The Northwest Coast Presbytery has forwarded an overture to General Assembly 227 seeking clarification on two amendments – collectively referred to as the Olympia Overture – that were passed at the 226th assembly and subsequently ratified by local presbyteries.
Amendments 24-A (POL-01) and 24-C (POL-02) added the words “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to categories protected from discrimination (F-1.0403) in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
Related reading: “All Book of Order amendments recommended by GA 226 pass” by Gregg Brekke, Outlook reporting
The passage of 24-C now requires councils of the church to determine a candidate’s commitment to fulfill all requirements expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation, the Historic Principles of Church Order (F-3.01), and in the principles of participation and representation (F-1.0403).
OVT-08: A call for clarity and study
OVT-08, which will come before this summer’s assembly, seeks to establish a special committee to study the theological, ecclesial and pastoral implications of Amendments 24-A and 24-C to the Book of Order. The overture seeks clarity on how those amendments affect freedom of conscience (F-3.0101, F-3.0105), while respecting theological diversity and the constitutional authority of sessions and presbyteries.
The strongly debated two-part change to the denomination’s Book of Order raised questions during 2024’s assembly about the extent to which 24-C would serve as a litmus test for ordination, thereby undermining the freedom-of-conscience principles embedded elsewhere in the Book of Order.
Related reading: Presbyterian Outlook’s complete coverage of the Olympia Overture
“Many faithful Presbyterians hold longstanding, theologically conservative convictions grounded in Scripture and the Reformed confessions,” said Wesley Pak, a ruling elder and author of OVT-08.
“It is important these convictions not become grounds for exclusion or function as an implicit litmus test.”
These concerns are the very questions posed when these amendments were discussed at the GA226. When asked about the intent of OVT-08, Pak said, “It asks the General Assembly to reaffirm in practice the constitutional guarantees of conscience, and must be real and operational, not … theoretical, especially for those who in good faith continue to interpret Scripture and the church’s standards in continuity with historic Reformed teaching.”
Related reading: “#GA226 advances two-part inclusivity change to Book of Order” by Gregg Brekke, Outlook reporting
A document prepared by Seattle Community Church names three explicit items that OVT-08 seeks to address:
“…[F]reedom of conscience remains protected for all members and ministers; local sessions and presbyteries continue to have authority for ordination and membership decisions; Implementation of new wording be done pastorally, not politically. In short, it’s about trusting one another as we follow Christ together … [W]e pray that this overture will help us move forward not in fear, but in faith, humility, and mutual respect.”
An email sent by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians following the presbyteries’ votes celebrated the passage of 24-C, saying it would ensure the denomination’s “commitment to inclusion and diversity will play a more substantial role in decision-making about ordination and installation of ministers, elders and deacons,” as reported by the Outlook in May 2025.
What the Book of Order says about freedom of conscience
While OVT-08 seeks to address unity and diversity and aims to ensure the preservation and protection of diversity of thought, it does not cite G-2.0105 in either the main body or in the rationale, which discusses freedom of conscience as it applies to ordered ministry.
That paragraph in the Book of Order states, “It is recognized … in entering the ordered ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), one chooses to exercise freedom of conscience within certain bounds. His or her conscience is captive to the Word of God as interpreted in the standards of the church so long as he or she continues to seek, or serve in, ordered ministry. The decision … whether a person has departed from essentials of Reformed faith and polity is made initially by the individual … but ultimately becomes the responsibility of the council in which he or she is a member.”
What comes next at General Assembly 227
This overture seems to address the overture’s concerns, and it is a reminder of the concern many have that these amendments will become a litmus test. Denying individuals freedom of conscience in addressing F-1.0403 Unity in Diversity. Explicitly, the “full participation and representation in worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership.” The clarity sought seems to be focused on this phrase and the inclusion of the words “gender identity” and “sexual orientation.”
We will have to wait to see whether anecdotal evidence is presented of 24-A and 24-C being used as a litmus test. The amendments addressed by this overture have raised some concerns from differing theological viewpoints within the denomination. Some stated clerks have asked for clarity on how to evaluate candidates’ answers for ordered ministry.
