Thread by @derekradney

Thread: Day 2 of PCA General Assembly business

Starts at 9:30am CT

Right now: Pre-Assembly seminar on civil conversations w/ @DavidJRichter @Irwyn @joel_stclair @SeanMLucas @BryanChapell
#pcaga

Seminar wrapping up soon as commissioners are streaming in.
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First business will be to take up the issue of the PCA ending our partnership with the NAE. Committee recommends we do on the basis of some perceived shifts in political aims.
This will probably be contested on the floor.
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Opening business with a hymn.
RE John Bise will open in prayer.
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Can't get the words on the screen for the hymn.
Prayer.
Fraternal greeting from the Brazilian Pres. Church.
Rev. Davi Gomes
Also brings greeting from World Reformed Fellowship.
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Back to business
Chair Donahoe is already encouraging us to limit debate to what is necessary.
We are behind.
Before ICR begins, chair strikes the grounds b/c they were not voted on.
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First speaker: TE Bruce O'Niel notes that one argument advanced to leave NAE suggests NAE adopted a statement that compromises our confessional standards on sexuality & marriage, but he argues this statement was abt religious liberty & dignity of all.
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TE O'Niel argues partnership w/ NAE is a way to practice unity w/ other Christians, that we influence NAE more than it us, that society is more hostile & secular than ever before such that religious liberties r threatened so we need these sorts of partnerships.
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TE Carl Robbins, chair of ICR, argues for the committee's recommendation to leave NAE: 1) Fit - no longer theologically aligned, no conservatives left, 2) Finances - it is costly ($25,000 plus), 3) Freedom - should not bind all PCAers to NAE agenda, indiv. can choose.
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TE O'Niel, chair of permanent committee, argues again not to leave b/c no organizational partner will perfectly fit but it is still worth partnering.
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Now commissioners on the floor debate staying or leaving NAE.
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Debate has become explicitly political: TE Andy Webb notes which political leaders invite the president of NAE to speak. Also notes sgift in position on the death penalty & outlines his concerns with the fairness to all policy.
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Point of order raised abt speaker time being limitted to 3 minutes.
Point not taken by the chair but encourages the speaker to hurry.
Chair notes the time is 5 minutes, and slyly notes we have a lot overture work to do.
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The chair RE Donahoe is already masterfully running business, drawing laughter dryly at commissioners attempt to run order from the floor.
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TE @dpcassidyC3 argues in support of permanent committee's recommendation that the PCA stays in NAE b/c we need more alliances, not less.
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RE Matt Fender, a lawyer, argues NAE supports creating protected class status of homosexuals and that this will be unhelpful to the church.
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Call to question. Chair is reviewing rules with parliamentarian. Cutting short this debate is not permitted. Debate continues.
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RE Terry Carnes speaks in favor of leaving NAE b/c despite claims that we are having influence on NAE, it seems we are not having that influence.

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TE @kevinjtwit speaks to staying NAE b/c of the value of staying in mixed partnerships & bearing witness there as those who have theo. acumen even if for a time we are not heeded.
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TE @jpipajr speaks for leaving NAE since it's a quasi political org. & not a church & thus has nothing to do w/ church unity. Notes other conservatives have left
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TE Larry Hoop notes we are a branch of the visible church & that is expressed by partnering w/ other branches in things like the NAE.
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RE Rich Leino says we should withdraw from NAE b/c it's a 501(c)3 & not a church & thus isn't breaking church fellowship.
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Commissioner asks if the stated clerk who has served in NAE what his opinion is.
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More debate, but we're rehearsing same arguments. 5 minutes left for this topic before we can move to vote.
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TE Dodson from Ohio argues freedom is the main issue here. No one in the PCA should be forced to cooperate against his/her conscience.
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TE @fredgreco raises parliamentary inquiry to see if we can in fact end debate according to RAO. Chair says they'll look.
TE @DavidJRichter says leaving will fuel liberal slide.
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Final word by the Stated Clerk Dr. Roy Taylor:
He points to problematic arguments cited by those seeking to leave.
Reasons to stay: 1) we r not the only Xians, 2) practically, the US House passed the equality act, but the NAE opposed the special class status provision.
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We voted to stay in NAE: 590-845.
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RE Donahoe is moving us along so quickly when we hit snags. Doing a fine job.
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Now a partial report by TE @fredgreco chair of Standing Judicial Commission
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Now partial report from overtures committee by @SeanMLucas
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Vote passes to receive all the recommendations on O6, 12, 1, 16, & 18 which were passed by large majorities.
Sorry I can't summarize the content of all these Os here. Keep your eye on @PCAByFaith which usually has that info.
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RPR report by TE Ken McHeard
This is the committee that reviews the minutes of the presbyteries to make sure things are being done in line w/ doctrine & order.
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Unfortunately, it will be difficult to summarize all that we are voting on and passing now. They include changes to rules of the assembly (ROA) and the review of presbytery records (RPR). The floor is accepting the committee's recommendations overwhelmingly.
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Commissioner seeks to have a case thrown out because of prejudice by RPR.
Floor rejects this.
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Now we pause for an "order of the day" which is to have the Nominating Committee Report.

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Commentary: This is a key moment where permanent committee chairs are elected for the next year. This has a huge impact on future business.
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Administrative committee:
Bob Brunson
alternate Rod Mays
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Committee on Constitutional Business:
Frederick Marcinak
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Committee on Discipleship Ministries
Cathcart
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BOARD OF Covenant Theological Seminary
Frank Wicks

STANDING JUDICIAL COMMISSION TE
Sean Lucas

STANDING JUDICIAL COMMISSION RE
Michael Ross

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STANDING JUDICIAL COMMISSION // RE
Melton Duncan

THEOLOGICAL EXAMINING COMMITTEE // TE // Alt
Benjamin Shaw

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Vows administered to the standing judicial commission. Assembly votes to affirm them.
Back to RPR.
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The esteemed & eloquent TE Ethan Smith of the Piedmont Triad Pres. rises to support RPR against Calvary presbytery which has prevented a TE from teaching his views asserting the preliminary principles.

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We are recessing for lunch amid debate.

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We have reconvened.
Briefly, partial report from Admin. Committee.
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Back to RPR.

Debating the substitute motion to answer the case regarding Calvary Pres. as "satisfactory."

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The issue here involves a presbytery admitting a TE with an exception to the WCF & then requiring that TE to not teach his stated difference. RPR says this is not allowed. If admitted w/ an exception, the TE must not be prohibited from teaching the exception.
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TE David Coffin offers his view on preliminary principle #2.
Next commissioner calls the question.
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Vote on Calvary Pres' minutes: GA affirmed RPR's ruling finding their records unsatisfactory on the matter of restricting a TE.

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Another vote on the exact same issue regarding another presbytery's records.
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End of RPR. Now Report of the Committee of Constitutional Business.

This committee offers advice to the various committees with regard to how various items of business fit with the constitution.

They found 7 Overtures in conflict with the Constitution.

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Now on to the report from Theological Examining Committee. Nothing to vote on.
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Personal Commentary: It has been very difficult to get a read on the assembly this year. OC swung hard traditional. The moderator vote was strongly for RE Donahoe (which probably shows how trusted he is by trads & missionals). Perm. cmmttee were split. RPR went missionals.
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Now on to MTW report by TE Jeffrey Choi & then the coordinator TE Llyod Kim.

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TE Llyod says they are praying for more workers, that is, ppl who want to become missionaries.

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TE Llyod Kim updates GA on reports frm women in MTW who've been mistreated & the work of GRACE's assessment. GRACE says there has been misconduct emotional,sexual,&physical.
11% of women in MTW described the environment as poor/very poor.
TE Kim says this is unacceptable.
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MTW has hired a director to receive reports of misconduct , plus counseling resources, & other changes on the recommendation of GRACE.
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Personal Commentary: The difference between the response of the IMB to reports of sexual misconduct (no mention at the SBC convention this year) & the report just given is striking. We have to own our sin, publicly repent, seek help to change.
Thank you TE Llyod Kim.
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Now we are debating O41 which MTW recommends we answer in the negative. The O attempts to prevent women from serving as team leaders of missions team.
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Recommendation from MTW is recommitted. That means it is sent back to the committee to rework. May or may not come back to the floor this GA.
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MTW report over. Now on to Covenant Theological Seminary report.
Controversy possible.
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TE @dpcassidyC3 at the mic giving the report, but Dr. Mark Dalbey will speak now.
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Dr. Dalbey says it has been a rough year financially & otherwise.
Theo. education has to become more affordable, accessible, & flexible.
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Dr. Dalbey notes the difficulty of O2 which was unwelcome & does not reflect the desire of the seminary.
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TE Cassidy back at the podium on the CTS committees recommendations.
Vote to receive 1-9. 10 & 11 go to AC.
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Now to Standing Judicial Commission chair TE @fredgreco
Short report.
Now to MNA report.
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TE Paul Hahn the director of MNA giving passionate report & video on church planting movement & church renewal.

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Going forward, @pcamna is focusing on greatly improving efforts in church renewal giving that close to ~70% of PCA churches are in stagnation or decline.

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For the next hour or so, we'll have reports from:
PCA Foundation
Covenant College
Reformed University Ministries
PCA Retirement & Benefits, Inc. Committee on Discipleship Ministries Ridge Haven Conference Center

I'll b taking a break frm tweeting until AC & Overtures.

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OK, we r looking at the AC report now & there's some scrambling going on.
Overtures are next on the docket, but dinner as 5:30pm. Lots of commissioners left early, but w/ Overtures approaching, there's a scramble to get ppl back in to assembly in case we get to overtures.
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One commissioner @ChortlesWeakly made a procedural motion to change the docket by pushing back recess & cutting dinner short. That could be read as an attempt to jump on Overtures while many r out of the assembly early.
That motion needed 2/3 & failed.
We r still on AC.
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I'm told @ChortlesWeakly made the motion because he has to work tomorrow & wants to get to business.
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AC is still going on. Clerk Roy Taylor spoke briefly about his retirement after this year.
We still may get to Overtures just before the dinner recess.
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Moderator is giving instructions about dealing with overtures for when we come back from dinner. So he is recessing us early.
I'll be back at 9pm.
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Prelude to evening worship led by @Sandramccracken
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Reconvening. @SeanMLucas is at the podium as the chair of the Overtures Committee.
I expect a procedural motion to come right away to change the order of consideration of the overtures, placing O42 first.
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TE Bruce O'Neil makes this motion. The argument is that O42 is comprehensive and will help with deliberation of the rest of the overtures dealing with sexuality.
There are many minority reports, & if we dispense w/ O42 this will speed things along.
@SeanMLucas speaks to it
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@LigonDuncan rises to speak against procedural motion saying it will be faster not to do this & be for the peace of the church.
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Procedural motion fails by a large margin.
This means all the overtures on sexuality will be debated & voted on before discussion abt forming a study committee.
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Chair @SeanMLucas is explaining the order in which the OC considered overtures & summarizing recommendations.

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Chair recommends we take a group en grosse based on the overwhelming unity of votes on these Os by the OC.

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One objection to the floor pulls out O9 to debate.
Omnibus passes.
Now on to O9.
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O9 passes as amended.
On to O33
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O33 answered in the negative.
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On to O4 on the Nashville Statement by @CBMWorg being introduced by @MeltonDuncan in place of the chair who chose not to represent the OC's recommendation to answer O4 in the affirmative.
A minority report of the OC was filed.
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@MeltonDuncan is reading the NS to the assembly.
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Minority report being presented by RE Jim Wert. The argument is that we can do better than the NS, not that we are against it.
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RE Wert summarizes the minority report: 1) we can do better with a study committee 2) NS does not sufficiently give pastoral guidance, 3) adopting NS does not have any clear status in our church if we affirm it.
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Personal commentary: From OC the other day, the divide on NS seems to be between those who believe we need to "take a stand" now & those pastoring ppl who are same sex attracted & who are transgender.

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@MeltonDuncan will now follow with closing arguments before the floor is opened to debate.
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Rick Phillips speaks in favor of NS.
Cal Boroughs says the question is how we BEST speak, not whether or not we will speak.
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Call to question fails, but David Coffin says we should do votes by machines.
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I am having internet problems.
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Hopefully back on line now.
Debate continuing, alternating speaks on opposite sides.
TE Ron Lutjens calls for a study committee, notes we have a statement from 40yrs ago already in the PCA, & NS isn't the statement we need.
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Microphones have long lines.
@LigonDuncan back at the mic to support NS and against minority report. He argues it is important to be clear right now. Says PCA can do the best, and we will have the opportunity. Send a clear signal.
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TE @Servenator says the NS is not the statement we need. It will only make us feel safe with our own tribe instead of pastor guidance and truth for those struggling.

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TE Harry Reeder speaks against the minority report & for NS, can't "for the life of him" understand why we wouldn't affirm NS.

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TE Hermerding reads criticism of NS by respected reformed author, especially article 4. Rejecting NS is not about affirming homosexuality but recognizing this document is insufficient & potentially damaging.

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TE Greg Johnson speaks for the minority report, shares his story, his shame & fear, then his conversion & call, his growth in sanctification. Notes prblms & pain in article 7 of NS on "identity" labels like alcoholic, disabled, etc. NS is damaging to ppl like him.
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TE Kevin @RevKevDeYoung rises to speak for OC recommendation & against minority report. DeYoung helped w/ NS. He says the assembly is for declaring. We can speak clearly here w/out denying the pain & stories.
Is NS true, helpful, winsome, & wise? If it is, don't be afraid.
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TE @scottsauls rises to speak against NS for minority report. The world isn't confused about where we stand. They are confused abt whether or not we love them. Article 7 is not helpful but damaging. We need to be tender. Jesus named the sinful women w/ a blessing.
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RE Cheswick speaks for the OC's recommendation. Argues that NS is faithful, so we should affirm it.
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RE Luke Calvin argues for minority report saying the same-sex attracted community is highly skiddish & this community has become fearful & shamed by this statement. This will drive them into further hiding from us in the PCA. They wonder where they are safe.
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A few other commissioners speak for both sides, but we are at the end of time for this topic.
On to the vote.
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O4 minority report to recommit O4 is defeated.

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O4 to affirm Nashville Statement passes.

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Personal Commentary: Huge mistake. A majority refused 2 listen 2 the many voices who said NS would not help us pastor ppl. They didn't see the harm & assumed, then, there can't be any harm. The PCA took a stand 2 appease unsettled church members rather than the vulnerable.
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O11 answered in the affirmed as amended.
This is another one on sexual orientation.
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Now on O42 about forming a study committee on sexuality with a particular attention to homosexuality, same sex attraction, and transgenderism.

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Side note: Large line of commissioners in line to register their no vote to O4 on the Nashville Statement. Never seen so many register their "No" vote before.
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O42 to form a study committee has been adopted.
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Now on to O37 which is a statement on sexuality, the OC recommends answer w/ reference to O4.

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Minority report given by TE Daniel Schrock gives long speech largely consisting of a personal story of how he pastored a SSA young man who needed him 2 speak the truth.
Says the church is in turmoil (yesterday it was on fire) w/ ppl who r anxious & uncertain; also ads 2 NS
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@SeanMLucas says we should let the study committee do its work and not adopt this O.
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Minority report to affirm O37 as amended fails. Back to OC's recommendation to answer in the negative.
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Correction, OC's recommendation is to refer the O in reference to 4.
THat passes.
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Now on to O28 to be answered in reference to O4. There is a minority report.
@SeanMLucas again says again to let the study committee do this work.
TE Warhurst giving speech for minority report to affirm O28.
BTW - It's 11:40pm...
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Minority report fails.

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O28 is answered in reference to O4.

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We are preparing to recess.
@SeanMLucas giving instruction about Overtures to deal with tomorrow, urges us to be here on time at 9am.
Motion to amend docket to start earlier fails.
2 more big issues:
1) abuse study committee
2) women on committees & boards
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We have recessed until tomorrow at 8:40am.
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We are opening, 10 minutes late, with prayer.
Three big items:
1) abuse study committee
2) women on committees & boards
3) Covenant Theological Seminary as denominational seminary

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Chair of the OC @SeanMLucas introduces overtures dealing with abuse (abt 9 overtures) and we are starting with O7, recommend answer in the affirmative as amended.

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TBC: O7 seeks to form an Ad Interim Committee to address matters related to domestic abuse, domestic oppression, and sexual assault.

The OC debated the term "domestic oppression," but otherwise was not controversial.

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All other Os on abuse were answered in reference to O7, so if this passes the GA, the other overtures will be recommended to be answered in reference.

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2 commissioners spoke, one in favor and one against.
@SeanMLucas has the last word.
Vote: O7 passes as amended to form a study committee on abuse.
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Personal commentary: This is really important. It's that actual issue where it is time to stand & to look at our procedures, culture, & history of abuse.
I hope @trevorilaurence is appointed to the committee given his work on trauma.
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Other Os on abuse answered in reference to O7.

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Now O8 regarding allowing women on to board and committees.
@SeanMLucas introducing the overture and the OCs recommendation.
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Commentary: The issue here is the issue of what it means to rule in the PCA. Permanent committees make recommendations to the GAs Committees of Commissioners which make recommendations to the GA.

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Commentary: Non-ordained persons make recommendations to committees as advisors but may not vote in those committees. Only ordained elders may vote / participate in the decision making process itself.

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The OC recommends answering in the negative. There is a minority report which means debate will be much longer.

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Minority report presenter RE E.J. Nusbaum addresses the concern of placing non-ordaining men & women in "authority" over elders of the church. The constitution makes clear committees serve, report,& recommend, thus not ruling or establishing policy.
Committees r not courts
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1 issues raised in OC is that non-ordained persons don't take vows 2 uphold our doctrinal standards which means those serving on committees who don't hold 2 our standards could influence our institutions away frm faithfulness. Clearly, the fear of liberalism will b in play
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Minority report present points out that women cast votes as church members to put elders into office.

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@SeanMLucas responds 2 MR & argues the vote of non-ordained persons re: calling elders is not comparable. The question is the status of non-ordained persons in presbyteries & the GA. Presbyteries nominate ppl (elders) to GA committees.
Says we love the gifts of women.
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@Irwyn rises to recommit the overture to the OC next year. He says he is generally in favor of the MR but understands potential conflicts/prblms & wants to have it improved.

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Motion to recommit narrowly fails, back to MR & main motion to answer in the negative.

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Commissioner rises to answer in the negative saying this is a slippery slope into liberalism & non-presbyterianism. Things will "completely unravel" if we let women serve on boards & committees.
Point of order against speech being intemperate. Chair denies.

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@SeanMLucas argues that the presbytery is the fundamental court, so non-ordained persons cannot be placed on committees & boards because of our polity. Repeats his desire to be clear abt the value of the gifts of women.

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Minority report fails.
OC recommendation to answer in the negative passes.
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@kevinjtwit reading a motion of protest abt a speech last night that was intemperate. Interrupted by a motion of protest against the protest. Chair overrules second protest for now. Twit continues arguing speaker assigned motives & was intemperate.
Back to second protest.
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Second protest being voted on. Second protest fails which allows Twit's protest to be entered into the record.

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Point of order against Twit's protest ruled against by Chair who is challenged on his ruling but is sustained by the floor. Twit's protest stands. Many ppl arise and sign protest.
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Now on to Covenant Seminary Overture.
President Dalbey speaking at a mic.

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O2 is answered in the negative, which means CTS remains a part of the PCA.

Commentary: This was a ridiculous & even malicious overture passed by a presbytery under the false pretense that CTS wanted to be released from the PCA.

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We skipped other overtures abt non-ordained persons serving on committees & boards which were all recommended to be answered in reference to O8.
@SeanMLucas motions to handle them all together. Floor agrees. So moved.
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We are nearing the finish line w/ 3 overtures left.

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Os that call for the assembly to "re-affirm" are out of order, so O46 on abortion is ruled out of order.
On to O40.
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O40 is answered in the negative.

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O48 answered in the negative.

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Only a few small matters of business, reports, etc.

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RE Howie Donahoe did a fantastic job. I can't believe we are going to finish before 11am. It looked like we might go past noon.
TE @SeanMLucas did a fantastic job chairing OC & presenting to the GA.
TE @dpcassidyC3 brought a great sermon last night.
#pcaga

That wraps up the major business of the 47th #PCAGA.
I'll probably offer some reflections later 2day, but for now, I'm signing off.
I love & am committed to the PCA, but I believe we have some important ways we need 2 repent&grow. I look forward 2 the study committees' reports.