The business of the Assembly moves today to pick up some of the issues around which there is a greater intensity of feeling. The first item of business came from the National Issues committee, "Shall the PCUSA seek the abolition of ‘for-profit" prisons?" Arguments ran the gambit from it is more cost efficient to those who run them are likely to keep prisoners there to get the per deum and make more money. The debate dragged on for a long time. The "families report" now is coming before the Assembly and the Moderator has declared that they will now use the "speaker recognition" process. This report has a majority and minority report. This one is sure to bring about some fireworks. After a protracted debate the Assembly voted to refer the original report, the majority committee report and the minority report to various groups for further consideration and report to next year’s Assembly. Some saw this as a lack of resolve in the part of the Assembly. Another way to say that would be that there was no clear discernment as to what the Spirit is saying to the Church on this issue.

The Assembly recessed a bit early for lunch. Upon return from lunch the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry was the first to report. This is the Committee responsible for dealing with the Overture to delete the "chastity and fidelity" section of the Book of Order. The Committee recommended sending an amendment to the presbyteries for vote to delete that section. Those who had been working for the deletion of this section, the Covenant Network, does not feel it is the time for sending such an amendment to the presbyteries at this time. A substitute motion was offered to defer action and to refer the issue to the Theological Task Group and not to send it to the presbyteries as an amendment. The Commissioners voted to make the substitute the main motion by a vote of 68% to 32%. Another substitute motion was offered to refer the issue to the Theological Task Force and to eliminate the Authoritative Interpretations to G-6.0106b. The substitute was defeated. The Assembly voted to adopt the action to defer action on the deletion of G-6.0106b and to refer the issue to the Theological Task Force by an 82% affirmative vote. The debate was very calm. There were no histrionics, demonstrations or disturbances. Among many in the middle governing body and observers this action was welcomed. While it does not solve anything, it does provide us with a year when we will not be facing a vote in the presbyteries on this divisive issue. (Moderator Susan continues to do a wonderful job in the chair and has been acknowledged with appreciation by the Commissioners.)

The Church Orders and Ministry continued with a request from Donegal Presbytery for an Interpretative on defining "self-acknowledged" in G-6.0106b. The Committee had recommended that the request only be answered with comment that no AI was needed. An amendment offered to amend the comments. The substitute motion passed by four votes. The recommendation, as amended, was been approved.

The Church Orders and Ministry Committee then recommended that ministers accused of sexual misconduct with a minor be placed on "administrative leave." A minority report provided for the "option" of an administrative leave. The issue was between required administrative leave and optional administrative leave. The minority report was rejected. The majority report was approved by a show of hands.

A memorial for Mr. Rogers was presented by Gregg Hartung, Executive Director of Presbyterian Media Mission.

After dinner the Assembly resumed its business considering the only report left to come before the Commissioners, Church Polity. The Committee brought several items dealing with clarifying portions of the Rules of Discipline and judicial process; clarifying the ability of a designated associate pastor to be called to the position of associate pastor; and a response of a pastoral letter on urging middle governing bodies in assisting sessions and presbyteries in maintaining adherence to Constitution. A minority report to the latter was offered which would require the office of the Stated Clerk to develop procedures for training middle governing bodies in administrative review. Another substitute motion was offered to combine the majority and minority reports since the majority report calls for a pastoral letter and the minority report called for the development of procedures for training. This substitute motion failed. The majority report was adopted.

The Assembly agreed with the disapproval of reducing the Book of Order to just the first four chapters of the Form of Government.

The Assembly will undoubtedly recess for the evening at a very reasonable hour. Some of us "old timers" remember the Friday evening sessions which ran early into the hours of Saturday morning. None of us missed those "good old days." These Commissioners will be able to go home in a far better frame of mind than if they were to have gone to be at 2:30 on Saturday morning and returning to breakfast, worship, plenary and traveling home beginning at 7:00 Saturday morning. It is more humane. I wonder how things will go when we move to biennial Assemblies and twice the number of overtures and reports are before the Assembly with an increased number of Commissioners.

A whole host of Commissioners, staff, and observers from the East will be heading out early tomorrow (even before the Assembly adjourns) for our flight home. We are very glad the terror alert has been dropped to yellow, as this will expedite some of the security. Even though our flight leaves at 10:05 in the morning Erin and I will not get to Dubois until about 7:00 (pending the high wind warnings for tomorrow afternoon and evening). We will all be glad to return to our homes. I feel sorry for the minister Commissioners who must climb into their pulpits Sunday morning, weary from the week and their travels. Gary Lyon is one of these unfortunate preachers.

We can be proud of our Commissioners and their attention to fulfilling their responsibilities in deliberation and voting.

One of the joys for me was seeing YAD Eric Lomas from Parsons, Kansas. Nearly twenty years ago I baptized Eric. He is a fine young man, following in the solid faith and participation in the church as witnessed by his parents Lyle and Connie Lomas.

After we return and have some time to recover and reflect I may have more to post.