Overture 61

On Adopting an Authoritative Interpretation of the Book of Order—From the Presbytery of Palo Duro.

The Presbytery of Palo Duro overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to approve the following as an authoritative interpretation of language used in the Book of Order.

1. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a covenant community (The Book of Confessions, 5.124-.141). Section G-6.0108 maintains that, for the sake of the integrity of our common life as a covenant community, it is of great consequence that our leaders adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long sought to maintain a healthy balance between requiring adherence to essentials of faith and polity, while permitting our officers liberty of conscience regarding nonessential matters.

2. The preface to the Book of Order states the following:

In this Book of Order

(1) SHALL and IS TO BE/ARE TO BE signify practice that is mandated.

(2) SHOULD signifies practice that is strongly recommended.

(3) IS APPROPRIATE signifies practice that is commended as suitable.

(4) MAY signifies practice that is permitted but not required.

3. The General Assembly, through its Permanent Judicial Commission in the Londonderry decision (Minutes, 2001, Part I, p. 577, paragraph 12.1028), has determined that every part of the Constitution must be read with force, since the church is a covenantal community (The Book of Confessions, 5.124-.141). In other words, no ordaining body is permitted to selectively disregard or demote a mandate of the Book of Order, for this would break the bonds of covenantal community. This is foundational to the peace, unity, and purity of the church.

4. Thus, regardless of whether or not an individual or lower governing body agrees with the constitutional mandates of the church, the covenantal nature of the church requires that in practice they defer to the discernment of the majority (G-1.0400; G-4.0301e). Protesting and laboring to effect change in the decision of the majority are proper, while defiance and subversion are not. Further, to intentionally void any part of the Constitution of meaning, through reading it in non-plain face language, or by ignoring it, as if the individual interpreter is a constitution unto himself, herself, or itself, is to stand in schism.