Thread by @presbyterianpew

Second Tuesday afternoon OC session begins with ...

Discussion of O49 - AI Study Committee

Motion to move discussion of O49 until after discussion of O26 (Directory for Worship) since we can only have two AICs at any one time.

https://twitter.com/presbyterianpew/status/1937561092487807330

Motion to postpone passes by voice vote.

Discussion of O26 - study committee on Directory of Worship

Move to answer in the affirmative: its clear that we have a lot of agreement, some points of disagreement. We should work together to sort out where that agreement is.

Amendment to change "finish the work of revising" and replace with "revise". Sustained without objection.

Substitute to answer O26 in the negative.

Against substitute: many folks say this is needed, another O is a piecemeal approach to make parts constitutional. This ...

... would be a better approach than to make piecemeal changes.

Question about difference between Ad Interim and Ad Hoc. Amendment to replace Ad Hoc with Ad Interim. Sustained without objection.

For the substitute: there is nothing in the Overture that promises that it will be acceptable to the denomination. Language clarifying what "for authoritative use" means.

Against the substitute: diversity of worship across the PCA is good to some extent. Worship is ...

... a wonderful thing for us to study. Even though some may not agree with the forms of worship that are outlined, but still very worth studying. Concerns about dollar amounts listed in previous study committee overture as they should be decided on merits not $ amounts.

For substitute: until an amendment is offered and approved for how this committee is formed, it doesn't feel Presbyterian to have a single man appoint a committee on such an important issue

Amendments: change "present" to "presenting" sustained without objection; add "portions of the" sustained without objection; replace "revise" with "propose revisions to" sustained without objection.

Amendment change the language in the budget from $15k to $10k. Change expenses to be covered "soley from designated gifts", not AC budget. Sustained without objection.

Amendment to clarify that proposals for revision would follow BCO 26-2. Amendment sustained without objection.

Amendment to change "TEs or REs" to "TEs AND REs" sustained without objection.

Amendment to remove Stated Clerk from role as non-voting member on this study committee. Sustained without objection.

Amendment to strike "not yet given full authority" and "authoritative".

Against amendments: this Overture is designed toward our DFW becoming authoritative. Removing these words gut it.

For amendments: not a good idea to vote before we see the revision that they should have full authority

Against amendment: change leaves "portions" undefined. Would this mean the committee can change portions that are already constitutionally binding.

Amendment to remove "authority" wording fails by voice vote.

Amendment to change "moderator to make" sustained without objection.

Calling the question passed by voice vote.

Vote for substitute (answer in the negative) to become the main failed.

Vote on O26 answered in the affirmative as amended

Y: 82
N: 40
A: 0

Discussion of O49 - AI study committee

Substitute motion: refer back to Presbytery without prejudice. We've recommended 2 study committees. If we recommend a 3rd, one will not pass. Forming a study committee in a couple years will make for a better study.

Point of inquiry - can we refer it to the 53rd general assembly? Yes.

Amend substitute to "refer to 53rd GA" instead of "refer back to Presbytery". Passed by voice vote.

Vote to adopt substitute (refer O49 to 53rd GA) passes by voice vote.

Vote to refer:
Y: 113
N: 6
A: 0

Discussion of O5 - make BCO 60-63 constitutionally binding

Motion to answer in affirmative: this would save the study committee work

Substitute to answer with reference to O26: let's not hamstring the study committee. Passes by voice vote.

Vote to answer O5 w/reference to O26

Y: 112
N: 7
A: 2

Discussion of O27 - study committee on ways for PCs&As to be more efficient

Motion to recommend in the affirmative: this could be a website where ideas could be collected to make improvements.

Substitute to answer in the negative: could be done by sessions and Presbyteries

Motion to ask for input from PC&As.

Against motion: we're ready to vote.

Motion fails by voice vote.

Vote to make substitute (answer in the negative) the main passes by voice vote.

Vote to answer O27 in the negative:

Y: 111
N: 7
A: 1

Discussion of O11 - bitcoin study

Motion to answer in the affirmative: prefaced with recognition of the long day "As they say, my cornbread's 'bout done."

[Just a FYI reminder to readers: there is no time clock for speeches in OC...]

Substitute to answer O11 in the negative. Substitute becomes the main by voice vote.

Vote to answer O11 in the negative

Y: 100
N: 15
A: 2

Discussion of O11 - pastoral encouragement for care of immigrants

Motion to answer in the affirmative. Permission of the floor granted to author of Overture.

Substitute motion to postpone indefinitely: makes wide ranging declaration on issues that divide Christians of good character

Against substitute: this is very much in line with the kind of statement we adopted from the ARP

Move the question passes by voice vote.

Substitute to postpone indefinitely becomes main by voice vote.

Amendment to postpone to 53rd General Assembly: it's late, we don't have much time, this isn't controversial. We should send the message that we aren't rejecting this.

Amendment to refer to 53rd GA by voice vote results in division.

Y: 45
N: 66
A: 2

Amendment fails.

Vote to postpone O50 indefinitely

Y: 84
N: 29
A: 1

*Correction: above was O50, not O11

Discussion of O43 - collecting date on age and ethnicity

Report from AC in response to AC CoC opinion to collect data on age but not ethnicity.

Motion to recommend in affirmative.

Amendment to remove "age" to allow that data still taken. Sustained without objection.

Answer O43 affirmative as amended

Y: 76
N: 28
A: 3

Motion that the chairman be empowered to appoint a committee to report on grounds for decisions. Sustained without objection.

Motion to allow the chairman to give a partial report tonight of Os that require a change to the RAO: 43 and 34. Sustained without objection.

Motion to empower the secretary and chairman to approve the minutes sustained without objection.

And with that the Overtures Committee is adjourned!

Summary of last few votes:

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