Amending the Constitution of the PC(USA)

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is comprised of two parts: Part One is The Book of Confessions, the doctrinal statements of the church; Part Two is the Book of Order, the governance document.

To amend The Book of Confessions:

1) A General Assembly must approve a proposed amendment, usually after a number of years of study, and recommend it to the presbyteries for ratification;

2) Two-thirds of the 173 presbyteries must vote to ratify the proposed amendment prior to the convening of the ensuing General Assembly;

3) The next ensuing General Assembly must give final approval and enactment.

The Book of Confessions is rarely amended.

To amend the Book of Order:

1) A General Assembly must approve a proposed amendment, only after it has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on the Constitution, and recommend it to the presbyteries for ratification;

2) A majority of the 173 presbyteries must vote to ratify the proposed amendment prior to the convening of the ensuing General Assembly.

3) After hearing the official results of presbytery voting, the ensuing General Assembly declares the amendment made.

The Book of Order is amended several times each assembly cycle.