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Visit the official PCA GA page Index to our daily reports Tuesday: June 20th Wednesday: June 21st Thursday: June 22nd Friday: June 23rd

Atlanta: site of the PCA General Assembly

One of the most important issues this year was the adoption of the report and recommendations on Strategic Planning. The Presbytery of Southwest Florida commissioned an ad hoc committee to evaluate the report. The results are posted on the Presbytery's web site: Strategic Planning Evaluation (PSwF)

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The daily reports will be prepared by Pastor Bob Burridge ©2006

Tuesday: June 20, 2006
Evening Worship 7:30pm
The pre-worship concert by Michael Card was cancelled. The reasons were not stated. Shortly after 7:40 the webcast started. There were some initial audio problems which were quickly improved.

Outgoing moderator, Ruling Elder Howard "Q" Davis , delivered a stirring challenge to the Christian church. He pointed out the importance of our role in opposing pluralism, and in engaging in the Spiritual War that rages on around us. The ability we have to stand against evil does not come from our own strength, but is ours in Christ when we are strengthened by him. We must courageously do the Lord's work in the power of the Spirit. He pointed out our need for serious Bible personal study, regular and devoted prayer, the sound preaching from God's word, and faithful evangelism efforts. The Lord's Supper was celebrated by the assembly after the sermon.

Evening Session 9pm
The first business session was called to order just past 9:30pm. At the declaration of quorum there were 962 Teaching Elders and 385 Ruling Elders present (a total of 1347). The docket was adopted with minor changes. Nominations were submitted for the office of Moderator. The names placed were Teaching Elders Dominic Aquila and Wayne C. Harring. Dominic Aquila was elected with a vote of 533 to 383. Appointments were made for various support duties. The Assembly was adjourned until 10am tomorrow morning.

Wednesday: June 21, 2006
Morning Session 10am - Noon
The Stated Clerk's report indicated a slowing of the numerical growth of the PCA this past year. He also reported on the disposition of some legal disputes in the courts where actions were being taken against the PCA for various liabilities. All three of the BCO amendments sent to the presbyteries last year were adopted without debate though several presbyteries had voted against them at their level during the past year.

Overture 20 from Southeast Alabama was passed allowing the Administration Committee to take the initiative in the investigation and selection of locations for future General Assemblies. A modification was passed relating to the committee that reviews Presbytery records. It addresses the rules governing the reporting of examinations of ministers and candidates for the ministry.

The Interchurch Relations report included addresses and communications from delegates from denominations with whom we have fraternal relations. A report was made by the PCA Retirement & Benefits corporation.

Afternoon Session 1:30-5:30pm
By Wednesday afternoon the Assembly enrollment had increased to 1417 delegates. The Administration Committee presented some informational items which included the promotion of the denominational magazine By Faith.

At 2:00pm the Strategic Planning ad interrim committee was given the floor. The Assembly entered a period of informal consideration to hear the report and its recomendations. Several helpful changes were made in the plan since it was proposed at last year's assembly. The most significant improvement was to preserve the reporting of recommendations to the floor of GA through a committee of commissioners. They also added a term limit of 2 years to the new and larger Overtures Committee (formerly the Bills and Overtures Committee). After a time for questions, the Rules of Assembly Operations was suspended to allow each section of the proposal to be considered as a block without amendment. During debate several commissioners presented what they saw as serious flaws in the proposal. When the question was called, all portions of the proposal passed as submitted.

Overture 24 from Western Carolina Presbytery asked that instead of the RAO changes proposed, the Administration Committee should prepare BCO amendments to institute a Delegated Assembly. At the recommendation of our Committee of Commissioners that overture was answered in the negative.

Overture 10 from Blue Ridge Presbytery called for a declaration that the Committees of Commissioners be considered to be a core value of the PCA. That overture was answered by reference to the matters adopted during this session.

The committee on Constitutional Business then presented a partial report on some sections of the RAO that had been submitted to them for evaluation. The Mission to the World Committee, Reformed University Ministries and Covenant Theological Seminary then presented their reports.

Evening Worship 7:30pm
The theme of the evening worship was: Christ, the Source of Our Hope. The sermon from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 was titled: The PCA: A Missional Church? by Pastor Randy Pope. His challenge was that we improve our missional effectiveness by being willing to do whatever is needed to win the lost as long as it isn't in violation of God's word in Scripture.

Thursday: June 22, 2006
Morning Session 8am - Noon
During the morning session informational reports were presented by Covenant College, Mission to North America, Christian Education & Publications, PCA Foundation and Ridge Haven. The Committee on Constitutional Business, the Standing Judicial Committee, and the Theological Examining Committee gave their reports.

The committees of commissioners on Administration, Ridgehaven, Covenant College, Foundation, Mission to the world, Retirement & Benefits, Reformed University Ministries, Mission to North America, and Christian Education & Publications presented their recommendations, most of which were received without debate or objection.

Overtures 3 and 4 were answered in the negative, and overture 21 (the design of a PCA logo) was adopted and amended assigning the work to the PCA Historical Center. There were discussions about some of the overtures requesting changes of Presbytery boundaries.

Afternoon Session 1:30-5:30pm
To start the afternoon business the nominating committee reported and men were elected to serve on the various Assembly committees. The recommendations of the Committee of Commissioners on Covenant Theological Seminary were all received without debate or objection.

The report of the Bills and Overtures Committee completed it's report by presenting the following overtures along with their recommendations.

overture	disposition
6	Passed: This was a memorial to Dr. Edmund P. Clowney.
9	Failed: asked for an appendix to the BCO to provide ethical guidelines for calling a pastor.
14	Failed: declared moot due to recent RAO changes.
15	Passed with amendment: provides term limits for service on the Standing Judicial Committee.
16	Failed: proposed term limits on the Committees of Commissioners.
17	Failed: attempt to clarify the teaching of approved exceptions to the standards by Teaching Elders.
25	Ruled out of Order: statement on US-Iran Relations. The overture did not meet conditions required by our standards.
26	Failed but "without prejudice": Report of Missouri Presbytery about Federal Vision Theology. By being submitted as an overture the content is already part of the record and has been distributed.
23	Failed: To make reference to the OPC study on Federal Vision. It was observed that our court did not have the final version of the report. Referencing it unseen would not be wise.
11	Failed: Asked for a study committee on the Federal Vision (etc.) theology. The request was viewed as too broad and inadequately defined.
2	Passed: Sets up an ad interrim committee to study questions raised by those whose teachings are known as, Federal Vision, New Perspectives on Paul, Shepherdism and Auburn Avenue Theology. Funding of the committee will be by private donations.

The resolution of the Committee on Thanks was received. The time for convening the Friday meeting was changed to 9:00 am.

Evening Worship 7:30pm
At 7pm there was a mini-concert with Buddy Greene. Thursday evening's worship theme was Christ, The Origin of Our Love. The sermon, Jesus, Friend of Sinners, was from Isaiah 52:13-53:6 and was delivered by Pastor Mike Higgins.

Friday: June 23, 2006
Morning Session 9am - 9:50am
The business started by clearing up some business from yesterday regarding presbytery boundaries. The report of the Committee on the Review of Presbytery Records was presented. It was noted that our Korean presbyteries have corrected some past concerns and are working to bring their minutes into compliance with the rules of the assembly. The Assembly adjourned to reconvene in Memphis, TN on June 12, 2007.