2011-2013 Book of Order Changes
Gifts and Qualifications of Ministry
(Formerly Amendment 10-A; now G-2.0104b in the new Book of Order)
On this page: Background Information • Online Resources
Information/Questions Contact: Presbytery Stated Clerk Wendy Tajima
Please visit these pages for information about other Constitution Changes:
nFOG: Form of Government Changes • Sexual Misconduct Policy
Background Information
In July 2010 the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)approved a proposed amendment (10-A) to the Book of Order, part of the PC(USA) Constitution, regarding ordination standards. As with all constitutional changes, Amendment 10-A required ratification by a majority of the PC(USA)'s 173 presbyteries for it to become part of the Book of Order. As of July 1, 97 presbyteries approved Amendment 10-A, and with the new Form of Government passing as well, the new ordination standards are now identified under G-2.0104b.
Many groups have prepared resources to help congregational leadersexplain the change to their congregations. The following resources are available for use in your context.
(For your convenience all of the documents (and the links to pcusa.org) will open in separate windows to make downloading easier and to allow you to continue to explore resources on pcusa.org without extensive use of your backbutton to return here.)
Online Resources
1. A Churchwide Letter
Source: National Church Leadership
Description: A letter from the national church leadership reflecting on the passage of this amendment
Download this PDF
2. FAQ—Amendment 10-A
Source:Office of the General Assembly (OGA)
Description: Frequently asked questions and answers (ona fairly general level), from the Office of the General Assembly
Download this PDF
3. Pastoral Letter and FAQs
Source: St. Augustine Presbytery
Description: A pastoral letter and list of Frequently Asked Questions from Paul Hooker of St. Augustine Presbytery. These were also offered in the May 2011 Presbytery of the Pacific packet as helpful resources in clarifying some questions on this amendment. These resources are available in MS Word and PDF.
Download this PDF
Download in MS Word format
4. 10-A FAQs
Source: Monmouth Presbytery
Description: Another set of Frequently Asked Questions, this time from Monmouth Presbytery, that has also been helpful. This resource is available in MS Word and PDF.
Download this PDF
Download in MS Word format
5. Liturgical Resources: 10-A
Source: Office of the General Assembly (OGA)
Description: Liturgical resources offered by the Office of the General Assembly to churches wanting to lift up to God their concerns about the process of identifying, training, and celebrating leaders in the church.
Download this PDF