General Assembly
General Assembly
Upcoming
223rd General Assembly (2018) – June 16-23, 2018 St. Louis
224th General Assembly (2020) - June 20-27, 2020 Baltimore
225th General Assembly (2022) - June 25 - July 2, 2022 Columbus
WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half will be teaching elders. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.
It reviews the work of synods, resolves controversies in the church, is responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church, and serves as a symbol of unity for the church.
The General Assembly has several specific responsibilities outlined in Chapter 3 of the Book of Order. The assembly seeks to protect our church from errors in faith and practice, is responsible for assuring that the expression of our theology remains true to the biblical standards in our historic confessions. The General Assembly presents a witness for truth and justice in our community and in the world community. It sets priorities for the church and establishes relationships with other churches or ecumenical bodies.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
First, reports and recommendations come from the various arms of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly.
The Office of the General Assembly, headed by the Stated Clerk, is the ecclesiastical arm of the church. The Stated Clerk and his staff work to ensure that the Presbyterian Church maintains itself as a church. The Office of the General Assembly carries out all constitutional, and most ecumenical functions at the General Assembly.
Mission programs are carried out by the Presbyterian Mission Agency which supervises the work directed to be done by the General Assembly, and can make certain decisions on behalf of the Assembly.
Overtures from synods and presbyteries are the second source of General Assembly business. These governing bodies use Overtures to bring recommendations and matters of concern before the whole church.
Commissioners Resolutions are a third source of General Assembly business. As a commissioner one is entitled to sign two resolutions which will come before the whole assembly.
The meeting begins with an orientation on Saturday afternoon and that evening the plenary, or whole General Assembly, meets together to elect a Moderator from among the commissioners assembled.
The Moderator presides over the plenary meetings for the rest of the week.
Once a Moderator is elected, the assembly breaks up into assembly committees to consider particular kinds of business. Each committee is responsible for considering a number of items, and reporting back to the General Assembly on completed actions or their recommendations
The combined insights of all those on assembly committees become the recommendations to the whole assembly. If they are approved, they guide the church in the years to come.
Need historical information from past assemblies?
Contact PresbyTel
(800) 872-3283
presbytel@pcusa.org.
General Assembly Meeting Service
(888) 728-7228, x2417
gameetingservice@pcusa.org
News & Statements
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Seminary students gain experience—and credit—for attending General Assembly
Jan 22, 2016
Returning to a tradition begun in 1993 by Rev. Dr. Jack Rogers—seminary professor emeritus, acclaimed author, and former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—seminary students will ...
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PC(USA) Moderator takes ‘Call to the Church’ on the road
Jan 20, 2016
Heath Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is extending his “Call to the Church” to locations around the country. Rada hopes to continue dialog ...
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GA committee reviewing the Presbyterian Mission Agency submits its report
Jan 6, 2016
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly committee tasked with reviewing the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) has submitted its final report to the 222nd General Assembly (2016), recommending significant changes to ...
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Deadline for Stated Clerk applications draws near
Dec 16, 2015
The deadline is nearing for applications to be received by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) committee tasked with nominating the next Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. Potential applicants have until ...
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Sweaty Sheep sponsors Pedaling Pilgrimage to the 222nd General Assembly
Dec 10, 2015
In June, hundreds of Presbyterians will be climbing into airplanes, cars, or buses bound to Portland, Oregon, for the 222nd General Assembly (2016). But one group of assembly-goers will be ...
Featured Events
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222nd General Assembly (2016)
June 18 - 25, 2016
Portland, OR
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223rd General Assembly (2018)
June 16 - 23, 2018
St. Louis, MO