[ Click here to go back to the main page ]


Note: Right-click on these links and then click Save As... to see the proposed by-laws changes (in PDF format):
[ Part One ] and [ Part Two ]

Proposed By-Laws Changes Primer

- Page 23, lines 13-15, “Duties of the EExecutive Presbytery”: the proposed change eliminates the Executive Presbyter’s accountability to the GP since the following sentence is struck, “It (referring to the EP) shall communicate with the members of the GP before final action shall be taken on all matters of great importance.”

- Page 23, lines 36-47, “Duties of the GGGeneral Presbytery”: the proposed change eliminates the General Presbytery from its position of power in the hands of many as the strike through of the following sentence will attest (from lines 40-44), “Should an irreconcilable difference arise between the GP and the EP, the decision of the GP shall prevail…”

- Page 25, lines 16-21, “Appropriatenessss of resolutions”: this change lends more ambiguity to what is inappropriate and leaves the decision to the Chair of General Council rather than clear language in the bylaws. “Absurd” is easily recognized by most. “Appropriate” seems predicated on one’s point of view. Whose point of view is most powerful at General Council?

- Page 42, lines 1-5, “Adding conditionsss to salvation”: this entire paragraph was deleted with no replacement. Does that now mean the A/G endorses additional conditions for salvation? Perhaps confession to a priest or penances?

- Page 46, Lines 44-64, “The Ecumenical Movement”: this language no longer “disapproves” of ecumenism but “encourages…fellowship.” Although there are some doctrinal guidelines provided for fellowship, there is a huge exception added—“except as opportunity may arise to support Biblical values…” This sounds nice but opens wide the door for violations of God’s mandate to “come out from among them (unbelievers) and be ye separate says the Lord.” II Cor 6:17

- Pages 55-60: Notice how entire seccctions are deleted from the bylaws with no replacement. These functions, including the Division of the Treasury, our major national ministries and the three Springfield schools are all moved under the A/G Organizational Manual. This reduces the voting constituency on these key functions from over 3000 to only 17! (See the changes on pages 83 and 84 regarding the approval authority for the Organizational Manual.)

- Pages 73 and 78, CBC’s governance: notice how one word is changed from page 78 (old language) to page 73. Specifically, the word “constitution” (referring to how the Board of Directors for CBC will be elected) is changed to “articles” on page 73 (new language). An article is part of a constitution. If CBC used to have its own constitution, then who’s constitution provides the articles that would now govern the school?

- Page 83, lines 56-69, “GC Operations MMManual”: although referred to elsewhere in the proposed bylaws changes as the Organizational Manual, this is the new source for governance regarding A/G major ministries and the three Springfield schools. Under old bylaws language, this manual had to be approved by the General Presbytery. - Page 84, lines1-6, “Operations Manual”: notice that approval level is changed from the GP to the EP for this document. So, taking into account the changes on pages 55-60 above, the voting constituency is confirmed to have dropped from as many ordained and licensed ministers as can attend General Council (often exceeding 3000 of late) to only 17 EPs. The 250+ GPs are no longer in the picture.




- Bottom Line: Accountability in our Fellowship governance has been reduced from over 3000 to 17!

- Recommendations:
1) Vote against all bylaws changes for this General Council. They form a combination of diluting our moral, scriptural standards as well as granting too much power to too few people
2) Vote for term limits for all A/G leaders at every level to prevent this sort of power grabbing in the future


[ Click here to go back to the main page ]