Commissioners are elected by presbyteries to serve as voting members of the General Assembly as the church's broadest council. These commissioners are not representatives of their mid councils but rather are elected to participate and vote as their conscience, and God, guide them. Commissioners are comprised of an equal number of ruling elders and teaching elders.

Commissioners each serve on one randomly-assigned committee and in plenary sessions. They have both voice and vote in both settings. In plenary sessions, commissioners are advised by advisory delegates prior to vote.

Following the assembly, commissioners engage with their sending presbyteries to share their experience and insight into the outcomes of the assembly.

In its wisdom, past General Assemblies have established advisory delegates who are intended to give voice to those who may otherwise not be represented among commissioners. These delegates have full voice and vote in committee. Therefore, in committee they are treated in the same way that commissioners are and have both voice and vote.

In plenary sessions, advisory delegates only have voice. It is common, however, that advisory delegates are polled before important votes so that commissioners may be advised. There are four types of advisory delegates.

Each assembly calls leaders to serve the church and future assemblies. These leaders are tasked with guiding the assembly through parliamentary procedure and guaranteeing that the church hears from diverse voices.

Co-Moderators

The Co-Moderators who were elected at the 226th General Assembly are empowered to preserve order and to conduct the business of the 227th General Assembly until the election of a new pair of Moderators. According to the Standing Rules of the General Assembly, this election will take place at the conclusion of other business on Thursday, July 2nd.

In the months prior to the assembly, commissioners announce their intention to stand for Moderator. Information about these candidates will be distributed to commissioners and advisory delegates, culminating in the Moderator's Election during which candidates are able to speak and answer questions.

Stated Clerk

The Book of Order states that each council of the church shall elect a clerk. Each clerk serving a session, presbytery, synod, or assembly is called a Stated Clerk. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly is elected to serve a four-year term during which they are responsible for making the arrangements for the assembly, ensuring good order for the processing of business, and serving as parliamentarian during the meeting of the assembly.

The Rev. Jihyun Oh was elected to serve during the 226th General Assembly (2024).

Corresponding Members

Also offering leadership throughout the assembly are individuals who, by nature of their office, are identified as Corresponding Members of the assembly. These persons include former Co/Moderators, seminary presidents, heads of the church's agencies, synod executives, associate/assistant stated clerks, and others. Members of advisory and advocacy committees also serve as corresponding members, enabling them to advocate for important issues and raise concerns. All corresponding members are entitled to speak to items of business directly related to their work, but they may not vote.

As each assembly committee considers important items of business, they are guided and supported by a number of leaders.

• Moderators and Vice Moderators are selected by the Co-Moderators of the previous General Assembly to guide commissioners and advisory delegates through discernment and votes during committee.
• Committee Assistants serve in a variety of roles, supporting committee leadership in managing business processes, as well as assisting commissioners and advisory delegates throughout committees.
• Parliamentarians assist the committee with parliamentary procedure.
• Recorders manage voting and record actions taken by the committee, ensuring the committee recommendations are accurately taken to plenary.
• Resource Managers coordinate Resource Persons, Corresponding Members, and others who are able to speak to the committee on particular issues. This process includes making moderators aware of available persons as well as ensuring that those able to speak are prepared at the appropriate time.
• Zoom Managers oversee the Zoom meeting functions of the committee meetings.
• Equity Support Managers help to guide the committee leadership team by identifying potential for improved equity and inclusion.

Resource Persons are experts in a particular area and are able to speak to committees and plenary sessions. These individuals may be called upon by committee moderators or the Co-Moderators of the assembly to provide clarity and insight on items of business.

Overture Advocates represent presbyteries who have written or concurred with an overture. These persons address committees to provide context on their overture, as well as additional information that may assist the committee in their consideration.

General Assembly Staff take on many roles throughout the assembly. They assist with moving business through the assembly process, equipping and maintaining technology, producing online plenary sessions, managing travel arrangements, and more. They are present throughout the assembly to support commissioners and advisory delegates in their work.