2026 PCA General Assembly Report
Overall, the 2026 General Assembly was encouraging. The issues that were debated this year were not nearly as contentious as in previous years. While there were certainly important matters before the Assembly—including financial accountability, constitutional amendments, and several significant overtures—the tone was noticeably more measured and collegial. Many of the speeches were thoughtful, biblically grounded, and focused on advancing the peace, purity, and unity of the church rather than deepening existing divisions.
As with every General Assembly, there were decisions that commissioners either agreed or disagreed with. Nevertheless, it was encouraging to see the denomination continue its work with a shared commitment to the authority of Scripture, our Reformed confession, and Presbyterian polity. My hope is that the following summary will help you better understand some of the more significant actions taken by this year's Assembly and provide a glimpse into how the broader work of our denomination continues to serve Christ's church.
Leadership
The first order of business at every General Assembly is the election of a Moderator, who presides over the Assembly's deliberations and ensures that its business is conducted decently and in order. In keeping with the PCA's longstanding custom, the office of Moderator alternates each year between a Ruling Elder and a Teaching Elder. This year, the Assembly elected Ruling Elder Mel Duncan from Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. to serve as Moderator.
The Assembly also unanimously elected Teaching Elder Fred Greco to serve as the PCA's next Stated Clerk, one of the denomination's most significant leadership positions. The Stated Clerk serves as the chief administrative officer of the General Assembly, advising the Moderator and commissioners on the Rules of Assembly Operation and parliamentary procedure, maintaining the Assembly's official records, and overseeing many of the denomination's constitutional and administrative responsibilities. He also serves as an important point of continuity from one Assembly to the next, helping to ensure that the work of the General Assembly is conducted faithfully, efficiently, and in accordance with the PCA's constitution. The unanimous election of Dr. Greco reflected the Assembly's broad confidence in his character, experience, and ability to serve the denomination in this important role.
Overtures, Overtures, and More Overtures
This year, presbyteries submitted a record of more than 90 overtures to the General Assembly. If approved by the Assembly and subsequently ratified by two-thirds of the PCA's presbyteries, these overtures would amend the Book of Church Order. However, due to the unusually high volume of business and the limited time available, approximately 20 overtures were referred back to their originating presbyteries or sessions without final action. While many overtures dealt with technical or procedural matters, several addressed significant theological and ecclesiastical questions facing the denomination. Probably the most significant overture considered this year was Overture 37.
Clickergate
One of the more frustrating (and at times humorous) aspects of this year’s General Assembly was the notoriously slow electronic clicker system used for voting. The term “clickergate” was used by many commissioners, because the devices took an extremely long time to register, tally, and display results. This meant that a lot of routine votes turned into lengthy delays. The Moderator regularly employed voice votes and raising blue cards, but several close or important ballots still required the clickers to tally precise vote totals, testing the patience of the Assembly. In the end, the Stated Clerk acknowledged the issue and committed to finding a more reliable system for future years.
Brief Outline of the Business
To make it easier to navigate the business of the General Assembly, I've compiled an outline of the proceedings using the PCA's YouTube livestreams. If you'd like to watch a particular ministry report, committee presentation, floor debate, or vote, simply click the appropriate video link and jump to the listed timestamp. (Please note that all timestamps are approximate.)
I've also included a number of brief summaries and personal observations throughout the outline. My goal is not to provide an exhaustive analysis of every report or debate, but rather to highlight some of the more significant actions taken by the Assembly and to offer a bit of context where I believe it may be helpful. I hope this resource allows you to engage with the work of our denomination more easily.
Tuesday Evening (Opening Session)
Video: PCA 2026 General Assembly Tuesday Evening
Stated Clerk’s Report + BCO Amendments: ~4:12:00 – 4:45:00 (after worship & moderator election)
Theological Examining Committee (partial): ~4:46:00 – 4:48:00
Administrative Committee (partial): ~4:49:00 – 5:04:00
Review of Presbytery Records (partial report): ~5:05:00 – 5:08:00
Ad-Interim Committee for the Directory of Public Worship (partial) ~5:09:00 – 5:22:00
The Assembly received a partial report from the newly appointed Ad Interim Committee tasked with revising the PCA's Directory for the Worship of God (BCO Chapters 47–63). The committee’s goal is not to reinvent Presbyterian worship, but to revise and complete the existing Directory so that it more clearly reflects Scripture, the Westminster Standards, and historic Presbyterian practice. The committee was specifically instructed to consult the Directories of Worship from other NAPARC denominations, provide scriptural and confessional support for its proposals, and present revisions to the Assembly in stages rather than all at once.
Unlike most other Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, much of the PCA's current Directory for Worship does not carry constitutional authority. Only small portions dealing with the sacraments, church membership, and marriage are presently constitutional. The committee's long-term goal is to provide the PCA with a more complete and coherent Directory that could eventually receive constitutional status through the normal amendment process.
The committee's work is intended to promote greater unity, clarity, and consistency in worship across the denomination while preserving appropriate pastoral wisdom and flexibility in matters where Scripture allows liberty. With that said, its work is still in its early stages and there are no proposed revisions for adoption at this Assembly. The committee’s report was primarily an update on their charge, methodology, and anticipated timeline.
Here’s why this committee matters: This may be one of the most significant long-term projects in the PCA. If adopted, a revised constitutional Directory for Worship would provide greater guidance on the theology and practice of public worship throughout the denomination, bringing the PCA more in line with the historic Presbyterian tradition and its sister NAPARC denominations.
Wednesday Morning/Afternoon
Morning Session Video: PCA 2026 General Assembly Wednesday AM
Review of Presbytery Records (RPR): ~20:00 – 2:58:00 (major early focus)
Interchurch Relations: ~3:23:00 – 3:37:00
Ridge Haven, Mission to the World (MTW), Geneva Benefits: ~3:38:00+
Afternoon Session Video: PCA 2026 General Assembly Wednesday PM
Ad Interim Committee on Christian Nationalism: ~25:00 – 1:02:00
Teaching Elder David Strain presented the report of the Ad Interim Committee on Christian Nationalism. The committee sought to evaluate various expressions of Christian Nationalism in light of Scripture and the Westminster Standards rather than contemporary political labels.
The report affirmed Christ's lordship over every sphere of life while cautioning against confusing the distinct roles of the church and the civil magistrate. It also encouraged theological precision, recognizing that the term Christian Nationalism is often used to describe a wide range of differing viewpoints.
Overall, the report called for the PCA to remain grounded in its historic confessional theology as it continues to think carefully about the relationship between Christ's kingdom, the church, and civil government.
Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM), PCA Foundation: ~1:05:00 – 1:29:00
Mission to North America (MNA): ~ 1:32:00 – 2:13:00
Probably the most controversial PCA ministry over the last year was Mission to North America (MNA). In 2025, concerns emerged regarding MNA's financial oversight after it was discovered that millions of dollars designated for special ministry needs had been improperly managed and accounted for over a number of years. You can read MNA’s report here.
While there has been no public allegation of theft, the situation exposed significant weaknesses in financial controls, reporting, and organizational oversight, leading to leadership changes, independent investigations, and ongoing reforms. You can read about the reforms that are taking place at MNA here. If you're interested in getting a holistic analysis of this particular controversy, listen to our own Ruling Elder, Charlie Nave, discuss the details with Teaching Elder Ryan Biese on the Westminster Standard podcast. You can watch MNA’s GA report here.
One encouraging takeaway from this year's Assembly is that MNA's leadership did not appear to minimize the seriousness of the situation. Instead, they acknowledged past failures, outlined the corrective measures already implemented, and expressed a commitment to greater transparency and accountability moving forward.
Commissioners were given updates on new financial controls, governance improvements, and ongoing oversight designed to help ensure similar problems do not occur again. While rebuilding trust will undoubtedly take time, it appears that MNA is making a sincere and good-faith effort to address the deficiencies that were uncovered and to strengthen the ministry for years to come. As with any denominational agency, continued prayer, accountability, and wise stewardship will be essential as these reforms continue to take shape.
Covenant College: ~ 2:14:00 – 2:44:00
Standing Judicial Commission (SJC): ~2:46:00 – 2:52:00
Covenant Theological Seminary (CTS) ~2:53:00+
Thursday Morning/Afternoon
Thursday AM Video: PCA 2026 General Assembly Thursday AM
Administrative Committee: ~25:00 – 1:49:00
Nominating Committee: ~1:50:00 – 3:20:00
Reformed University Fellowship: ~3:29:00 – 3:43:00
Brief Overtures Committee Report: ~3:49:00+
Thursday PM / Later Business Video: PCA 2026 General Assembly Thursday PM
Overtures Committee Report: ~26:40 – 2:03:00
Overture 37 [Amend BCO 9-3 To Allow Women to Serve As Ordained Deacons]: ~2:03:18 – 2:11:00
The Assembly voted overwhelmingly by voice vote against Overture 37. The decisive vote reflected a broad consensus among the commissioners that the proposed changes were neither necessary nor beneficial for the peace, purity, and unity of the denomination. With little apparent support on the floor, the overture was soundly defeated without the need for a counted vote.
Overture 61 [To Declare the “Danvers Statement” as a Biblically Faithful Definition] ~2:35:00 – 2:56:00
The Assembly adopted a recommendation commending the Danvers Statement as a faithful summary of Scripture's teaching on biblical manhood and womanhood. The Assembly did not make the statement part of the PCA's constitutional standards or confessional documents. Rather, it encouraged the church to study and utilize the Danvers Statement as a helpful theological resource that clearly articulates complementarianism.
Committee of Thanks + Closing: 3:47:00+
Final Thoughts
While there were certainly important matters to address—including financial accountability, constitutional amendments, and several significant overtures—the tone of the Assembly was noticeably more peaceful than in recent years.
One of the blessings of being part of a connectional church is that we have the opportunity to labor together for the good of Christ's kingdom. While no Assembly is perfect, it is encouraging to see thousands of elders from across the country gathering with the common goal of serving Christ and His church.
As always, I would encourage you to pray for our denomination, its agencies, its presbyteries, and its leaders. And if you’re interested in watching a recap video, check out Matthew Everhard’s recap video.
