The Rev. Dr. Jack Rogers, Moderator of the 213^th General Assembly, has just posted a thoughtful and helpful essay observing that the actions of the 218^th GA, this past June, offers a new way “for all of us to move forward together in mission as one church.”

He notes that there were two main themes of the Assembly’s actions: becoming more fully a “missional church,” and becoming more inclusive by granting “ equal rights to our church members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).”

While one theme may seem the concern of conservatives, and the other the focus of progressive support, in fact they can be mutually supportive. He writes: “Think about it – if the goal is for the church to be woven into the very fabric of society – we can’t have preconceived notions about our neighbors. We have to go out with open hearts to preach and practice the message that we are to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Affirming the equality of all God’s people is a prerequisite for reaching out in Christian service to all God’s people. So the GA approved overtures to grant equal rights to people who are LGBT and also approved steps to create a more missional church. In so doing, I believe the Assembly found a new way forward.”

So the new version of G-6.0106b will not only advance the cause of fairness and love in our church; it will also be a vital step toward becoming a truly missional church as well.

Eugene TeSelle, Witherspoon Issues Analyst
[7-28-08 -- updated 8-4-08]

As Presbyterians prepare to consider in their presbyteries the proposed amendment to the Book of Order, which would broaden and deepen the notion of conditions for ordination – and would eliminate the narrow ban on homosexuality which was put in place in 1997 – it may help to have a sense of the long and winding path the church has followed in dealing with the question of sexuality and ordination.

Gene TeSelle has prepared this brief chronology to help us navigate that path.

1970  The PCUS (the "Southern Church") calls for decriminalization of same-sex acts between consenting adults.

1974  Formation of the Presbyterian Gay Caucus in the UPCUSA (the "Northern Church," actually nationwide after reunion with the majority of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1903).

1976  Two New York presbyteries ask for "definitive guidance" about ordination of self-professed homosexuals; General Assembly appoints a task Force to consider the question.

1978  UPCUSA Task Force report favors ordination (there is also a minority report); Lay Committee and other organizations stir up grassroots opposition; Thomas Gillespie chairs GA subcommittee, which supports the minority report, but Gillespie notes that it is "guidance," not "law," and affirms the role of the presbytery in ordination; GA votes to

          (a) defend full civil rights for gays and lesbians,

          (b) welcome them as members, but

          (c) discourage ordination.

1978  UPCUSA Stated Clerk W.P. Thompson rules that the Assembly, although it intended only to issue a "definitive guidance," had rendered a binding "constitutional interpretation" (he would later change his position on this).

1979  PCUS General Assembly issues statement similar to UPCUSA's.

1980  Presbyterians for Gay Concerns renamed Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns.

1980  More Light Churches Network organized.

1983  Reunion of PCUS and UPCUSA to form PC(USA).

1992  Permanent Judicial Commission rules against installation of Jane Spahr and ordination of Lisa Larges.

1993  GA issues "authoritative interpretation" (AI) against ordination of "self-professed, unrepentant homosexuals."

1993  Founding of That All May Freely Serve (Jane Spahr).

1996  Founding of Shower of Stoles (Martha Juillerat).

1996  GA proposes addition to Book of Order (G-6.0106b), sent to the presbyteries as "Amendment B":

Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.

1997  Presbyteries vote to add G-6.0106b to Book of Order.

1997  GA proposes amendment to reword G-6.0106b (first dubbed "B-plus," it goes to the presbyteries as "Amendment A"):

Among these standards is the requirement to demonstrate fidelity and integrity in marriage or singleness, and in all relationships of life. Candidates for ordained office shall acknowledge their own sinfulness, their need for repentance, and their reliance on the grace and mercy of God to fulfill the duties of the office.

1997  Founding of Covenant Network of Presbyterians to secure passage of "Amendment A."

1998  Defeat of "Amendment A" in the presbyteries.

1998  More Light Presbyterians formed by union of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns and More Light Churches Network.

2001  GA creates Theological Task Force (TTF) on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church (PUP), to deal with "Christology, biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards, and power."

2001  GA proposes amendment to book of Order deleting G-6.0106b, expanding G-6.0106a, and revoking all previous authoritative interpretations (AIs). It goes to the presbyteries as "Amendment O."

2002  Defeat of Amendment O in the presbyteries.

2003  GA Committee approves the Des Moines overture to revoke previous AIs and send to the presbyteries an amendment to the Book of Order; on the floor, the GA votes to take no action, noting that the TTF is dealing with the issue and will report in 2006.

2004  Four different sets of overtures are sent from presbyteries, amending G-6.0106b and/or revoking previous AIs. The committee approves one of these overtures, but in plenary session the GA defeats this by four votes. It urges the church to pray for the TTF and "engage faithfully in the process of discernment as led by the Task Force."

2005  The TTF issues its report in two parts, one on July 19, the other, with the much-awaited recommendations, on August 25. It focuses not on G-6.0106b but on G-6.0108, which says that

           •         ordained officers "shall adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity";

           •         that freedom of conscience in the interpretation of Scripture is to be maintained as long as there is not "serious departure" from these standards; and

           •         that the judgment whether a person has departed from the "essentials," and how seriously, rests with the governing body.

The TTF recommends that the 2006 General Assembly adopt an authoritative interpretation (AI) of this paragraph. It states that standards are established by the whole church, and thus local governing bodies "cannot set their own standards or set aside the church's standards." And yet there is flexibility, since any examination involves determining, "on a case-by-case basis," whether the person adheres to the "essential and necessary articles" and, if there is any "departure" from them, whether it is "serious." This is based on the Adopting Act of 1729, reaffirmed in a number of Presbyterian reunions and explicitly affirmed by the General Assemblies of 1926 and 1927.

The GA approves this recommendation by a 57% vote.

2006-7          Many presbyteries (including Middle Tennessee) develop guidelines for the examination of candidates in the spirit of the new AI.

2008  Several of these presbyteries (including Middle Tennessee) send overtures asking that the 2008 General Assembly direct the Office of the Stated Clerk to gather these "best practices" and make them available to all governing bodies. The GA responds positively to this proposal.

 In the meantime, the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) has ruled that G-6.0106b is still binding and cannot be "scrupled." The GA takes corrective action and adopts another AI, declaring that the provision about "scruples" or "departures" applies equally to all ordination standards, whether they involve doctrine, polity, or practice.

 The GA also approves an overture to replace the language of G-6.0106b with new language, declaring that judgments about ordained service are to be based on the whole range of the ordination vows. This now goes to the presbyteries, and it can take effect only after a majority of presbyteries votes to approve it before June 28, 2009.

 The Assembly in the same action adopts a new AI declaring that the past AIs prohibiting ordained service by homosexual church members (starting with the "definitive guidance" of 1978/79 and including the AI of 1993) have "no further force or effect."

 In sending the amendment to the presbyteries the Assembly adds a "comment," urging presbyteries to discuss it in ways that will foster understanding and discernment.

 To see what the current situation is under "Presbyterian law," with all these AIs and revocations and proposed amendments, you could check Advisory Opinion #22, online at www.pcusa.org/constitutionalservices/ad-op/note22.htm.

Let’s help the PC(USA) move through those doors!

[7-23-08]

by Gene TeSelle, Witherspoon Issues Analyst

If you have ideas or questions
about how we might help our church
move toward healthier and more inclusive
ordination policies,
please send a note,
to be shared here.

The actions of the 2008 General Assembly suggest that the tide has turned in the Presbyterian Church. It elected a progressive and forward-looking Moderator, and a Stated Clerk who represents a continuation of the approach taken by Clifton Kirkpatrick. It approved a number of measures that move the church toward greater justice in dealing with candidates for ordination (more on this in a moment). And in spite of persistent opposition from the Institute on Religion and Democracy, it affirmed a strong social witness by large majorities. These included an important new "Social Creed for the 21st Century" and strong policy statements on energy policy and global warming, homelessness and affordable housing, public education, voting rights and electoral reform, single-payer universal health care system, and voting rights and electoral reform.

Some Background on a Complicated Issue

For decades, a major issue at the General Assembly has been the ordination of gay and lesbian church members as deacons, elders, or ministers. In 1978 (1979 in the Southern church) a "definitive guidance" was issued, giving a negative answer but calling itself guidance, not law; but then it was treated as law. In 1993 the General Assembly issued an "authoritative interpretation" (AI) to make it definite. And in 1996-97 the Book of Order was amended to prohibit ordination of persons in same-sex relationships (this is "Amendment B," or G-6.0106b in the Book of Order).

A Theological Task Force met from 2001 to 2006. It represented people from across the entire spectrum of opinions, and it became a model of mutuality and consensus-building. It did not deal directly with same-sex relationships. Instead it focused on another paragraph in the same chapter of the Book of Order (G-6.0108). This follows an old Presbyterian tradition that allows persons being ordained to state their "scruples" or "departures" from the confessions and Form of Government, as long as these do not affect "essentials." The ordaining body (the session or the presbytery) is responsible for making that judgment. The 2006 General Assembly approved this recommendation, issuing an "authoritative interpretation" (AI).

At the 2008 GA, four further actions were taken.

1. In the spirit of this new AI, many presbyteries developed guidelines for the examination of candidates, hoping to facilitate the process and avoid confusion. Several of these presbyteries sent overtures to the 2008 General Assembly, asking that it direct the Office of the Stated Clerk to gather these "best practices" and make them available to all governing bodies. The GA responded positively to this proposal.
    
2. In the meantime a complication arose. Early in 2008 the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) ruled that Amendment B was still binding and could not be "scrupled." This was too much for many people, including members of the Theological Task Force, who felt that the PJC's decision was unwise, based, perhaps, on misplaced legalism. The 2008 GA has now taken corrective action and adopted another AI, declaring that the provision about "scruples" or "departures" applies equally to all ordination standards, whether they involve doctrine, polity, or practice. Future judicial decisions must be made on this basis.
    
3. The recent Assembly also approved an overture to replace the language of G-6.0106b with new language, declaring that judgments about ordained service are to be based on the whole range of the ordination vows, not singling out the clause dealing with sexuality, which has caused so much dissension in the church and so much damage to persons. As an amendment to the Book of Order, this now goes to the presbyteries; it will take effect only after a majority of presbyteries votes to approve it.
    
4. The Assembly also adopted a new AI declaring that the past AIs prohibiting ordained service by homosexual church members (starting with the "definitive guidance" of 1978/79 and including the AI of 1993) have "no further force or effect."

The Assembly's actions have caused consternation among conservative organizations.  Presbyterians for Renewal characterized the AI and the recommended amendment as "local license" (when in fact they require examining bodies to be more careful and more comprehensive than in the past) and drew up an explicit list of strategic goals, promising to work to

Some congregations have already broken away, and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has set up a "transitional" non-geographical presbytery for these congregations. Most of these congregations are trying to take their property with them, despite the "trust" provision in our constitution (G-8.0201). Thirty-three of the 39 current lawsuits in secular courts have been initiated not by presbyteries seeking to retain property but by departing churches, usually without any discussion with their presbyteries.

The 2008 GA set up a voluntary $2 million fund "for the purpose of sharing the costs of legal fees defending our Constitution against the New Wineskins non-geographic presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church." As many as forty presbyteries face lawsuits of this sort.

Agitation by conservative organizations is nothing new. We are familiar with the various attempts to impose new restrictions at all levels, whether in the congregation or the presbytery or the General Assembly, and, in order to achieve these goals, the use of power plays, ranging from withholding of per capita payments to threats to withdraw from the church.  We keep hearing criticism of the "Louisville bureaucracy" in general and personal attacks on individuals, especially if they can be linked with wedge issues. 

This year the tactics have become even more threatening. Those who want to leave the church are filing lawsuits in secular courts, while those who are prepared to stay, at least for the time being, seem to be doing what they can to destroy the church in order to save it.

The 2008 Assembly was not willing to be intimidated. Its actions indicate that it has lost patience with these tactics and is ready to move in new and more constructive directions.

Our church has experienced a number of divisions in the past. These led eventually to reunions in which each group acknowledged the legitimacy of the other. Now we are threatened with division once again.

There is "a more excellent way" (cf. I Cor. 12:31). The Theological Task Force modeled it in their deliberations, and they recommended it to the GA and the church at large.

The AI adopted in 2006 and reaffirmed in 2008 urges us to learn to live together and respect the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4). We have every reason to believe that this approach will be affirmed in the presbyteries as they consider its more generous, inclusive, and open-minded way of examining and ordaining deacons, elders, and ministers.

But it's important to be aware of a time limit in this process.  According to G-18.0301, presbyteries must vote on amendments by one year from adjournment.  That means June 28, 2009.  (Polity wonks please correct any misperception.)

Now is the time for Witherspooners – and the many others committed to justice and true peace in the church – to help us all move forward together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We will be providing more information and reflection soon, but here are some documents that you may find helpful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The PC(USA) Department of Constitutional Services has offered advisory opinions on the GA actions

The Department of Constitutional Services, part of the Office of the General Assembly, has issued an Advisory Opinion which states what actions of the 218th GA, dealing with Book of Order provisions G-6.0106b and G-6.0108, are taking effect immediately, and which ones, as constitutional amendments, must be approved by a majority of the presbyteries before they might take effect.

Briefly, the new Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0106b has gone into effect immediately following the Assembly. That means that earlier AIs, beginning with 1978 and 1979, which state that “[f]or the church to ordain a self-affirming, practicing homosexual person to ministry would be to act in contradiction to its charter and calling in Scripture,” are no longer in effect.

However, the “fidelity and chastity” requirement set forth in G-6.0106b does remain in effect, until it is removed from the Book of Order by the approval of a majority of the presbyteries. That action must be taken within one year from the conclusion of the 218th General Assembly.

The Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108 also takes effect immediately. This allows a candidate for ordination to declare a departure (or “scruple”) from a standard of either belief or practice on grounds of conscience. It is still a matter for the examining body to “give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis,” to any such departure – but the recent GAPJC decision in the case of Bush v. Presbytery of Pittsburgh, which rejected any departure in matters of behavior, is invalidated.

The full statement from the Department of Constitutional Services >>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108 “to ensure proper application of ordination standards.”

Action 05-12    On Adopting an Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108 to Ensure Proper Application of Ordination Standards.  For the full text >>

This was approved by the Assembly by a vote of 375 in the affirmative, 325 negative, and 4 abstentions.

The crucial action reads:

That the 218th General Assembly (2008) to approve the following authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 of the Book of Order:

[Text to be inserted is shown with an underline and with brackets.]

“[The 218th General Assembly (2008) affirms the authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 approved by the 217th General Assembly (2006). Further, the 218th General Assembly (2008), pursuant to G-13.0112, interprets] the requirements of G-6.0108 [to] apply equally to all ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Section G-6.0108 requires examining bodies to give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis, to any departure from an ordination standard in matters of belief or practice that a candidate may declare during examination. However, the examining body is not required to accept a departure from standards, and cannot excuse a candidate’s inability to perform the constitutional functions unique to his or her office (such as administration of the sacraments).”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Replacement of G-6.0106b with a new statement of standards for ordination, and removal of two AIs which effectively outlawed ordination for LGBT persons

Action 05-09    On Deleting G-6.0106b and Substituting a New Paragraph in Its Place; on Amending G-14.0240 and G-14.0450; and on Providing a New Authoritative Interpretation.    The full text >>

The Assembly approved this action by a vote of 380 for, 325 against, and 3 abstentions. The action was approved with this comment added: “Presbyteries are strongly encouraged to consider this overture using a process of listening and discernment.”

The proposed new statement of G-6.0106b reads:

Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate’s sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.

The action also proposes amendments to sections of G-14, dealing with preparation and examination for ordained office, and “final assessment of readiness to begin ordained ministry.”

Further, it enacts a new Authoritative Interpretation, nullifying AIs set forth in 1978 and 1979, which essentially barred the possibility of ordination for gay and lesbian Presbyterians.

If you have ideas or questions
about how we might help our church
move toward healthier and more inclusive
ordination policies,
please send a note,
to be shared here.

PVJ's Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, PVJ's Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

John Shuck’s new "Religion for Life" website

Long-time and stimulating blogger John Shuck, a Presbyterian minister currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., writes about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening up.

Click here for his blog posts.

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

Got more blogs to recommend?