Office of the General Assembly

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission is staffed by the department of Constitutional Services.

“Church discipline is the church’s exercise of authority given by Christ.” (Book of Order, D-1.0101). 

Judicial process is the exercise of authority for the church by the councils for the correction of:

1. irregularities and delinquencies taken by councils, the Mission Agency, or an entity of the General Assembly (referred to as remedial cases); and
2. offenses by individual members (referred to as disciplinary cases). 

Judicial process is explained in the Rules of Discipline found in the Book of Order, which is Part Two of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The General Assembly, each synod, and each presbytery elects a permanent judicial commission composed of ministers and elders subject to its jurisdiction. The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) is composed of one member elected by the General Assembly from each of its constituent synods (16).   The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission issues Authoritative Interpretations of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its decisions.  

Laurie Griffith
Manager of Judicial Process And Social Witness
Office of the General Assembly
888-728-7228 ext. 5432
email: laurie.griffith@pcusa.org

Diane Minter
Paralegal and Senior Administrative Assistant
Office of the General Assembly
888-728-7228 ext. 5421
email: diane.minter@pcusa.org