satisfied with the intent of this
overture, it may wish to consider using “the covenant of marriage” in
place of the proposed “holy marriage.”
2.
The insertion of the phrase “commitment to these standards” in the
current second (proposed third) sentence of the paragraph is at least
partly repetitive, since the next sentence mandates that the examination
shall “include … a determination of the candidate’s ability and
commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the
constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003).”
Since a candidate must affirm the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments as “the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in
the Church Universal and God’s Word to [the candidate],” a commitment to
these as standards is implied in the required affirmation.
3.
The proposed requirement of an affirmation of a “desire to adhere to
these standards of ordained service,” may limit a candidate’s right of
freedom of conscience under G-2.0105. A candidate may declare an
objection of conscience to one or more provisions of the Constitution,
which might include a “standard of ordained service” as envisioned in
this overture. It would then be the responsibility of the examining body
to determine whether the objection constitutes a departure from an
essential of Reformed faith and polity. Requiring an affirmation of a
candidate’s desire to adhere to a standard to which he or she has
objection raises the desire to adhere itself to the status of a
necessary and essential article.
4.
The final sentence to be added by the overture is at least partly
repetitive of language already present in G-2.0104b. The text of the
present statement contains the sentence that the examination shall
“include but not be limited to a determination of the candidate’s
ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the
constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003).”
The implication of the existing sentence is that a candidate who does
not make an affirmative answer to the constitutional questions would not
sustain his or her examination. The addition of the new final sentence
serves to make explicit what is already implied in the previous
sentence; the Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises that the
explication is unnecessary and could be deleted without loss of meaning.
5.
The approval of this amendment would in substance reverse the decision
of the 219th General Assembly (2010) and the subsequent approval of a
majority of the presbyteries to remove the specific behavioral standard
of “fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in
singleness” from the Form of Government. The assembly should weigh
carefully whether it believes the majority of the church took that
action in error before proposing this amendment.
Items
07-02, 07-03, 07-06, and 07-16 from the Presbyteries of Stockton,
Central Florida, Washington, and Foothills, respectively, overture the
220th General Assembly (2012) to reinstate, as a standard for
ordination, the requirement that candidates live either in fidelity
within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or to live in
chastely in singleness.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) advises that Items 07-02, 07-03, 07-06, and 07-16 be disapproved.
07:53 Correction: committee members were asked if anyone had corrections or additions that would improve upon 07-17. There were none. They were then asked if anyone had any corrections or additions to 07-02. There were none.
7:50 PM The motion addressing 07-17 must be voted upon prior to voting on 07-02.
The Presbytery of Stockton overtures the 220th General Assembly (2012) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative vote:
Shall
G-2.0104b be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a
strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]
“b. Standards
for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to
the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (F-1.02). These
standards are found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as
interpreted by the confessions of the church and include the commitment
to live a chaste and disciplined life, whether in holy marriage between a
man and a woman or in single life (The Book of Confessions, 4.108). The council responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.2.0402; G-2.0607; G-3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s commitment to these standards,
calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities
of ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not be limited
to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill
all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for
ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates. Only
those who affirm a desire to adhere to the standards for ordained
service and who make an affirmative answer to the constitutional
questions shall be ordained or installed.”
7:48 PM A substitute motion was made to accept overture 07-02: On Amending G-2.0104b to Clarify Standards for Ordination—From the Presbytery of Stockton.
7:47 PM A motion was made to accept item 07-17, which reads:
The Presbytery of Sacramento respectfully overtures the 220th General Assembly (2012) to approve the following statement:
“Because
“•
Jesus taught that our highest ethical obligation is to ‘… love the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself’ (Lk.
10:27); and this is how ‘everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another’ (Jn. 13:35);
“•
having experienced Christ’s gracious love for us while we are yet
sinners, we are called to ‘welcome one another, therefore, just as
Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’ (Rom. 15:7);
“• we affirm thesolemn
commitments expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination,
installation, and commissioning, including that we intend to fulfill our
ministries ‘in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of
Scripture, and … continually guided by our confessions’; that that we
will be friends among our colleagues in ministry; that we ‘seek to
follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love [our] neighbors, and work for the
reconciliation of the world’ (Book of Order, W-4.4003);
“• ‘… wehold
that interpretation of the Scripture to be orthodox and genuine which
is gleaned from the Scriptures themselves (from the nature of the
language in which they were written, likewise according to the
circumstances in which they were set down, and expounded in the light of
like and unlike passages and of many and clearer passages) and which
agree with the rule of faith and love, and contributes much to the glory
of God and man’s salvation’ (The Book of Confessions, Second Helvetic Confession, 5.010);
“•
the larger Catechism lifts up the duty of holding ‘… a charitable
esteem of our neighbors,’ and forbids the sin of ‘… misconstruing
intentions, words, and actions’ (The Book of Confessions, 7.254–.255).”
The
220th General Assembly (2012) acknowledges that faithful Presbyterians
earnestly seeking to follow Jesus Christ hold different views about what
the Scriptures teach concerning the morality of committed, same-gender
relationships.
Therefore,
while holding persons in ordered ministry to high standards of covenant
fidelity in the exercise of their sexuality, as in all aspects of life,
we decline to take an action that would have the effect of imposing on
the whole Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) one interpretation of Scripture
in this matter. We commit ourselves to continue respectful dialogue with
those who hold differing convictions, to welcome one another for God’s
glory, and not to vilify those whose convictions we believe to be in
error. We call on all Presbyterians to join us in this commitment.
7:44 PM Item 07-17 is On Honoring Christ in Our Relationships with One Another—From the Presbytery of Sacramento.
7:41 PM The Church Orders and Ministry Committee has reconvened. On the docket for this evening are items 07-17, 07-18, and 07-24.
2:49 PM Live blogging will continue after the committee reconvenes after dinner. Peace to all - and please continue to pray!
2:45 PM Small groups will be discussing the items to be discussed this afternoon and this evening.
2:42 PM The motion is defeated. A 2/3 vote was not obtained. 32 yes, 19 no, 4 abstentions. Commissioners will be counting off by four's and moving into small groups following a short break.
2:41 PM Voting now on the motion made at 2:25 PM.
2:38 PM This committee is currently wallowing in polity. The concern is that the folks who would like to speak to each agenda item might not be able to do so if the schedule is changed.
2:34 PM Discussion continues.
2:25 A motion from the floor will amend the previously adopted agenda. Passing this will require a 2/3 vote. The motion is to modify the agenda by swapping 7-17, 7-18, & 7-24 with tomorrow's business items 07-01, 07-05, & 07-12. Doing so will negate the overtures that will be discussed tomorrow. This will allow the commissioners to discuss opposing overtures after a night's sleep. The docket was originally put together to allow a full discussion within small groups first, and then within the larger committee.
2:23 PM The motion passes 54 yes, 0 no.
2:22 PM: A motion was made to approve the ACC's response.
2:21 PM This question is as follows:Pursuant to G-3.0501c, the Advisory Committee on the Constitution makes the following findings with respect to the questions presented:
With respect to the question presented, the Advisory Committee on the Constitution finds that the question does not require interpretation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises the General Assembly that ample and clear notice was provided to the presbyteries concerning the fact that, should both Amendment 10-A (amending then G-6. 0106b) and the Proposed Amendments Part 3 of 3 (the revision of the Form of Government) be approved, the newly approved language of 10-A would replace section G-2.0104b as published in the Proposed Amendments Part 3 of 3. The approved language of Amendment 10-A thus properly appears as the text of G-2.0104b, and as such it, and not the language of former G-6.0106b, is a standard for ordination of persons to the ordered ministries of the church.
Section G-6.01 of the Book of Order affirms that the amendment procedures of the Constitution are “understood as a means to faithfulness.” Thus, the right of presbyteries to overture the General Assembly to amend the Constitution of the church may not lightly be abridged. Even when the General Assembly recommended to the presbyteries a complete revision of the Form of Government, it simultaneously placed before the church a number of other amendments, some to the then-current Form of Government for the affirmative or negative votes of the presbyteries. It did this in the expectation that, should the proposal to revise the entire Form of Government fail, the church still wished to consider amending the then-current Form of Government. In this context, Amendment 10-A, on amending G-6.0106b, was sent down. At the same time, the assembly and the Office of the Stated Clerk were aware that there needed to be a clear statement of the impact on the proposed new Form of Government of the adoption of any amendments, including Amendment 10-A. It provided that statement at the end of each amendment in italicized font. Upon passage of both a proposed amendment and the Form of Government revision as a whole, the Office of the General Assembly acted to revise the new Form of Government in a manner completely in accord with the published impact statements at the end of each amendment entry.
The Advisory Committee on the Constitution notes that the rationale attached to the request presumes that there is a chronological sequence associated with the adoption and efficacy of the amendments proposed for adoption by the General Assembly. In point of fact, this is not accurate. As G-6.04 states, proposed amendments that meet the requirements of G-6.04 a–d “shall become effective one year following the adjournment of the assembly transmitting the proposed amendment.” All amendments approved by a General Assembly and receiving the positive votes of a majority of the presbyteries take effect simultaneously, rather than in chronological sequence. Thus the revisions to the Form of Government and to [then] G-6.0106b/now G-2.0104b took effect at the same time, and under the provisions recommended by the Advisory Committee on the Constitution and approved by the General Assembly.
2:19 PM Now being reviewed is a question: 07-22 Question as to Whether G-2.0104b Has Been Amended—From the Session, First Presbyterian Church, Cleveland, Tennessee.
2:16 PM Members of the committee are confused with why two votes were needed. The parliamentarian is explaining.
2:12 PM In essence, this vote advises the plenary of the General Assembly not to approve the overture recommendation.
2:11 PM The motion passes: 31 yes, 22 no.
2:10 PM Voting now.
2:09 PM A motion is now needed to disapprove the change. Yes, this is confusing.
2:08 PM The vote was 25 yes, to approve, and 27 no, to disapprove the change.
2:04 PM Voting now.
1:56 PM The motion is being discussed.
1:5
3 PM The motion has been moved and seconded to approve this change.
1:48 PM The passing of this recommendation would reverse the change in wording adopted by the 219th General Assembly.
1:46 PM Santa Fe's recommendation reads as follows:
The
Presbytery of Santa Fe respectfully overtures the 220th General
Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to direct the Stated
Clerk to send the following proposed amendments to the presbyteries for
their affirmative or negative votes:
1.
That in the Form of Government (newly approved, 2011) the terms “ruling
elder” and “teaching elder” used for those in ordered ministries be
replaced throughout the with the former terms “elder” and “minister of Word and Sacrament” being substituted.
2.
Amend F-3.0202 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a
strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]
“This church shall be governed by presbyters, that is, ruling eldersand teaching elders ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Ruling Elders are so named not because they ‘lord it over’ the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they Elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure guide in its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Teaching elders Ministers of the Word and Sacrament shall be committed in all their work to teaching the faith in word and in deed and equipping the people of God for their ministry and witness.”
3.
Amend G-2.0301 follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a
strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]
“Ruling Elder Defined
“As
there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the
people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular
gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s
people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and
maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being
compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they ‘lord it over’ the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they Elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure and guide in its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders Elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament,
exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline
and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the
whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the
congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session.
When elected as commissioners to higher councils, rulingelders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office.”
4.
Amend G-2.05 and G-2.0501 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with
a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]
“Teaching Elders: The Ministry of the Word and Sacrament: Teaching Elder and Pastor
“G-2.0501 Teaching Elder Minister of the Word and Sacrament Defined
“Teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament) Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (also called teaching elders and pastors) shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith in word and deed
and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). They may
serve in a variety of ministries as authorized by the presbytery. When
they serve as preachers and teachers of the Word, they shall preach and
teach the faith of the church, so that the people are shaped by the
pattern of the gospel and strengthened for witness and service. When
they serve at font and table, they shall interpret and ‘show forth’ the mysteries of grace and lift in word and action, lifting
the people’s vision toward the hope of God’s new creation. When they
serve as pastors they shall support the people in the disciplines of the
faith amid the struggles of daily life. When they serve as presbyters,
they shall participate in the responsibilities of governance, seeking
always to discern the mind of Christ and to build up Christ’s body
through devotion, debate, and decision.”
1:43 PM The business currently before the committee addresses item 07-04. On Amending the Book of Order Concerning the Titles Used for Those in Ordered Ministries—From the Presbytery of Santa Fe.
1:39 PM The committee is now in session.
11:55 AM The committee is adjourning for lunch. We'll be back at 1:30!
11:48 AM Commissioners are being informed on the various courses of actions available to them in dealing with each overture.
11:42 AM The committee covenant established earlier this morning is being reviewed.
11:36 AM There are not any CR's being considered currently. A commissioner is now asking the difference between an affirming statement and an authoritative interpretation. Affirming statements are simply suggestions and have limited scope and reach. Authoritative interpretations are rules that are voted upon and enacted and can only be removed through a voting process.
11:33 AM The moderator is explaining how a commissioner's resolution works.
11:19 AM This committee is ahead of schedule and so is taking a short break.
11:16 AM David Colby from Twin Cities Presbytery is speaking about mutual forbearance, important values of Scripture and the Confessions, and asking that this committee follow G-20104b.
11:14 Tricia Dykers Koenig is sharing the outcome of the vote on Amendment 10-A. She is addressing Pauls words about the Body of Christ in needing everyone to serve the Church.
11:12 AM Pam Byers is speaking about God's Call, and about each body's choice in calling and approving whomever they choose to call.
11:08 AM Ted Coppock, from West Demoines, Iowa is one of the seven, as is Tricia Dykers Koenig (Western Reserve Presbytery) and Pam Byers (San Francisco Presbytery). Ted is urging the Assembly not to return to G6-0106b.
11:05 AM Seven presbyteries are being represented currently. They are speaking in support of items 17, 18, & 24.
11:03 AM The current woman speaking is encouraging the committee to allow Committees on Preparation for Ministry freedom of conscience and encourages them to vote yes on item 07.
11:00 AM Executive Presbyter from the Presbytery of Stockton is speaking; she used to look at life through the lens of serving a small church, but now she considers the greater body of the Church. She wants to restore ??? - she ran out of time.
10:54 AM Barbara Wheeler is speaking to the committee about freedom of conscience.
10:48 AM We are in a semi-large ballroom. The ceiling and the two side walls are black, and the front and rear walls are dark-gray, as is the carpeting. There are approximately 610 small spotlights in the ceiling. The committee is seated at tables in the front of the room, arranged in a large circle. There are hundreds of seats arranged in rows for observers in the middle of the room. This is a cold atmosphere.
10:44 AM Authority of Scripture is the message now - this person is quoting N.T. Wright. She also mentions "active homosexuals." What is an "active homosexual???"
10:43 AM We're hearing a version of "love the sinner, hate the sin."
10:39 AM The current speaker is supportive of our people. She is citing Scripture contextually, as opposed to literally.
10:34 AM The current speaker and the last are speaking in favor of restoring the language of G6-0106b to the Book of Order. They are using Scripture and the Heidelberg and Westminster Confessions to support their arguments.
10:27 AM Overture Advocates have 2:00 to speak on behalf of each overture. Advocates can be individuals or groups of people. If Advocates so choose, they can combine their time; a group of seven people will be speaking as a group, combining their time and thus having a total of fourteen minutes to speak.
10:24 The people advocating on behalf of the Overtures will speak next to the committee. Overtures come to the General Assembly committees from presbyteries.
10:22 Michael Adee, Executive Director and Field Organizer is speaking now to the committee. He is quoting Peter Gomes.
10:18 The current person testifying is speaking about interpretation of Scripture, sharing that practices have changed through time and that church issues as they pertain to sexuality should also change.
10:17 The committee is back in session. Testimony is addressing Scripture, the Confessions, and personal stories.
10:07 AM The committee is taking a 5-10 minute break while waiting for others to arrive to testify. Those folks are currently testifying before the Marriage Committee.
10:05 AM Each person has 90 seconds to speak. There is a large clock shown on a big screen that allows everyone to s
ee how much time has passed and how much time is left to speak.
0:03 AM Kevin Henderson, Board Member of More Light Presbyterians and soon-to-be seminarian at Austin Seminary is currently testifying
10:02 AM John spoke beautifully from his heart.
10:00 AM Testimony continues. John Stanger from Presbyterian Welcome is up next.
9:53 AM The business to be reviewed and acted upon can be found at this link: https://pc-biz.org/Committee2.aspx.
9:48 AM The committee is in session. A covenant has been established by committee members, and open testimony is taking place. Persons in favor of the amendments and against
are speaking 07 & 03 are speaking to the commissioners.
9:47 AM Sorry - technical difficulties.
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