The four not referred were withdrawn or declined. Those declined included an expansion of the role of commissioned lay pastors because it involves amendments to the Book of Order are allowed only through committees, not commissioner resolutions. Two others, phasing out advisory committees and opposition to abortion, were declined because the topics are already on the agenda of relevant committees.
Below is a rundown of the commissioner resolutions by number, topic, referral to which committee and further explanation if needed. The full resolutions can be viewed on pc-biz.org.
CR 01—Sharing cost of legal fees for defending the PC(USA) Constitution against congregations joining the New Wineskins non-geographic presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Referred to General Assembly Procedures (03).
CR 02—Increasing youth participation at GA meetings. Referred to Youth (17).
CR 03—Expanding role of commissioned lay pastors. Declined because it involves change to the Book of Order. Such proposals must be submitted 120 days in advance of an Assembly, and CRs cannot involve a change to the Constitution.
CR 04—Global food crisis. Referred to Peacemaking and International Relations (11).
CR 05—Granting presbytery staff advisory vote. Referred to General Assembly Procedures (03).
CR 06—Publishing entity audits in General Assembly minutes. Referred to General Assembly Procedures (03).
CR 07—Encouraging commissioned lay pastor emeritus/a. Referred to Church Orders and Ministry (05).
CR 08—Withdrawn.
CR 09—Human rights in the Philippines. Referred to Social Justice Issues (09).
CR 10—Phasing out advisory committees. Declined. See item 08-16.
CR 11—Ethical interrogations. Referred to Social Justice Issues (09).
CR 12—Emergency food aid for North Korea. Referred to Peacemaking and International Relations (11).
CR 13—Communication strategies. Referred to General Assembly Procedures (03). Primarily deals with developing and implementing communication strategies with concern for media impact and unity of the church.
CR 14—Peace with Iran. Referred to Peacemaking and International Relations (11).
CR 15—Opposition to abortion. Declined due to lack of a second, required signature and the topic is already on the agenda of Health Issues (10-03).
CR 16—Urging gracious response to congregations requesting dismissal. Referred to Church Polity (04).
CR 17—Local enforcement of national immigration laws that adversely affect congregations. Referred to Social Justice Issues (09).
