The Assembly and its Publications

The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.

The commissioners review the work of synods, resolve controversies in the church, are responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church, and serve as a symbol of unity for the church.

The combined insights of all those on assembly committees become the recommendations to the whole assembly. If they are approved, they guide the church in the years to come.

Visit the 218th General Assembly Web site for news, business, and events regarding the upcoming assembly. Summary listing of General Assembly actions.

Publications

The following publications are the product of assemblies past and stepping stones for future insight and discernment:

• Constitution of the PC(USA)
• Minutes of the General Assembly
• General Assembly Meeting Helps
• Resolutions of the General Assembly and Study Papers
• Other Resources

Constitution of the PC(USA)

The Book of Confessions

Book of Order

Book of Order en Español

Book of Order, Korean Version (does not contain appendixes)

Book of Order, Portuguese Version

Companion to the Constitution

Role of the Constitution in the Life of the Church

Advisory Opinions

Constitutional Musings

Minutes of the General Assembly

Minutes, Part I, 2002 Large File
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Minutes, Part I, 2003 Large File
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Minutes, Part I, 2004 Large File
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Minutes, Part I, 2006 Large File
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Minutes, Part I, 2008 Large File
For best results, right-click the link (or click and hold for Macintosh), select "save target as" and save the document to your desktop for viewing and printing. Summary listing of General Assembly Actions.

General Assembly Meeting Helps

Organization for Mission (updated December 2008)

Parliamentary Procedure

Standing Rules Updated July 2009

Resolutions of the General Assembly and Study Papers

A Reformed Understanding of Usury for the Twentieth Century

A Theological Understanding of the Relationship Between Christians and Jews

Abolition of For-Profit Private Prisons

Advocacy on Behalf of the Uninsured

Africa Guide for Study and Reflection

Biblical Authority and Interpretation

Building Community Among Strangers: A Plan for Study and Action (Approved by 211th General Assembly (1999))

Christian Obedience in a Nuclear Age

Church Membership Growth

Clergywomen’s Experiences in Ministry: Realities and Challenges

Comfort My People: A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness, with study guide

Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States with Study Guide

Comprehensive Strategy for Ministries with Native Americans

Covenant of Life and Covenant and Creation

Economic Security for Older Adults

Ethical Conduct Standards

Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community

Family Violence: Study Paper

Foundational Principles of Church Governance

From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God's People

God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience (Approved, 200th General Assembly (1988)

God's Work in Women's Hands: Pay Equity and Just Compensation

Historic Principles, Conscience and Church Government

Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human Development

Human Rights Update 2000-2001

Human Rights Update 2001-2002

Human Rights Update 2002-2003

Human Rights Update 2003-2004

International Criminal Courts, Resolution On

Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future

Iraq: On Building Peace and Study Guide: To Repent and to Restore, to Rebuild, and to Reconcile

Is Christ Divided?

Life Abundant: Values, Choices and Health Care - the Responsibility and Role of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform

Limited Water Resources and Takings with Study Guide

Living into the Body of Christ

Nature of the Church and the Practice of Governance

Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling

Presbyterian Understanding and Use of the Holy Scripture

Presbyterians and Human Sexuality 1991

Problem Pregnancies and Abortion: Report of the Special Committee on Problem Pregnancies and Abortion

Problem Pregnancies: Toward a Responsible Decision

Resolution Against Torture 2006

Resolution on Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Against Educators

Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Profit Private Prisons

Resolution on Christian Responsibility and a National Medical Plan

Resolution on Israel and Palestine: End the Occupation Now

Resolution on Just Globalization

Restorative Justice, Resolution on (Approved by the 214th General Assembly (2002)

Revised Catechisms

Sexuality and the Human Community

Sexual Misconduct Policy

Standards of Ethical Conduct

That All May Enter (Recommendation and Full Text Rationale)

The Church and Homosexuality

The Power to Change: U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming

Transforming Families

Turn Mourning Into Dancing

Turn to the Living God

We Are What We Eat

Other Resources

Conscientious Objection: Answers and Resources

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