These are the responsibilities of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
to set priorities for the work of the church in keeping with the church's
mission under Christ as described in G-3.0000;
to develop overall objectives for mission and a comprehensive strategy to
guide the church at every level of its life;
to provide the essential program functions that are appropriate for overall
balance and diversity within the mission of the church;
to establish and administer national and worldwide ministries of witness,
service, growth, and development;
to provide a system of administrative services to fulfill its objectives and
program;
to provide services for the whole church that can be performed more
effectively from a national base;
to establish and maintain an office of the General Assembly;
to establish and superintend the agencies and task forces necessary for its
work, including a General Assembly Council, providing for the regular review of
the functional relationship between the General Assembly's structure and its
mission;
to adopt the comprehensive annual budget of the General Assembly, providing
full information to the whole church of its decision in such matters;
to provide for communication within the church;
to oversee the work of the synods and to facilitate their participation in
the mission of the church;
to review the records of the synods and to take care that they observe the
Constitution of the church;
to organize new synods and to divide, unite, or otherwise combine synods or
portions of synods previously existing;
to approve the organization, division, uniting, or combining of presbyteries
or portions of presbyteries by synods;
to serve in judicial matters in accordance with the Rules of Discipline;
to warn or bear witness against error in doctrine or immorality in practice
in or outside the church;
to decide controversies brought before it and to give advice and instruction
in cases submitted to it, in conformity with the Constitution;
to provide authoritative interpretation of the Book of Order which shall be
binding on the governing bodies of the church when rendered in accord with
G-13.0112 or through a decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission in a
remedial or disciplinary case. The most recent interpretation of a provision of
the Book of Order shall be binding;
to establish and maintain those ecumenical relationships that will enlarge
the life and mission of the church;
to correspond with other churches;
to receive under its jurisdiction, with the consent of two thirds of the
presbyteries, other ecclesiastical bodies whose life is consistent with the
faith and order of this church;
to authorize synods to exercise similar power in receiving ecclesiastical
bodies suited to become constituents of those governing bodies and lying within
their geographic bounds;
to unite with other churches in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Constitution. (G-15.0300)
to review the work of the Office of the General Assembly in consultation
with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.
