Last evening the Commissioners were given a gift of the evening off. This is only the second time that I can recall, actually a colleague had to remind me of the first, that the Assembly has been able to take an evening off. This is quite different than the times when the Assembly has gone late into the night.

During this week I have continued to deal with the residual affects of having had strep and bronchitis a few weeks ago. It is amazing how a low grade fever and cough can take the energy and zest from a person. I cannot begin to imagine how those with chronic breathing conditions, like Graham Cox-Holmes, press through the day with even greater drains upon them.

Today the Assembly will deal with two thorny issues: abortion concerns and ordination standards.

The recommendation of the Health and Social Issues Committee was to refer to the Advisory Committees on Litigation and Social Witness Policy an overture dealing with third trimester abortions. This recommen- dation passed. The Committee recommended referral to the Advisory Committees on Litigation and Social Witness Policy an overture expressing moral opposition to abortions of a fetus 20 weeks or later. The Assembly acted to approve this recommendation. This recommendation The Committee was for disapproval of an overture requiring the Board of Pensions to provide for the notification of at least one parent 48 hours in advance prior to this procedure being provided to an dependent daughter under the age of 18. There was a minority report on this recommendation which called for a new task force to be appointed for a new study on abortion using data and information developed since 1990. The minority report was defeated and the Committee’s recommendation prevailed. The Committee recommended approval of an overture dealing with a resolution on the use of fetal tissue and stem cell research. The Assembly approved the Committee’s recommendation.

It is beginning to seem that giving the Commissioners the night off yesterday may have been a mistake. Now, because of the load of business and the extent that each speech, on the next major item "ordination standards," will be limited to two minutes. We now move to "sound bite" debate. Oh well, I’m just grouchy (yeah, I know what’s new?).

The Moderator noted that the members of the majority and minority positions of the Ordination Standards Committee were praying together prior to coming onto the platform. He asked that the other three people who had stood for election as Moderator join him on the platform for prayer before we move into the report of the Ordination Standards Committee report.

The first primary issue was whether or not to refer to the Peace, Unity and Purity Task Force a request that they report back on the experience of church bodies which permit the ordination of homosexual people. Quickly a motion was made to close debate, which carried. The Assembly acted to refer as recommended.

It is unfortunate that the General Assembly News Service reported the action of the Assembly (on the web and in print) in a manner which is unnecessarily inflammatory. As I watched and listened to the Assembly consider, debate and act upon the recommendation its Committee, I saw the Assembly struggling to find a way to remove a top-down legislative style, of trying to find a just and righteous way to address a overture which had been supported by 29 of the 173 presbyteries, to lower the contentious spirit in the church, and to seek the mind of Christ. At several points during the process the Moderator called the Assembly into prayer prior to moving to voting. Commissioners were considerate in the tone and choice of words. This was one of the best sessions of the Assembly I have witnessed in several years.

The next item included a recommendation on amending the Book of Order by deleting G-6.0106b, adding a sentence to g-6.0106a (Their suitability to hold office is determined by the governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes place, guided by scriptural and constitutional standards, under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ.), and the nullification of the 1978 and 1979 authoritative interpretation. A minority report was offered, which takes us into that complicated route of parliamentary procedure which requires the "perfecting" of the majority and minority reports, through amendments, then deciding which of the two options will be before the Assembly for consideration, and finally whether the Assembly will approve or disapprove that option.

The majority report was amended in the following manner and declared "perfected."

To direct the Moderator to send a pastoral letter to the church explaining the Assembly’s action.

The minority report was not amended and declared "perfected."

Now the debate moves to which of the two options will be before the Assembly for action. Long lines of Commissioners and Advisory Delegates grew at each microphone to debate the worthiness of the minority report as a substitute for the majority report. The debates were decorous, while intensely expressing the polarity in the majority and minority reports. After an hour of debate the debate was closed. The question was put to the Assembly, "Shall the minority report be substituted for the majority report?" The advisory delegates voted not to make the substitution. The Commissioners voted 56% against substituting the minority report for majority report.

A substitute motion was offered which would revise G-6.0106b which would read Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage, or chastity in singleness. Final determination of their suitability to hold office shall remain with the governing body where examination for ordination or installation takes places.

A motion was made to refer all pending motions to the Theological Task Force. The effect of this would be that this Assembly would take no action on this issue.

A motion was made to end debate on ALL pending items. The Commissioners voted to end debate on ALL pending items. This means there will be no more debate on this issue in any of the forms in which it is before the Assembly.

The Commissioners voted not to refer to the Theological Task Force.

The Commissioners voted not to substitute the new language for the majority report by 61%.

The Commissioners voted to adopt the main motion, as amended by 60 % (317 yes 208 no 5 abstentions)

What this means is that the Presbyteries will be asked to vote on whether the Book of Order shall be amended by the deletion of G-6.0106b and the other changes as in the majority report as amended to include the pastoral letter from the Moderator. At this point, nothing changes until the presbyteries vote on the suggested amendment to the Book of Order.

There was so much more which the Assembly considered and acted on. Sex is not the only issue before the Assembly. The Assembly acted to adopt a very thorough and helpful paper on domestic violence. The Assembly commissioned over 300 mission personnel. National and world issues were addressed in a manner to bring the grace of Christ to people in desperate situations. The Assembly adopted an innovative program for higher education. So much happened it would take pages and pages to recount it all.

Tomorrow the Assembly will worship, celebrating the Sacrament of Communion; will adopt a per capita budget for 2002, and will adjourn. Even though some of my comments have raised questions and concerns about the Assembly process I want it plainly known that I do maintain and believe that through, and often in spite of, us Holy Spirit does work to guide, comfort, and strengthen the church. I believe the Commissioners of this Assembly are to be thanked for their hard work, their careful consideration of the issues before them, and allowing one another to be heard in a respectful manner in the committees, on the floor of the Assembly and in social conversations.