While the deadline for reporting results to the Stated Clerk is July 10 – one year from the adjournment of the 219th General Assembly, which sent them to the presbyteries, and the same day that amendments to the Book of Order go into effect – all the proposed amendments have already received approval from a majority of the presbyteries.

The Belhar Confession has also been approved by a majority of the presbyteries, but not the 2/3 majority required for a change to the Book of Confessions.

Amendment 10-1 (“nFOG”) is a revision and simplification of the Form of Government that divides the first part of the current Book of Order into two sections – Foundations of Presbyterian Polity (replacing the first four chapters) and Form of Government (replacing chapters 5-18).  The approval of nFOG affects the other amendments proposed to the Form of Government.

Amendment 10-A revises the ordination standard in G-6.0106b.  With changes in terminology consistent with nFOG (“governing body” becomes “council” and “office” becomes “ordered ministry”), the new paragraph will be G-2.0104b:

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-4.4003). Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

Amendment 10-B adds language about the removal of a clerk at G-3.0104 and G-3.0110.

Amendment 10-C, requiring all councils to have a sexual misconduct policy, adds language to G-3.0106.

Amendment 10-D would have changed the membership of presbytery and synod nominating committees, but is superseded by the more flexible requirement in nFOG G-3.0111.  Councils will be free to establish their own policies, and might choose the current requirement, the pattern in 10-D, or another that meets local needs “in conformity with the church’s commitment to unity in diversity.”

Amendment 10-E adds language about presbytery registers for Commissioned Ruling Elders and Certified Christian Educators at G-3.0104.

Amendment 10-F, concerning presbytery participation by Certified Christian Educators, adds language at G-2.1103b.

Amendment 10-G, on the functions of synods, is largely consistent with nFOG G-3.0404 and will add language there.

Amendment 10-H, on General Assembly nominations process, is superseded by nFOG G-3.0109 and G-3.0111.

The rest of the amendments are to the Directory for Worship and the Rules of Discipline, which have not been changed by nFOG.

Amendment 10-I adds to the ordination and installation questions in W-4.4000 a mutual commitment to prayer.

Amendment 10-J clarifies procedures for a stay of enforcement, and reduces the deadline for entering a stay from 45 to 30 days after the action being complained against.

Amendment 10-K makes the dismissal of a case automatic when no challenge is made to the determination by a Permanent Judicial Commission moderator and clerk that one or more of the preliminary questions would not allow a case to proceed.

Amendment 10-L clarifies the role of an investigating committee in preventing repetitive allegations against an individual – an important protection against harrassment by disciplinary process.

Amendment 10-M extends the time limit for filing charges from three to five years after the commission of an alleged offense.

Amendment 10-N removes the ability of a prosecuting committee to appeal a not-guilty verdict, restoring D-13.0102 and D-13.0106 to pre-2005 wording and eliminating double jeopardy.

Amendment 10-O also addressed the problems with appealing a not-guilty verdict, and has become moot with the approval of 10-N.