In case it is not obvious yet, I have slipped into a “low level” blogging mode and will continue this for the month of July. Still a lot to post, but after the “high energy” GA stuff I need some slower time to think more and write less.
Having said that, an important question was raised about amending the PC(USA) constitution. This can be found in Chapter 18 of the Book of Order, but to summarize:
The two sections of the Constitution have different processes with Part One, the Book of Confessions, having a much higher standard.
To Amend Part 2, the Book of Order, requires the General Assembly to send out to the presbyteries any proposed changes. The presbyteries vote in the nine months following the GA and if approved by a simple majority of the presbyteries it becomes part of the next edition of the Book of Order. With 173 presbyteries approval needs 87 affirmative votes and then it becomes part of the 2009-2011 edition of the Book of Order.
With the higher standard for Confessions, the GA authorizes the process and a special study committee is created to study the confession, decide on translation issues, and prepare the official text. Then the next GA must approve the confession. In the following year the presbyteries vote and if 2/3 agree then the following GA must agree again. So, for the PC(USA) at the moment, the 2008 GA approved the process and the study committee(s) begin work, the 2010 GA must approve of the confessions’ text, in 2010-2011 the presbyteries vote and if at least 116 agree then the 2012 GA would vote again. With approval a new edition of the Book of Confessions is published.
Thanks for the information on amending the constitutuion. I don’t have a current book of order (mine dates back to 1980). It the vote within the presbytery a simple majority? Is there any type of quorum requirement?
Steve Bailey
Based on what has happened with the Heidelberg Catechism, should we not now begin to reconsider the Westminster Confession? Based on the rationale of those who sought to change the Heidelberg, the logical thing to do in response is to return Westminster to its original, pristine form.
Voting is done at a presbytery meeting, stated or called, so it would be the normal quorum for a presbytery meeting. The Book of Order sets quorum as three ministers and three elder from three different churches, but allows presbyteries to set higher quorums.
Also, for changes to both parts of the constitution the affirmative vote for each presbytery is a simple majority.
Thanks,Mr. Salyards. So, do only the ministers and elders vote? What, if any, input to individual congregants have with respect to the vote?
Good question.
The voting commissioners of each presbytery are equal numbers of ministers and elders. Each minister is a member and can vote. Each church has at least one elder commissioner to presbytery. A church can have more elders if it has higher membership. In some cases presbyteries have a high number of ministers so to balance with elders churches can send additional elders. (Those presbyteries are ones with seminaries or retirement communities.)
So each church has input through its elder and minister commissioner(s). It is clear in our polity that commissioners are to be guided by the Holy Spirit and are not to be “instructed” how to vote. However, sessions and congregations can express their views to the commissioners and likewise churches can, and should, study the issues. It is through these forums that commissioners can begin to discern the Spirit’s leading through others in the covenant community.
However, sessions and congregations are not to take their own votes so that the commissioners can vote according to the popular will of their churches.
Hope this helps
Your information is most helpful. Thanks for the effort you put into this.