The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 26 : Amending the Constitution of the Church

Paragraph 5 : Of Ecclesiastical Union

26-5. Full organic union and consolidation of the Presbyterian Church in America with any other ecclesiastical body can be effected only in the following manner:
1. The approval of the proposed union by three-fourths (3/4) of those present and voting in the General Assembly and its recommendation to the Presbyteries.
2. The advice and consent of three-fourths (3/4) of the Presbyteries.
3. The approval and consummation by a subsequent General Assembly by three-fourths (3/4) vote of those present and voting.
This paragraph (BCO 26-5) can be amended only by the same method prescribed for the amendment of the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the church.

DIGEST: The current PCA text dates to ______.

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, 27-4, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly,
Full organic union and consolidation of the National Presbyterian Church with any other ecclesiastical body can be effected only in the following manner:
(1) The approval of the proposed union by three-fourths of the General Assembly and its recommendation to the Presbyteries.
(2) The advice and consent of three-fourths of the Presbyteries.
(3) The approval and consummation by a subsequent General Assembly by three-fourths vote.
This paragraph (27-4) can be amended only by the same method which is prescribed for the amendment of the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Church.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, 27-4, Proposed text,
Full organic union and consolidation of the _________________________________ with any other ecclesiastical body can be effected only in the following manner:
(1) The approval of the proposed union by three-fourths of the General Assembly and its recommendation to the Presbyteries.
(2) The advice and consent of three-fourths of the Presbyteries.
(3) The approval and consummation by a subsequent General Assembly by three-fourths vote.
This paragraph (27-4) can be amended only by the same method which is prescribed for the amendment of the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Church.

PCUS 1933, XXIX, §162
and
PCUS 1925, XXVIII, § 162
Full organic union and consolidation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States with any other ecclesiastical body can be effected only in the following manner:
(1) The approval of the proposed union by the General Assembly and its recommendation to the Presbyteries.
(2) The advice and consent of three-fourths of the Presbyteries.
(3) The approval and consummation by a subsequent General Assembly.
This paragraph (162) can be amended only by the same method which is prescribed for the amendment of the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Church.

No comparable text in the following editions:
1. PCUS 1879, VII
2. PCUS 1869 draft, VII
3. PCUS 1867 draft, VII

COMMENTARY:
F.P. Ramsay, Exposition of the Book of Church Order
(1898)
[no comparable text for discussion]