This year, we meet at the Dallas Hyatt Regency. It was a most pleasant experience, the facilities and staff were great.
After getting registered, it was time to go to the Briefing for the Committees of Commissioners.
Roy, our Stated Clerk, appointed me to be his representative as Parliamentarian at the Overtures Committee. This Committee was responsible for the Overtures regarding a study committee on Women Deacons.
Fred chaired the Overtures Committee and did a great job.
The General Assembly gathers.
Tuesday night, Paul Kooistra was elected Moderator, and Roy offers his congratulations.
Bill was elected Time Keeper.
And this is how he lets everyone know when time is up.
John and I were appointed Assistant Parliamentarians
That's John and me on the left, just above the piano.
Roy, John, and I are huddled to come up with advice for the Moderator.
While we are fooling around, Bill is leading the Assembly singing.
Some friends:
Craig has served the Assembly for many years on the Committee on Constitutional Business.
Dave is the Director of the PCA Chaplains Ministry. Gary works with him, and I hope to get Dave to visit us in the next few months for some leadership training.
Everybody at First Church-Hattiesburg loves Derek.
Bill presenting the Administrative Committee Report. Bill and Peggy are working on a report.
Lagniappe Presbyterian Church was a GOLD Sponsor of the Assembly.
The Lagniappe boys.
The Past Moderators' Lunch has become a great time of fellowship.
Dr. Smith was a great help to me during the Louisiana Presbytery prosecution.
Dr. Baird
The Briarwood boys, Frank and Tom.
I was asked to stand in for the Moderator during the Mission to the World Report.
And the Nominating Committee Report.
The most controversial part of the Assembly was the Overtures Committee Report on the request to establish a Study Committee on Women Deacons. Fred brought the recommendation of the Majority of the Overtures Committee, i.e. to answer the request in the negative or decline to have a study committee. The vote in the Committee was close (44-31).
However, due to the close vote, there was a Minority Report. Under our rules, when there is a Minority Report, this is debated first by the Assembly. The Minority Report in this case was presented by Bryan Chapell, President of Covenant Theological Seminary.
A Point of Order was raised by Joey Pipa, President of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The point was that our Book of Church Order is clear on the issue of Women Deacons and any discussion about something which is clear would be improper. The Moderator ruled against this Point of Order, and on a challenge, was narrowly sustained.
As soon as the debate began, folks began lining up at the microphones.
Dave argues a point.
The Minority Report was easily defeated, resulting in the adoption of the Majority Report - there will be no Study Committee on Women Deacons. So the issue is closed for now, or is it? The Assembly concluded its business late Thursday and adjourned.
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