Other GA227 committees work their way through their dockets on Monday
Four committees pass their recommendations along to the full assembly
MILWAUKEE — Four committees of the 227th General Assembly completed a handful of business items on Monday, the first day of online committee meetings.
According to MyGA, the Constitutional Interpretation Committee approved one item and referred another one on Monday. The first, CON-05, On Paid Administrative Leave, was referred by a margin of 32-24.
The Presbytery of the Highlands of New Jersey had overtured the assembly to direct the Moderators of the General Assembly and others to appoint a team of 12-15 ruling and teaching elders to review the implications of D-7.0902b, which mandates that administrative leave be paid leave. It also directs the team to make a final report of their work to the 228th General Assembly (2028), “along with a policy that preserves the due process rights of all ministers of the Word and Sacrament accused of misconduct, while addressing the financial implications placed upon churches and/or presbyteries in such a situation.”
The committee unanimously approved CON-16, Request for an Authoritative Interpretation on D-4.0205a, from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, which has to do with the timing of the filing of a complaint.
The General Assembly Operations Committee approved six items of business, beginning with GAO-04, the 2028 Partner Advisory Delegates recommendations. PADs are international delegates who will be invited to the next assembly.
GAO-05 includes proposed amendments to the Standing Rules.
GAO-06 is the confirmation of the Rev. Dr. Bridgett Green as President of Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.
GAO-08 include revisions to the bylaws of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation.
GAO-12 is the confirmation of the Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Taylor as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation. Taylor will serve his fifth term. He’s led the Foundation through a significant period of growth.
GAO-13 confirms the election of Ruling Elder Krysten Carter Holloway as President of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Last month, she was the unanimous selection of the Board of Directors. She brings a collaborative, governance-focused approach, the Board of Pensions said.
The General Assembly Relationships Committee approved three measures. With amendments, the committee approved GAR-06, Recommendations for New Introduction to the Manual of the General Assembly, from the Unification Commission. The committee recommended adding this paragraph: “The Manual of the General Assembly also serves as a map for our life together, ensuring that our governance reflects our constitutional commitment to Unity in Diversity (F.10403). We believe that the Holy Spirit speaks when every voice is heard, ensuring that everyone has a voice, and that those traditionally silenced by power structures are essential to the discernment and function of the entire body of Christ.”
The committee also approve GAR-09, the Referral Report on ECU-05, the Episcopal Presbyterian Dialogue. It affirms the Fourth Round of Bilateral Dialogue between The Episcopal Church and the PC(USA) from 2026-2032.
GAR-10, Dialogue with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), also won approval. The initial round of dialogue will, among other things, recognize that each other’s ordained ministers are valid and help develop resources “to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the commitment between the two churches.”
The Gender and Sexuality Justice Committee also approved three items. GEN-01 is “On Confession, Repentance and Renewed Theological Engagement Regarding HIV/AIDS and Human Sexuality.” It calls on the 227th General Assembly to confess and repent “that the church actively participated in the rise of the HIV/AIDs pandemic through harmful theological frameworks and heteronormative assumptions, participating in the isolation and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS through rejection, judgment and abandonment” and to “seek forgiveness from siblings harmed and commit to repair through transformative theological and pastoral action.”
GEN-08, which came from the Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity, calls for creation of a voluntary self-audit process on LGBTQIA+ welcome.
GEN-09, from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, calls for the creation of a “Beyond Changing Families: Flourishing Relationships and Belonging” report.
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