The
Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church on January 6, 2004 respectfully
submits the following overture to the Philadelphia Presbytery for its
consideration:
The
Office of the Stated Clerk within six months of the conclusion of the 216th
General Assembly will contact every presbytery in order to compile a list of
all ordained pastors who were asked to leave this denomination because they
had biblical scruples against the ordination of women. After the list is
compiled the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA will personally contact these
individuals and ask them for forgiveness. He will state that our
denomination is presently not upholding its Constitution by disciplining
those who are publicly defying the clearly established ordination standards
(G-6.0106b). Furthermore, he will state that the PCUSA was wrong to enforce
the ordination standards with those pastors who exercised their conscience
against ordaining women and not enforce the constitutional standards with
those who are publicly disobeying G-6.0106b.
Rationale
In recent years leaders of several dozen PCUSA congregations and
presbyteries have made public declarations that they are defying or will
defy the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church USA. In particular these
congregations and presbyteries are compromising and resisting the
Book of Order that states those
who are called to an office in the PCUSA are required to 'live either in
fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or
chastity in singleness" (G-6.0106b). The following are examples of public
defiance:
Rev. Don Stroud, a homosexual and the Minister of Outreach
and Reconciliation of the Baltimore Presbytery, has stated in the More Light
Presbyterian newsletter that "I can not comply with G-6.0106b of the Book of
Order because to do so, for me, can come only at the price of denying my
faith/n Gods grace in Jesus Christ. G-6.0106b makes cornplicit unjust
oppressive violence" The presbytery investigating committee that was
appointed to review charges against Rev. Stroud refused to call a discipline
trial.
Northside Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Ml writes in
their core values that "We invite everyone regardless of gender identity,
sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or other worldly
condition, to fully join us in worship, leadership and community.
Trinity Presbyterian Church in NYC states that they are "a
congregation in which lesbian and gay persons can participate and serve
fully as members and leaders. It chooses and ordains elders and deacons
based on their character and Christian experience rather than worldly
categories that separate and harm people."
First United Presbyterian Church in Troy, NY expresses in
their vision statement that they are "a church that welcomes lesbian: gay,
bisexual, and transgender Christians into full membership and participation
in the PCUSA, including the opportunity and the responsibility to serve in
ordained leadership positions."
Clarendon Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA states, "We
have determined that we cannot agree to abide by G-6.0106b without violating
our informed conscience, faith, and interpretation of our obligations."
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tiburon, CA writes, "We
welcome into membership and the offices of the church all persons of faith,
regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation or level of
education, income, or other human condition."
The Presbytery of the Redwoods voted in 2001 to approve Katie
Morrison, a lesbian, as a minister of Word and Sacrament. Her call is to
serve with the More Light organization as a field organizer. Bill Moss,
co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, said Morrison "came out as a
lesbian in college, then at San Francisco Seminary, and has been honest
about being a lesbian Christian throughout her ordination process. We are
delighted to have her working with us to help change and transform our
church."
Rutgers Presbyterian Church in NYC states that we are "a
church that welcomes individuals into full membership, including ordained
offices, without regard to sexual orientation."
South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, NY held a
Reformation Day service (Oct. 27, 2002) as an act of public defiance of the
PCUSA Constitution. The worship included a "reaffirmation of ordination vows
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender leaders."
Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY
expresses that "we will continue to work to remove G-6.0106b from the Book
of Order, and in the meantime, we will interpret this law so as to permit
the ordination of those whom we deem qualified."
The Presbytery of Milwaukee voted in September, 2003 to
accept a self-described lesbian, Elisabeth Marlow as a candidate for
ordained ministry.
At one time local churches and presbyteries had the courage and integrity to
discipline pastors who had biblical scruples against the ordination of
women. These individuals were disciplined, asked to change their view on
women's ordination and to abide by the
Book of Order. If they refused to abide by the
Constitution the local presbytery took the necessary steps to release these
individuals from their affiliation with the denomination. Today, many clergy
and laity are aggressively standing against the clear instruction of the
Book of Order as it relates to
ordination of elders, deacons, and ministers (G-6.0106b). The Office of the
Stated Clerk and local presbyteries no longer have the courage to discipline
those who are publicly resisting and defying the
Book of Order. This injustice has been injurious
to those pastors who were told to leave this denomination because they had
biblical scruples against the ordination of women.
Dr. Jeffrey W. Winter
Senior Pastor, Bethany
Collegiate PC
Mr. Stephan Wilson
Clerk of Session
[posted here on 1-20-04]
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