A Very Divided General Assembly Votes 322 to 323.

The General Assembly is as divided as I've ever seen it.

Tonight there was a motion to allow 20 minutes for discussion about the resignation of the Vice Moderator McCabe.  There was some discussion about the motion, with one person describing herself as a ruling elder, lawyer and elected official in her community.  She offered the observation that when we are in the heat of the moment and hurting, to continue discussion sometimes adds to that hurt. "What we need," she said, "is for us to allow things to calm down in this General Assembly."

Another commissioner said that the Assembly had witnessed the resignation and "that was the end and we went on our way as if nothing had happened."  She called for the assembly to reflect on what had happened.

The Theological Advisory Delegates voted 70% yes, 26% no, 4% abstained.

The Youth Advisory Delegates voted 62% yes, 41% no, 7% abstained.

The Ecumenical Advisory Delegates voted 67% yes, 33% no, 0 abstained.

Missionary Advisory Delegates voted 50% yes, 50% no and 0 abstained.

"Commissioners, you have been advised," said the moderator.  "Please vote with your keypad now."

Moments later the vote was announced, and it was startling.

322 votes yes, 323 votes no, 17 votes abstained.

The don't get any closer than that!

So - the General Assembly voted not to spend 20 minutes discussing the resignation of the Vice Moderator.

The next vote was to vote on the new Vice Moderator, Tim.  Commissioners voted 80% in favor of the approving Tim Trinidad as the new Vice Moderator.

The General Assembly is divided, but the devotion and commitment of these Commissioners shines through.  You see their spirit as you walk down hallways and see small gatherings of three, five, or a dozen people holding hands in prayer.  These are people who know they are divided.  They know they have a lot of work to do, but they have one thing in common - a love of Christ.

If they keep their eyes on Christ, all other divisions can be healed.