ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PADUCAH, KENTUCKY FIRST DAY MONDAY JUNE 17, 2002

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1 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 323 The Proceedings of the ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH session held in PADUCAH, KENTUCKY June 17 20, 2002 At Paducah, Kentucky, and within the facilities of the Julian M. Carroll Convention Center, there the seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Two, at the appointed hour of two o clock in the afternoon, Minister and Elder Commissioners from the various presbyteries, youth advisory delegates and visitors assembled. FIRST DAY MONDAY JUNE 17, 2002 In the Julian M. Carroll Convention Center in Paducah, Kentucky, the one hundred seventy-second General Assembly, the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, and visitors shared in worship. The worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross, North Central Presbytery, presided in worship, assisted by Mr. Fred Murphy, assembly music director, and Mr. Gary Goin, pianist. Ms. Sidney Milton, President of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, led the responsive call to worship and offered the invocation. The special music, A Place Called Grace, was presented by Ms. Marni Ausenbaugh. Youth Advisory Delegate Christine Driskell, Presbytery del Cristo, read Ephesians 4:1-16. The retiring Moderator, the Reverend Randy Jacob, delivered a sermon entitled Nurturing and Equipping Leaders and led a prayer for leadership. The worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross, led in the benediction. THE ASSEMBLY IS CONSTITUTED The Moderator, the Reverend Randy Jacob, called the assembly to order. A quorum was declared present with forty-four (44) ministers and forty-three (43) elders, making a total of eighty-seven (87) commissioners present at 2:00 p.m. There were also twenty-one (21) youth advisory delegates present. The Reverend Melvin D. Stott, Jr., Grace Presbytery, led in the constituting prayer. The Reverend Renee Curtiss Meyer, Missouri Presbytery, chairperson of the Credentials Committee, presented the report of the Credentials Committee certifying the list of commissioners. The report was concurred in, marked Appendix A, and filed. Moderator Randy Jacob expressed his gratitude to the General Assembly for the honor of serving as Moderator for the previous year. Moderator Jacob recognized Dr. David Colvard, Hope Presbytery, for his service as Vice Moderator and the Reverend James McGuire, West Tennessee Presbytery, for his service as parliamentarian.

2 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 324 A MODERATOR IS ELECTED Moderator Randy Jacob, declared the floor open for nominations for the office of Moderator of the one hundred seventy-second General Assembly. The following nomination, previously endorsed by his presbytery was presented. The Reverend Gary Carlton, Covenant Presbytery, nominated the Reverend Bert Owen, Covenant Presbytery. Reverend Carlton gave the nominating speech. The Reverend Bert Owen, Covenant Presbytery, was elected Moderator by a unanimous vote and was escorted to the chair by the Reverend Gary Carlton, Covenant Presbytery. The retiring Moderator, Randy Jacob, presented the gavel and Moderator s cross to the newly elected Moderator. Reverend Jacob led the assembly in prayer. Moderator Bert Owen addressed the assembly and introduced his wife Pat and their family and friends present at the assembly. PRESENTATION The Stated Clerk, Robert D. Rush, presented the retiring Moderator, Randy Jacob, a gavel representing the one used in the one hundred seventy-first General Assembly. A VICE-MODERATOR IS ELECTED Moderator Bert Owen, declared the floor open for the position of Vice-Moderator. The Reverend Donald Nunn, Red River Presbytery, nominated the Reverend Roosevelt Baugh, Red River Presbytery. The nominations were closed and Reverend Roosevelt Baugh was elected by acclamation. Vice-Moderator Roosevelt Baugh addressed the assembly briefly, and introduced his wife Ruth. COMMUNICATIONS A communication expressing fraternal greetings from the Reverend Robert J. Cara, chairperson, Inter- Church Relations Committee of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, was read. The resignations of the Mrs. Elizabeth Longmire, General Assembly Council; the Reverend Randy Moody, Mr. Robert Mizell, and Ms. Robin Howard, Board of Trustees, Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home; the Reverend Neil Spence, Board of the Cumberland Presbyterian; the Reverend Robert Matlock, Board of Trustees, Memphis Theological Seminary; and the Reverend Paul Tucker, Commission on the Ministry, were accepted. The Stated Clerk, Robert D. Rush, announced the following changes on the nominating committee report: General Assembly Council, remove the name of the Reverend Mark Brown, West Tennessee Presbytery and insert Ms. Jan Marshall, Nashville Presbytery, for a three year term; Trustees of Memphis Theological Seminary, insert Mr. Joe Dycus as a non-cumberland Presbyterian, for a three year term. REFERRALS TO COMMITTEES Referrals to the Committee on Children s Home, Memphis Theological Seminary, and the Historical Foundation Page Report 139 The Report of the Board of Trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home Except section I. G.-H. which is referred to Judiciary 147 The Report of the Board of Trustees of the Memphis Theological Seminary 155 The Report of the Board of Trustees of the Historical Foundation Except section I.G. which is referred to Judiciary

3 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 325 Referrals to the Committee on Christian Education and Stewardship 51 The Report of the Board of Christian Education Except Section II. F. which is referred to the Program Planning Committee 70 The Report of the United Board for Christian Discipleship 113 The Report of the Board of Stewardship, Foundation and Benefits Except section I.G. which is referred to Judiciary Referrals to the Committee on Judiciary 33 The Report of the General Assembly Council, Section II. B. 75 The Report of the Board of Missions, Recommendation 1, Section II. B. 113 The Report of the Board of Stewardship, Foundation and Benefits, Section I. G. 140 The Report of the Board of Trustees of the Children s Home, Section I.G.- H. 155 The Report of the Board of Trustees of the Historical Foundation, Section I. G. 169 The Report of the Permanent Committee on Judiciary 195 The Memorial from Arkansas Presbytery Referrals to the Committee on Missions, Ministry and Military Chaplains 75 The Report of the Board of Missions Except Recommendation 1, Sect. II. B. which is referred to Judiciary 163 The Report of the Commission on Military Chaplains and Personnel 165 The Report of the Commission on Ministry Except Section III. C. which is referred jointly to Program Planning Referrals to the Committee on Program Planning 25 The Report of the Moderator 33 The Report of the General Assembly Council with the exception of Section II. B. 27 The Report of the Stated Clerk 51 Section II. F. of the Report of the Board of Christian Education 151 The Report of the Board of the Cumberland Presbyterian 165 Section III. C. of the Report of the Commission on the Ministry jointly with the committee on Missions, Ministry and Military Chaplains 179 The Report of the Place of Meeting Committee 197 The Memorial from Japan Presbytery 203 The Line Item Budgets of all agencies Referrals to the Committee on Theology and Social Concerns 183 The Report of the Unified Committee on Theology and Social Concerns NOTE: The Report of the Trustees of Bethel College is for information only and is not referred to a committee. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Pastor Host, the Reverend Wendell Ordway, greeted the General Assembly on behalf of Covenant Presbytery and recognized the pastors of Covenant Presbytery present. Reverend Ordway introduced the former governor of Kentucky, the Honorable Julian Carroll, who welcomed the assembly to Paducah and addressed the assembly. RECESS DECLARED Moderator Bert Owen declared a recess until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Reverend Wendell Ordway led the assembly in prayer.

4 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 326 COMMITTEES The commissioners and youth advisory delegates assigned to committees met to organize and begin their committee work. THE EVENING PROGRAM The General Assembly, the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, and visitors participated in a reception at the Woodlawn Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to honor the past Moderator, the Reverend Randy Jacob; the newly elected Moderator, the Reverend Bert Owen; the President of the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, Ms. Sidney Milton; and the President-elect of the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, Ms. Tara Sue Lawson. SECOND DAY TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2002 The General Assembly and visitors began their day in worship. The Assembly worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross presided. Mr. Fred Murphy, assembly music director, led the singing accompanied by Mr. Gary Goin. Elder Nita Thompson, West Tennessee Presbytery, delivered the message entitled Leadership Is., based on Acts 2: 1-8, 14, The Reverend Dan Gross prayed the benediction. CALL TO ORDER The Moderator, Bert Owen, called the assembly to order. A quorum was declared present with fortysix (46) ministers and forty-one (41) elders enrolled as of 9:00 a.m. There were eleven (11) youth advisory delegates also present. REFERRALS TO COMMITTEES The Stated Clerk, Robert Rush, made necessary announcements and corrections to the referrals. The Reverend Richard Ballingar, Presbytery of Liberia, was seated in place of the Reverend Sando Townsend. Youth Advisory Delegate John Turpen, Cumberland Presbytery was seated. BOARD AND AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES The Stated Clerk introduced the board and agency representatives as follows: Board of Christian Education Commission on Chaplains Commission on Ministry The Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home General Assembly Council Historical Foundation Judiciary Memphis Theological Seminary Board of Missions Board of Stewardship, Foundation and Benefits Theology and Social Concerns James McGuire Jearl Hunley Melvin Orr Nadara Jones Linda Gibson Wayne Wood James C. Gilbert James Jordan Joe Butler Norman Johnson Eddie Jenkins Chris Joiner PRESENTATIONS The Reverend Richard Magrill, executive secretary, Board of Stewardship, Foundation and Benefits, presented a preliminary video presentation on Our United Outreach. Each church in the denomination is to receive a finished copy when completed.

5 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 327 A video presentation on the 2006 concurrent meetings of the General Assemblies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, and the Presbyterian Church, USA, from the Committee on Cooperative Work with the Presbyterian Church, USA was presented. The Reverend Dr. Robert Prosser, president of Bethel College, addressed the assembly, updating the current relationship to the General Assembly and highlighting the current life and future visions of Bethel College. The Reverend Robert Watkins, director of Global Missions, introduced the Reverend Hiroyoshi Igaki, Japan Presbytery, who addressed the assembly. Reverend Igaki expressed Japan Presbytery s gratitude for all the missionaries who have served in Japan and shared the need for a long term missionary to teach the English language. Dr. Norman Johnson, representative for the Board of Missions, presented a plaque to Ms. Cornelia Swain in recognition of her retirement at the end of 2002 after twenty-five years of service to the Board of Missions. The assembly gave Ms. Swain a standing recognition of appreciation after which Ms Swain addressed the assembly briefly. The Board of Missions presented a video updating the decade goal of 75 new churches, noting that to date, 70 are in some form of development. The Quarter Card was introduced as a method of raising money for New Church Development. THE STATED CLERK IS ELECTED Moderator Bert Owen, declared the floor open for the position of Stated Clerk. Report Number I of the Nominating Committee submitted the name of the Reverend Robert D. Rush, West Tennessee Presbytery, to succeed himself for a three year term. The nominations were closed and Reverend Rush was elected by acclamation. RECESS DECLARED Moderator Bert Owen, declared a recess for committee work until 8:30 a.m., Thursday. The Reverend Gale Keown, Presbytery of East Tennessee, led the assembly in prayer. THE EVENING PROGRAM The General Assembly, the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, and visitors gathered in worship led by the worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross, assisted by Mr. Fred Murphy, assembly music director, and musicians Mr. Gary Goin, pianist; Mr. Michael Jones, pianist; Mr. Jimmy Crouch, guitar; Mr. Denny Alvey, bass guitar; Mr. Arnie Puckett, guitar; and Mr. David Williams, drums. The Reverend Renee Curtiss Meyer, Missouri Presbytery, served as liturgist; the Reverend Edilberto Daza, Andes Presbytery, read the Old Testament Reading, Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-9; Elder Virgil Ott, Choctaw Presbytery, read the Gospel Reading, Matthew 16: 21-23; and Elder Kazuhiro Ohashi, Japan Presbytery, read the Epistle Reading, 1 Peter 1: 22-2: 12. Special music entitled, We Serve a Mighty God and We ve Come to Worship, was presented by the combined choir from Covenant Presbytery. The Reverend Bob Appleby, Pastor of Grace Fellowship Community Church, Presbytery del Cristo, delivered the message, Peculiarity vs. Productivity.. THIRD DAY WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2002 Committees met and began the day with devotions. There were forty-six (46) ministers, forty-three (43) elders and twenty (20) youth advisory delegates present. The entire day was devoted to committee work. THE EVENING PROGRAM The General Assembly, the Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry, and visitors gathered in worship led by the worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross, assisted by Mr. Fred Murphy, assembly music director and musicians Mr. Gary Goin, pianist; Mr. Michael Jones, pianist; Mr. Jimmy Crouch, guitar; Mr. Denny Alvey, bass guitar; Mr. Arnie Puckett, guitar; and Mr. David Williams, drums. Youth Advisory Delegate Rusty Johnson, North Central Presbytery; Elder Sylvia Allen, Grace Presbytery; and the Reverend Richard Ballingar, Presbytery of Liberia; served as liturgists. The combined choir from

6 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 328 Covenant Presbytery presented the anthem, Nothing Less Than Holiness, and special music, Surely the Presence/I Feel Jesus/Here I Am Lord. The Reverend Dan Gross, North Central Presbytery, and the Reverend Bruce Wong, Presbytery del Cristo, presided for the service of Holy Communion. The following elder commissioners assisted in serving the Holy Communion: Nicholas Chambers, Arkansas Presbytery; Juber Galeano, Cauca Valley Presbytery; Virgil Ott, Choctaw Presbytery; Julianne Gillespie, Columbia Presbytery; Ercel Rushing, Covenant Presbytery; Jimmy Moore, Cullman Presbytery; Maxine Hinton, Cumberland Presbytery; Norma Frye, Presbytery del Cristo; Wayne Taylor, Presbytery of East Tennessee; Sylvia Allen, Grace Presbytery; Gerald Whitehead, Hope Presbytery; Kazuhiro Ohashi, Japan Presbytery; Standford K Avorkliya, Presbytery of Liberia; Elaine Humble and Lailia Nell Jordan, Murfreesboro Presbytery; Linda Crabtree and Tony Jones, Nashville, Presbytery; Ronald Huffman, North Central Presbytery; Byron Stockwell, Red River Presbytery; Norman Johnson, Robert Donnell Presbytery; Tim Lawson, Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery; Betty Waits, Trinity Presbytery; and Marlyn Heikes and Nita Thompson, West Tennessee Presbytery. The Reverend Bruce Wong delivered the evening message entitled, The Heart of the Leader, based on 1 Samuel 16: 1-7. The Reverend Dan Gross prayed the benediction. FOURTH DAY THURSDAY JUNE 20, 2002 The General Assembly and visitors began their day in worship. Liturgist, the Reverend Jonathan Watson, Murfreesboro Presbytery, presided in worship. Mr. Fred Murphy, assembly music director, led the singing accompanied by Mr. Gary Goin. Youth Advisory Delegate Kate Humphrey, Nashville Presbytery, delivered the message, Strengthen My Hands, based on Nehemiah 6: 1-9. The Reverend Jonathan Watson prayed the benediction. CALL TO ORDER Moderator Bert Owen called the assembly to order and declared a quorum present with forty-eight (48) ministers, forty (40) elders and fifteen (15) youth advisory delegates enrolled as of 9:00 a.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Moderator Bert Owen made necessary announcements and appointed Mr. James Jordan, Permanent Committee on Judiciary, as parliamentarian. Moderator Bert Owen read a message of greeting and encouragement to the assembly from the Reverend Dr. Morris Pepper. Excuses were granted for the Reverend James Lively, Covenant Presbytery; the Reverend C. William Jones, West Tennessee Presbytery; and Elder Stanley Gray, Grace Presbytery. Elder Melba Mims, Grace Presbytery was seated. The Stated Clerk, Robert D. Rush, made necessary announcements and introduced the executives of the General Assembly Boards and Agencies. PRESENTATIONS The Reverend Jearl Hunley, Commission on Chaplains, introduced Chaplain Tom Chadwick, director of Presbyterian Council on Chaplains and Military Personnel, who addressed the assembly briefly and read the roll of Cumberland Presbyterian ministers serving on active duty as chaplains in the United States military services. Ms. Judy Keith, executive director of the Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home, presented a video infomercial about the Children s Home. Ms. Laurie Sharpe, Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, introduced Ms. Mary Bradley and Ms. Sara Anderson who addressed the assembly with their gratitude for being included in the Youth Reaching Out program. A video presentation was made of their work trip with the Houston, Texas inter-city ministries in June 5-10, 2002.

7 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 329 Ms. Claudette Pickle, executive director of the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, introduced the miniversity program for elder training and made a video presentation promoting the 21 events scheduled in January The Reverend Dr. David Hilliard, interim president of Memphis Theological Seminary, was introduced and made a video presentation about Memphis Theological Seminary. Report Number II of the Nominating Committee was received. Moderator Bert Owen opened the floor for additional nominations to the Board and Agency positions. Nominations were closed and the slate of nominees presented was elected. The Report of the Judiciary Committee was read. Recommendation 12 was amended to read, that the Memorial from Arkansas Presbytery concerning lay pastors be denied and that the 172 nd General Assembly direct the Commission on Ministry to continue the study of the office of lay pastor and report to the 173 rd General Assembly, and to specifically address the concern of non-cumberland Presbyterian ministers serving in Cumberland Presbyterian churches and the oversight thereof. The report was concurred in, its recommendations adopted, as amended, by a unanimous vote, marked Appendix B and filed. RECESS DECLARED Moderator Bert Owen declared a 15 minute recess. The assembly reconvened at the appropriate time. The Report of the Committee on Christian Education and Stewardship was read, concurred in, its recommendations adopted, including the following memorial honoring the Reverend Dr. Harold Davis, marked Appendix "C and filed. RESOLUTION FOR H. HAROLD DAVIS October 4, January 24, 2002 Whereas, the Rev. Dr. H. Harold Davis served the Cumberland Presbyterian Church through its Board of Christian Education for 38 years, , (seven years as director of youth work and 31 years as executive director); and Whereas, Harold Davis was an ordained minister of the church for more than 50 years, serving as pastor at Newbern, Tennessee, , and as pastor of Hopewell Church, Benton County, Mississippi, over 41 years; and Whereas, his leadership was freely given in Cookeville, Obion, Memphis, Madison, and West Tennessee presbyteries; and Whereas, he served as vice-moderator of the General Assembly in 1994; and Whereas, his leadership in ecumenical roles was widely appreciated in the Committee on Youth Work of the National Council of Churches, in the development of several cooperative curricula (Covenant Life, Shared Approaches [CESA], Presbyterian and Reformed Educational Ministry, Joint Educational Development [JED], Bible Discovery, and others), and in cooperative programs between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America; and Whereas, his personal stewardship of time, skills, and financial resources serve as an exemplary model for believers everywhere; and Whereas, his courage, diligence, and commitment to better race relations was quietly and determinedly carried out in the church and society; and

8 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 330 Whereas, his lifelong commitment to home and family were manifested in his loyalty to aging parents and in-laws, to other members of both families, and in his more than 50 years of faithful and loving marriage; and Whereas, he was released from earthly toil and pain on January 24, 2002, and has entered into the fullness of God s eternal realm; Therefore be it resolved that the Board of Christian Education, meeting January 31-February 1, 2002, give thanks to Almighty God for the faithful life, service, and witness of H. Harold Davis, and be it further resolved that the Board of Christian Education submit this resolution to the 2002 General Assembly for adoption, and that said resolution appear in the minutes of the Board, the General Assembly, and copies thereof be forwarded to Mrs. Davis, and their children, and grandchildren. (insert resolution) The Report of the Committee on Children s Home, Memphis Theological Seminary, and the Historical Foundation was read, concurred in, its recommendations adopted, marked Appendix D and filed. ANNOUNCEMENT The Reverend Richard Magrill, Executive Secretary of the Board of Stewardship, Foundation and Benefits, introduced the book, A History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, which is available through the Historical Foundation. On motion, the General Assembly approved that future sermons and messages given at General Assembly worship be audio recorded, as well as recorded by other technologies available, by the Stated Clerk s office. The Report of the Committee on Missions, Ministry, and Chaplains was read and discussed. LUNCH RECESS DECLARED Moderator Bert Owen declared a recess for lunch until 2:00 p.m. The Reverend Renee Curtiss Meyer, Missouri Presbytery, led the Assembly in prayer. The Assembly reconvened at the appropriate time. The Report of the Committee on Missions, Ministry, and Chaplains was amended by inserting Recommendation 6, that each presbytery be encouraged to send the chairperson(s) of the Presbyterial Committee on Ministry and Committee on Clergy Care or the committee(s) charged with the care and nurture of candidates and ordained clergy to an annual event sponsored by the Commission on Ministry for updating and sharing information. The remaining recommendation was renumbered, the report was concurred in, its recommendations, as amended, adopted, marked Appendix E and filed. The Reverend Melvin Orr, Commission on Ministry, gave an update on the Reverend James Searcy and asked the assembly for continued prayer for him and his family. The Report of the Committee on Program Planning was read, amended to delete Recommendation 12, and the remaining recommendations renumbered. General Regulation E-4 was set aside, by the necessary 2/3 vote, to receive an amendment to the Report of the Moderator. The amendment was adopted and additional information on the actions of the Moderator of the 171 st General Assembly was inserted. That the immediate past Moderator (the Reverend Randy Jacob), in addition to activities reported, did participate in the following:

9 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 331 The meeting of Japan Presbytery Report: The Moderator was advised not to attend the meeting of the Japan Presbytery in November And, though the General Assembly could not pay for the travel or other expenses connected to attending the Japan Presbytery meeting, the Moderator of the 171 st General Assembly felt a leading and a sense of obligation to attend that meeting. The Moderator was able to pay for a three day visit, and, after his arrival in Japan and at the insistence of members of Japan Presbytery, expenses for four (4) additional days were provided by Japan Presbytery plus the hospitality of the homes of Japanese Cumberland Presbyterian Christians (especially from the home of former Moderator, the Reverend Masaharu Asayama) and also the hospitality of the local churches that the Moderator was able to visit and special church groups (such as the Women s organization of Japan Presbytery) that welcomed him. Mission Synod Meeting with St. John Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth, Texas The Covenant Presbyterial Fellowship Churches Meeting with Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Salem, Kentucky Highland Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee Pleasant Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Millington, Tennessee Church of the People Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Odessa, Texas The Report of the Committee on Program Planning was divided to consider Section VIII, Memorials, separately. Sections I-VII, including Recommendations 1-12, were adopted by a unanimous vote. Section VIII, including Recommendation 13, was adopted. The report was concurred in, its recommendations adopted, marked Appendix F and filed. On motion, the General Assembly approved that all special days such as Children s Home Sunday, Seminary Sunday, etc., be permanently established by the 173 rd General Assembly, in consultation with the affected Board and Agencies. VICE-MODERATOR ASSUMES THE CHAIR Vice-Moderator Roosevelt Baugh assumed the chair. On motion, the General Assembly approved that in regard to audits and budgets, the General Assembly Council develop a form and instruct all Boards and Agencies to use the form so that all monetary increases, decreases, deficits, and surpluses are presented in a uniform manner and presented in relation to the budgets submitted by the General Assembly Agencies. On motion, the General Assembly approved that whatever technology available be used to record the music at General Assembly and that this be done by the Office of the Stated Clerk. The Report of the Committee on Theology and Social Concerns was read. The Report was divided to consider Sections III and IV separately. Sections I, II, and V, including Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 10, were considered, concurred in, and the recommendations adopted. Sections III and IV were considered, debate was closed by the necessary 2/3 vote, and Recommendations 4-9 were adopted by a vote of 49 to 30. The Report was marked Appendix G and filed. The Reverend Richard Ballingar, Presbytery of Liberia, led the assembly in prayer for the youth of Liberia, their churches and people.

10 2002 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 332 Moderator Bert Owen assumed the chair. MODERATOR ASSUMES THE CHAIR Report Number III of the Nominating Committee was received. Moderator Bert Owen opened the floor for additional nominations. Nominations were closed and the slate of nominees was elected. The Report was marked Appendix H and filed. The Reverend Ron McMillan, West Tennessee Presbytery, presented a resolution of appreciation to Covenant Presbytery. BE IT RESOLVED by the 172 nd General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that Covenant Presbytery be praised and thanked for the people, time and effort combined to be the perfect, efficient and gracious host to this Assembly, and for giving so generously of their time and talents to make us feel welcome. The printed minutes of the first three days were corrected and the minutes for Thursday were read. The minutes were adopted as a whole. RECESS DECLARED Moderator Bert Owen declared a recess until 7:00 p.m. for the closing worship. Elder Tony Jones, Nashville Presbytery led the assembly in prayer. CLOSING WORSHIP The General Assembly and visitors gathered for the closing worship. The Assembly worship director, the Reverend Dan Gross, presided in worship assisted by assembly music director, Mr. Fred Murphy and pianist, Mr. Gary Goin. Mr. Murphy sang How Long Has It Been. The Reverend Sam Wayman, Trinity Presbytery, read the scripture from Ephesians 4: 1, 7, and delivered the message Luckenbach, Texas. The Reverend Dan Gross pronounced the benediction. ADJOURNMENT At 8:00 p.m. the General Assembly adjourned to meet in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 23-27, The Moderator, the Reverend Bert Owen, led in the closing prayer.