The first two plenary sessions responding to the recommendations of committees took place today. The first session began at 1:30 pm. By 4:00 pm we had completed all the work that was supposed to take us until 5:30 pm, so we started work that was not scheduled to be dealt with until after supper. I began to wonder if we really were at a GA meeting!!!! So what had we done (selected items only)?

We approved the recommendation from the General Assembly Mission Council via the Committee on Church Growth, Christian Education, and PILP to renew our commitment to help grow Christ’s Church deep and wide by doing a number of things, including growing in evangelism, growing in discipleship, growing in servanthood, and growing in diversity. From the same committee, we approved a new vision statement for the church and youth in the PC(USA).

The Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions asked us to approve working on a new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism, and we approved that. It also asked us to approve the Belhar Confession as an addition to our Book of Confessions. We did, and now that item will be sent to all of the Presbyteries for their votes. The Assembly also agreed with the committee’s recommendation on an item entitled "On Baptism and the Lord’s Supper," a document to be used by pastors in counseling and advising person’s yet to be baptized on their participation in the Lord’s Supper. Finally, the Assembly agreed with the committee’s recommendation to disapprove a change in W-2.3008b of the Book of Order regarding baptism of children. This item sought to add a phrase related to God’s love of the unborn, and the committee (and the Assembly) felt that it was not needed.

We also heard the report from the Committee on Review of the GA Permanent Committees. This was the report that was moved from after supper to before supper. And we still recessed ONE HOUR EARLY!

After supper, we saw a DVD of a church who grew a youth group by reaching out to skate boarders (a large group of kids used the church parking lot for skating), were introduced to some of our ecumenical partners, and voted to confirm the election of Elder Linda B. Valentine to a second, four-year term as the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council.

Then, we took up the report on the new form of government (nFOG). I learned a lot about Robert’s Rules of Order concerning substitute motions, perfecting a motion, etc., etc., etc. There were loads of attempts to amend from the floor or to continue studying the nFOG report. Debate continued for over an hour, and it was a debate marked with civility and sincerity. People on both sides of the question were concerned that our structure be theologically sound (consistent with our historic understanding of Reformed theology) and that it provide a polity that works for a variety of kinds of churches and situations. Finally the question was called and it was time to decide. The vote was 69% for nFOG, 30% against, and 1% abstaining. This overture will also go to the presbyteries for a vote. If it is passed, this means that every session, every presbytery, and every synod will need to rethink their mission and how best to structure themselves to achieve that mission within the framework of nFOG. Most of us have no idea what this will mean in terms of the details, but we do know it means that if we are serious at all levels of trying to figure out how the church can be a better church, we need to be inspired by God to think creatively and seriously about what God is calling us to be and do and how we can best achieve His call.

We finished this work and sang a hymn of praise—and then were dismissed EARLY! This means that I get to go to bed at a decent hour and may be semi-rested tomorrow, when we meet from 9:30 am until ???.