The Assistant to the Clerks, Rev Philip Burns has helpfully compiled a summary of the events and decisions of the week that was our General Assembly as well as prayer and praise points, all of which may be downloaded here.
The 173rd General Assembly began with worship held in Scots’ Church, Melbourne on the evening of Monday October 6 at a service in which Rev Rod Waterhouse (pictured above with his wife, Sandra), recently retired from Portland PC, was installed as Moderator. Rod preached a heartening and helpful sermon based on the Apostle Paul’s visit to Thessalonica in Acts 17:1-10 and his subsequent letter to them in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 entitled, ‘What am I doing here?’, encouraging us all to be faithful witnesses for the Lord Jesus. A time of fellowship and supper followed the joyful occasion.
Rev Dr Cameron Clausing (Christ College, Sydney) was the Assembly Expositor. Cameron’s preaching from the book of Mark was incisive, engaging and a great blessing to all, always bringing into sharp focus the wonder of God’s grace to us in Christ.
Important visitors were welcomed, faithful people thanked, our God was praised, continued prayer was urged. Key decisions were made, rule changes proposed, sessions and congregations were encouraged to support and participate in the various ministries of the PCV.
(L to R, Rev Rod Waterhouse, Rev Dr Jared Hood, Dr John Lee)
The Assembly concluded its business with prayer and a hymn and the benediction on Thursday afternoon (not as long as last year’s that went until the Friday afternoon). All in all, the Assembly was marked by good debate with a harmonious tone, finally resolving to meet as a Commission on May 5, 2026 and then again in General Assembly on October 5, 2026.
“To God be the glory, great things He has done!”