One year after the adjournment of a General Assembly, the changes approved by the Presbyteries and received by the 222nd Assembly go into effect. That is TODAY, June 25, 2017!
Briefly, as of today:
- There is a revised Directory For Worship “shorter, better organized, more accessible, and thoroughly Reformed” (see the rationale for more)
- “teaching elder” is now “Minister of Word and Sacrament”; “ruling elders” are “elders”, “commissioned ruling elders” are “commissioned lay pastors”
- With the addition of “caring for God’s creation”, there are now 12 areas of member involvement specified in G-1.0304
- All councils are required to have a “child and youth protection policy” as well as a sexual misconduct policy
- A Minister of the Word and Sacrament who has renounced jurisdiction of the church can seek rehabilitation and restoration
These highlights are from an Article in the The Presbyterian Outlook 222nd General Assembly amendments roundup by Stephen Salyards
