With roughly one-third of presbyteries having reported their votes to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of the General Assembly (OGA), most, if not all, recommended changes to the Book of Order appear likely to pass in the coming months.
OGA’s March 10, 2025, report reveals that an average of 84 out of 167 presbyteries have voted on the amendments proposed by the denomination’s 226th General Assembly, which convened in the summer of 2024. This figure represents a midpoint in the presbyteries’ timeline to submit their votes on suggested changes ahead of the July 4, 2025, deadline.
Expanding non-discrimination
The most strongly debated changes at the General Assembly continue to create discussion in presbytery gatherings and online. A two-part change to the denomination’s Book of Order, presented in the POL-01 overture, recommended adding gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of the “rich diversity” reflected in the church’s membership (recommendation 1, section F-1.0403) and subsequently recommended an examination of these principles for ordination and installation (recommendation 2, section G-2.0104b).
At issue during the debate was the extent to which recommendation 2 would serve as a litmus test for ordination, undermining freedom of conscience principles embedded elsewhere in the Book of Order.
Recommended changes to F-1.0403 read as follows (changed text underlined):
The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, [gender identity, sexual orientation,] disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership. No member shall be denied participation or representation for any reason other than those stated in this Constitution.
Recommended changes to G-2.0104b read as follows (changed text underlined):
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (F-1.02). The council responsible for ordination and/or installation (G-2.0402; G-2.0607; G-3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.0404)[, the Historic Principles of Church Order (F-3.01), and in the principles of participation and representation found in F-1.0403]. Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.
While the first recommendation (24-A, changes to F-1.0403) has been overwhelmingly approved by presbyteries 75-8, the vote on the second recommendation (24-C, changes to G-2.0104b) has received a less enthusiastic reception with a 52-29 vote. With 86 presbyteries yet to vote on 24-C, and 32 votes needed for it to pass the 50% mark, it looks likely to be adopted given its current trajectory.
But that doesn’t mean the debate is concluded over what “a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation” means, as it pertains to the “principles of participation and representation found in F-1.0403.”
Located in central Pennsylvania, the Presbytery of Huntingdon voted not to approve either 24-A (18-25) or 24-C (18-23). Huntingdon’s general presbyter, Kathleen Sillman, said attendees at the meeting where the amendments were voted on “worked hard to maintain a spirit of love and listening” and be mindful of the relational aspects of the debate and eventual vote.
Saying the amendments made the PC(USA) “a place of radical welcome and inclusivity,” the Rev. Anne Ard encouraged the Presbytery of Huntingdon to approve the amendments.
The Rev. Brett Hoover, who voted against the amendments at the Huntingdon presbytery meeting, voiced his concern that the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity would drive older and more conservative members out of the church. He said the new language would create a conflict with the denomination’s historical commitment to freedom of conscience and be used to marginalize those holding traditional views on human sexuality and identity.
Throughout the debate at General Assembly 226, the Rev. Brian Ellison of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians maintained that the changes reflected in amendment 24-C do not negate the freedom of conscience of candidates for ordination.
On October 29, 2024, prior to most presbyteries taking up the constitutional changes, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians sent a special edition of its newsletter in which it said (bold text from original):
“Amendment 24-A would for the first time clearly state in our Constitution the church’s commitment to representation of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. And Amendment 24-C would clarify that discussion of the church’s diversity is essential, even as we preserve the freedom of local councils to make ordination and installation decisions. Nothing in these amendments restricts anyone’s freedom of conscience, and their passage will ensure greater openness and transparency, to the benefit of LGBTQIA+ people, other marginalized groups, and the whole church.”
Tricia Dykers Koenig, who spent 16 years as the national organizer for the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and who most recently has been seen on the dais of General Assembly serving as parliamentarian, published a lengthy rationale for voting against 24-C on February 17, 2025, in the PC(USA) Leaders Facebook group.
In part, she said, the amendment, “sends a performative signal of support, it’s unlikely actually to contribute to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ persons.”
She continued by saying an amended rule will “not change hearts and minds,” rather relationships will, adding, “[a]n atmosphere of mutual respect among differing convictions is most conducive to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ persons and to the health of the church.”
By reducing the discussion to polity, rather than personal relationships, Dykers Koenig asserted the conversation and requirements of examination continually introduced debate that is personal and emotionally fraught.
“24-C proposes mandating such emotional encounters repeatedly; some will be affirming, and some will not,” she said “How does this benefit LGBTQIA+ persons? It may even be harmful in some cases, for example, if the requirement to engage the topic in every examination in every session and presbytery puts pressure on candidates who are still closeted for other reasons to come out before they are ready.”
Other changes
Ten other changes to the Book of Order and an ecumenical ministry sharing agreement with the Episcopal Church have all received overwhelming approval from presbyteries and are almost guaranteed to pass.
Of interest in these recommended amendments are changes to representation at the General Assembly (24-J, G-3.0501), the extension of temporary pastoral relationships from 12 to 36 months (24-E, G-2.0504b), and the expansion of policies on sexual misconduct; harassment; child, youth and vulnerable adult protections; and antiracism policies (24-H, G-3.0106).
The constitutional change 24-M, the “Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries,” currently has a 60-2 approval vote. If passed, it will allow PC(USA) Teaching Elders to be accepted in “Episcopal appointments such as ecumenical ministries and cooperating parishes where the Episcopal Church has the right of appointment,” and conversely, Episcopal priests to be accepted in “Presbyterian placements and in ecumenical ministries where the Presbyterian Church has the right of appointment.” The agreement does not extend to commissioned pastors or ruling elders in the PC(USA) or to deacons in the Episcopal Church.
Follow along for the Outlook’s coverage of this and other polity issues being voted on by presbyteries over the next four months.
Editor’s note: This article originally referred to data in OGA’s February 24 report. A day after publishing, we’ve updated the data to reflect OGA’s March 10 report. This is the last update to numbers that we will do for this specific story, but we plan to write more about Book of Order amendments.
