This was probably the most anticipated and most reported on day of the 2006 General Assembly.  The high-profile item, no surprise to any GA Junkie, was the “Rule on Sexuality and Leadership.”  The rule was adopted by the 2004 GA but was subject to the Barrier Act requiring a presbytery vote and the confirming vote of the GA in 2006.  The debate was described as “vigorous and respectful” and by a vote of 230 yes versus 124 no the Assembly confirmed the rule that states:

that the church may not accept for training, license, ordain or
induct anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of faithful
marriage between a man and a woman

The PCANZ has their own press release on the action as well as a pastoral letter by the moderator the Right Rev. Pamela Tankersley which I got by e-mail but don’t see on the web site yet.  Link or text of it later.

In addition, the decision was widely covered in the press, including international coverage.  A selection from the articles including the New Zealand Herald, GayNZ.com, and the International Herald Tribune.

In other work, the Assembly adopted ad interim a new Book of Order.  The Assembly summary describes the new version as:

The decision by Assembly is the culmination of a lengthy process of
re-casting the whole approach to the Book of Order, involving
re-writing in clear and accessible language, making room for a variety
of expressions of being Presbyterian, having a mission orientation and
regulating only where necessary.

The decision is also subject to the Barrier Act so the new Book will go to the presbyteries for approval and the 2008 GA for concurrence.

Lower profile business included a new Assembly Executive Secretary, Martin Baker.  The abolishment of the compulsory retirement age of 66.  (This action removes the references in the Book of Order but until the church trustees finish analysis of the effect on the Beneficiary Fund there will be no changes there.)  And the Council of Assembly was trimmed in size from 23 to 14 members with four other “associated individuals,” that is ex officio members.  The motion passed unanimously and the general feeling was that as the rest of the church administration is trimmed the council should be reduced in size as well.

The full summary of the day in on the PCANZ GA06 web site.