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The Some Assembly Required Overtures Guide
Notes on the 53rd General Assembly
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Type
O#
TITLE
(To read an overture, click on the title below)
Presbytery
Priority
Recommendation
Rationale
Committee Rec
(See report for additional info)
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Priority0. Diaconate/ Women14Amend BCO 7-3, 7-4, 9-2, and 9-7 to Regarding Titles and Offices for Unordained PeopleSouthwest FloridaLowAffirmativeUnclear | CCB
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High10. Diaconate/ Women34Amend BCO 9-2 Regarding the Expectation of the Establishment of a DiaconateSavannah RiverLowAffirmative as AmendedIn Conflict | CCB
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Medium00. Diaconate/ Women36Add BCO 8-11 and 9-8 Regarding the Exercise of the Duties and Authority of Elder and DeaconCatawba ValleyHighNegativeIn Conflict | CCB
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Low20. Diaconate/ Women37Amend BCO 9-3 to Allow Women to Serve as Ordained DeaconsPacific​ReferenceIn Conflict | CCB
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Recommendation0. Diaconate/ Women38Amend BCO 7-3 and add 9-8 to Allow Sessions Flexibility Regarding the DiaconateMetro Atlanta​Refer BackIn Conflict | CCB
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Affirmative10. Diaconate/ Women48Amend BCO 7-2 and 7-3 Regarding Commissioning and Titling of Unordained PersonsNorthwest Georgia​Refer to next GANot in Conflict | CCB
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Affirmative as Amended10. Diaconate/ Women52Add BCO 7-4 Prohibiting the Creation of Ecclesiastical OfficesMississippi Valley​Postpone IndefinatelyNot in Conflict | CCB
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Negative10. Diaconate/ Women61Declare the ‘Danvers Statement’ as a Biblically Faithful DeclarationCalvary​​N/A
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Reference10. Diaconate/ Women71Amend BCO 5-9.e, 9-2, and 9-7 to Allow Session to Directly Administer Diaconal MinistryNorthern California Presbytery​​In Conflict | CCB
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Refer Back10. Diaconate/ Women72Add a new BCO 12-8 to Require Recording of Session and Diaconate Members in Session MinutesPresbytery of the Ascension​​In Conflict | CCB
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Refer to next GA10. Diaconate/ Women74Add a New Chapter BCO 17A ‘Of Commissioning for Non-Ordained Ministry’Eastern Carolina Presbytery​​In Conflict | CCB
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Postpone Indefinately11. Form of Government1Amend BCO 23-1 on Associate/Assistant Pastors Succeeding Senior PastorPotomac​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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Quick Links1. Form of Government2Amend BCO 5-4 for Consent of Mission Church Members in Calling a PastorWisconsin​​In Conflict | CCB
No Rec | MNA
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Polity Matters Website1. Form of Government12Amend BCO 21-4.a to Allow Alternatives to a Bachelor’s Degree for OrdinationChesapeake​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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Overtures Library1. Form of Government17Amend BCO 5-2 Regarding the Dissolution of Mission ChurchesWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
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Support us!1. Form of Government18Amend BCO 5-4 to Allow a Mother Church to Call a Church PlanterWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
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1. Form of Government19Amend BCO 5-8 to Include Ecclesiastical GovernmentWestminster​​In Conflict | CCB
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Sticky Note1. Form of Government20Add to BCO 5 a Section ‘C. Churches Without a Governing Body’Westminster​​In Conflict | CCB
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This blank overtures guide is for your benefit and preparation. Simply click “File" and then "Make a Copy" to start your work in preparation for the next General Assembly. This tool is a companion to the Overtures Library App that shares the opinions of other elders in the church. The slicers at the top of the sheet are to help filter information. With so many overtures, it may be helpful to narrow by type and importance.1. Form of Government21Amend BCO 13-6 to Clarify Exams for Ministers from Another DenominationWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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1. Form of Government22Amend BCO 13-8 to Apply Only to Churches from Outside the PCAWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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1. Form of Government23Restructure and Renumber BCO 14 for Clarity and Ease of ReferenceWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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1. Form of Government24Amend BCO 15-2 to Clarify that Presbytery Itself Must Conduct Ordination ExamsWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
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1. Form of Government25Restructure and Amend BCO 21-1 through 21-4 for Clarity, Consistency, and Ease of ReferenceWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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1. Form of Government26Amend BCO 26-2 to Only Count Presbyteries Who Submit VotesWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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1. Form of Government39Amend BCO 22 to Affirm the Consent of the Governed for Assistant PastorsCentral Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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Abbreviations1. Form of Government49Amend BCO 13-1 and 14-2 to Increase Ruling Elder Representation at Presbytery and GANorthwest Georgia​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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AC | Administrative Committee1. Form of Government51Amend BCO 5 to add a Section on ‘Assisted Churches’Mississippi Valley​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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BCO | Book of Church Order1. Form of Government55Amend BCO 22-3 and 23-1 Concerning the Tenure of Assistant PastorsSouthwest Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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CC | Covenant College1. Form of Government57Amend BCO 12-7, 13-9, and 25-5 to Explicitly Require Minutes of Congregational Meetings Be Included in Session RecordsSouth Texas​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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CCB | Committee on Constitutional Business1. Form of Government58Amend BCO 10-4 to Specify that Clerks Must Be EldersCalvary​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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CDM | Christian Discipleship Committee1. Form of Government64Amend BCO 23-2 to Establish Associate Membership for Honorably Retired TEsCanada West​​In Conflict | CCB
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CTS | Covenant Theological Seminary1. Form of Government68Amend BCO 14-1 to Make AC Members Appointed by Committees and Agencies Non-voting MembersCatawba Valley​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Negative | CC, CDM, CTS, MTW, RH, and RUF
No Rec | AC, GEN, PCAF.
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GEN | Geneva Benefits1. Form of Government82Amend BCO 12, 13, and 25 to Clarify the Right of the Congregation to Give Consent to those who Exercise Authority Over ThemRocky Mountain​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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IRC | Interchurch Relations Committee1. Form of Government84Amend BCO 12 and 13 to Require Annual Attestation of Officer’s ViewsNorthwest Georgia​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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MNA | Mission to North America1. Form of Government13Amend BCO 15-2 Regarding Session CommissionsGreat Lakes​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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MTW | Mission to the World2. Rules of Discipline3Amend BCO 32-20 and 32-21 Regarding Dismissing ChargesNew York State​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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PCAF | PCA Foundation2. Rules of Discipline15Amend BCO 42-4 and 43-3 to Clarify the Deadline for FilingsSouthwest Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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RAO | Rules of Assembly Operation2. Rules of Discipline16Amend BCO 43 to Clarify Circularizing the CourtSouthwest Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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RH | Ridgehaven Camp2. Rules of Discipline27Amend BCO 34-1 Regarding GA Assuming Original JurisdictionWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
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RUF: Reformed University Fellowship2. Rules of Discipline28Add BCO 41-7 to Provide a Right to Complain when a Presbytery Acts on a ReferenceWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline29Amend BCO 42 to Clarify Between Verbal and Written Notice of AppealWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline30Amend BCO 46-6 to Require the Recording of the Reception of One Dismissed to Another PresbyteryWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline35Amend BCO 31-2 to Establish a Deadline for the Issuing of an IndictmentIlliana​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline42Restore the Reference to the Westminster Standards at the end of BCO 29-1Northern California​​Merely Editorial | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline46Add BCO 29-5 on Public Allegations without Prior Reporting to the Court of Jurisdiction as Probable Violations of the Ninth CommandmentNew York State​​In Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline54Amend BCO 42-2 to Clarify that a Person Judged Contumacious has the Right of Complaint Not AppealHills and Plains​​In Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline56Amend BCO 32-19 to Limit Representation in Judicial Process to OfficersSouthwest Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline59Amend BCO 38-3.a to Recognize the Non-Punitive Removal of Individuals from Membership RollCalvary​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline65Amend BCO 38-1 re Confessions and Cases without ProcessCanada West​​In Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline67Amend BCO 40-5 to Clarify a Court Shall Make Two Determinations before Citing a Lower CourtPotomac​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline69Amend BCO 32-18 and 42-5 to Clarify the Contents of the Record of the Case in Judicial CasesSouthwest Florida Presbytery​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline75Amend BCO 42 to Clarify the Process for Filing an AppealCentral Florida Presbytery​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline85Add BCO 44 on ObjectionsNorthwest Georgia​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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2. Rules of Discipline86Amend BCO 43 to Rename Complaints as InquiriesSession of Grace Covenant Church​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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3. Directory of Worship31Amend BCO 58-5 to Specify that Ruling Elders Shall Distribute the ElementsWestminster​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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3. Directory of Worship60Amend BCO 58-5 to Specify that Only Men Lawfully Ordained Shall Distribute the ElementsCalvary​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation5Amend RAO 5-1.a that AC Members Elected by GA Must Be from Different PresbyteriesPacific Northwest​​Not in Conflict | CCB
No Rec | AC
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation6Amend RAO 14-9, 15-8, and add 16-7.h to Require 150 Commissioners to Remove from an OmnibusPacific Northwest​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation7Amend RAO 16 Regarding RPR’s Reporting on Presbytery RecordsPacific Northwest​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation8Amend RAO 8-4.i to Set the Deadline for Floor Nominations 24 Hours EarlierPacific Northwest​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation9Amend RAO 8-4.i to Highlight Proportionate Representation of Presbyteries by Floor NominationsHills and Plains​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation11Amend RAO 4-21.d to Require Assessment Data from MNAOhio​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Negative | MNA
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation32Amend RAO 14-3 for the Review of Committee and Agency Standing Rules and ManualsWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
Negative | CC
Refer Back | AC, CDM, CTS, GEN, MNA, MTW, PCAF, RH, and RUF
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation33Amend RAO 16-7.h Regarding Minority Reports from RPRWestminster​​Unclear | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation40Amend RAO 4-9 to Set Calendar Year Terms for Stated Clerk and CoordinatorsSavannah River​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Affirmative | MNA
Negative | AC, CDM, MTW, and RUF
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation41Amend RAO 4-9 to Require 2/3 Majority to Elect Stated Clerk and CoordinatorsSavannah River​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Negative | AC, CDM, MTW, and RUF
No Rec | MNA
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation43Amend RAO 4-9 so that Coordinators of Committees are Elected to 4-year TermsPacific Northwest​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Affirmative | AC, MNA MTW, and RUF
Negative | CDM
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation45Amend RAO 8-4.i to Require that Floor Nominations for Committees and Agencies Come from Previously Submitted Presbytery NomineesCovenant​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation47Amend RAO 8-4.i to Require that Floor Nominations for Committees and Agencies Come from Previously Submitted Presbytery NomineesSuncoast Florida​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation53Amend RAO 16 to Prohibit Members of RPR from Participating in GA Debate on the RPR ReportGreat Lakes​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation63Amend RAO 19-4 to Establish Preference in Recognition for an Objector to an In Gross MotionSouth Texas​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation73Amend RAO 4-9 to Require 2/3 Majority to Elect Stated Clerk and Coordinators after 3 Consecutive Years of ServiceTE Cody Hooper​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Negative | AC, CDM, MNA, MTW, and RUF
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation77Amend RAO 4-9 so that Coordinators and the Stated Clerk are Elected to 4-year TermsSoutheast Alabama​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Affirmative | MNA and RUF
Reference O43 | AC and MTW
Negative | CDM
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation78Amend RAO 4-21 to Authorize Electronic Meetings for GA Committees and CommissionsSoutheast Alabama​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Affirmative | AC, CDM, MTW, and RUF
Reference O79 | MNA
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation79Amend RAO 4-21 to Authorize Electronic Meetings for GA Committees and CommissionsCalvary​​Not in Conflict | CCB
Affirmative | MNA, CDM, MTW, RUF
Reference O78 | AC
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4. Rules of Assembly Operation81Amend RAO 1-1 to Require Serving Wine and Grape Juice for the Lord’s Supper at General AssemblyPotomac​​Not in Conflict | CCB
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5. Study Committee80Erect Ad Interim Committee on Critical Theory and Critical Race TheoryCalvary​​No Rec | AC
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5. Study Committee25-49Erect an Ad Interim Committee on AIPacific Northwest​​Affirmative | AC, CDM, CTS, GEN, MTW, and RUF.
Negative | CC and PCAF
No Rec | MNA and RH
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6. Statement/ Prayer4Docket a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Adult Professions of FaithPacific Northwest​​N/A
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6. Statement/ Prayer50Call for a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Revival and Renewal of the ChurchMississippi Valley​​N/A
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6. Statement/ Prayer66Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving on the Occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s FoundingPhiladelphia​​N/A
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6. Statement/ Prayer76Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving for the United States of America (USA) on the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s FoundingCalvary​​N/A
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6. Statement/ Prayer89Issue a Declaration of Thanksgiving for the United States of America (USA) on the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s FoundingFellowship​​N/A
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7. General83Require Courses on Scripture and Doctrine at Covenant College and Covenant Seminary Be Taught by Ordained EldersNorthwest Georgia​​Negative | CTS and CC
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7. General88Instruct the AC to Format the BCOfor Ease of PrintingSiouxlands​​Negative | AC
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7. General90Append Reformed Christian Politics to AIC Report on Christian NationalismSession of Grace Presbyterian Church​​N/A
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8. Boundary Change10Change the Boundaries of Pittsburgh Presbytery and The Ohio PresbyteryOhio​​AFFIRMATIVE | MNA
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8. Boundary Change44Divide Covenant Presbytery into Two PresbyteriesCovenant​​AFFIRMATIVE | MNA
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8. Boundary Change62Divide Tennessee Valley Presbytery into Two PresbyteriesTennessee Valley​​AFFIRMATIVE | MNA
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8. Boundary Change70Expand Korean Northwest Boundaries to Include Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and WashingtonKorean Northwest Presbytery​​AFFIRMATIVE | MNA
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8. Boundary Change87Change the Boundaries of Pittsburgh Presbytery and the Ohio PresbyteryPittsburgh​​REFERENCE O10 | MNA