"Presbyteries may dismiss congregations to other ecclesiastical bodies of this denomination, and to denominations whose organization is conformed to the doctrines and order of the Presbyterian Church (USA). No congregation may be dismissed to independent status, or to the status of a nondenominational congregation. It is the responsibility of the dismissing presbytery to determine whether the receiving body meets these standards, and this responsibility cannot be delegated to any other entity within the presbytery (such as an administrative commission). Thus the General Assembly may not determine in advance whether a particular denomination or its constituent bodies qualify under these standards.

"The provisions of G-15.0203 a and b do, however, require that the General Assembly, as the highest governing body of this denomination, advise its presbyteries in this matter. The 218th General Assembly (2008) therefore advises the presbyteries that they must satisfy themselves concerning the conformity with this denomination of a transitional presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) in matters of doctrines and order. Presbyteries may facilitate the exploration of conformity by means of an administrative commission, although such commissions may not be empowered to approve the dismissal of the congregation. In exploring this matter, presbyteries should consider such questions as whether the receiving EPC presbytery is

• doctrinally consistent with the essentials of Reformed theology as understood by the presbytery;

• governed by a polity that is consistent in form and structure with that of the Presbyterian Church (USA);

• of sufficient permanence to offer reasonable assurance that the congregation is not being dismissed to de facto independence.

"Failure on the part of the presbytery thoroughly to explore and adequately to document its satisfaction in these matters may thus violate, however unintentionally, the spirit of the polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."

"Presbyteries may dismiss minister members to transitional presbyteries of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) under the provisions of G-15.0202, provided that they have determined that such transitional presbyteries properly have jurisdiction over the work to which the dismissed minister is called. In making this determination, presbyteries should consider the advice of the General Assembly concerning such transitional presbyteries found in response #1 above. In addition, presbyteries should honor their pastoral obligation to the minister requesting dismissal by informing him or her of the General Assembly's grave concerns over the uncertainty and impermanence of the transitional presbyteries of the EPC, and of the consequences of the dismissal for any future relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA)."