The Manual 2004 includes editorial changes to the duties and powers of the Executive of General Council as previously described in bylaw 524(c)
"to do any act or thing of a routine or emergency nature which the General Council has power to do, except in any case in which the General Council has decided it should not exercise such powers"
deleting the words "of a routine or emergency nature..." to read
"to do any act or thing that the General Council has power to do, except in any case in which the General Council has decided it should not exercise such powers",
the effect of which gives the Executive of General Council the powers of General Council except
to make editorial changes to The Manual where in the opinion of the General Council Executive the policy or its intention is unclear [bylaw 524(d)],
to authorize a remit [bylaw 524(e)], and
to determine the annual budget...except insofar as the General Council itself may determine [bylaw 524(m)].
The words "of a routine or emergency nature..." are a specific limitation of the powers of the Executive of General Council.

The editorial changes were made per bylaw 524(d) which permits editorial changes to The Manual
"that are required because of policy established from time to time by the General Council or by its Executive on referral from the General Council, and to make changes in The Manual that clarify ambiguity or intent, reorganize text, move or group sections, or change format"
except
"where in the opinion of the General Council Executive the policy or its intention is unclear, the General Council Executive shall refer the matter to the next General Council for clarification".

Previous to the editorial changes to bylaw 524(c) the General Council had specifically done the following relating to the powers of the Executive of General Council:
a. carried Resolution 101 [rop 2003 pp. 192, 836] which included "that the authority of the Executive of the General Council shall be as described in The Manual"; [The Manual 2001 reads "524 (c) to do any act or thing of a routine or emergency nature which the General Council has power to do, except in any case in which the General Council has decided it should not exercise such powers"]
b. defeated Resolution 3 [rop 2003 pp. 97, 828], [rop 2003 p. 746, briefly powers to "articulate the theological framework and vision and set the strategic directions and goals...", "ensure...the capacity for the development of a vision and long term strategic plan...", "ensure that a long-term strategic plan is developed and implemented...", "provide a regular process for the oversight and accountability of the General Secretary, General Council Ministers and Working Units..."]
c. defeated motion before the plenary court to reconsider Resolution 3 [rop 2003 p. 102; if the resolution was previously defeated because the opinion of the 38th General Council was bylaw 524(c) already gave those powers to the Executive of General Council there would have been no requirement to reconsider Resolution 3 before the plenary court]
d. re-organization of the General Council offices did not approve change of policy which affected the powers of the Executive of General Council [Resolution 81 {rop 2000 pp. 79, 424, briefly "approve the reorganization of the General Council offices, including its governance structure...", "...delete the current sections relating to 'Administrative Divisions' (S. 600-796) and replace them with more general sections which capture the major role and purpose of the new units and the new governing structures"}]

The editorial changes were not required then "because of policy established from time to time..." [bylaw 524(d)] or to "clarify ambiguity or intent" [bylaw 524(d)], leaving question of the authority to make such editorial changes.

It is beyond the authority of the Executive of General Council to editorially delete a restriction to its powers.