Resources on Ovt 8

Resources on Amendment 01-A

We are providing reports on current voting on Amendment A, on a separate page.

Amendment 01-A, formerly Overture 01-08 from the Presbytery of New York City was approved by the 213th General Assembly for submission to the presbyteries for a vote.

If approved by a majority of our presbyteries, it will remove G-6.0106b from our Book of Order, and will return to our sessions and presbyteries the responsibility for discerning the appropriateness of a person for service in ordained leadership in the Presbyterian Church.

This will be a matter for prayerful reflection and discussion in the coming months, and we will present here as many resources as we can for thoughtful consideration -- some on this site, and many on others.

The material does not offer a single viewpoint, though it represents Witherspoon's basic commitment to the elimination of G-6.0106b from our Book of Order.

We hope you'll find the material helpful. And if you have comments, or suggestions for additional resources, please send a note!

The most recent additions are listed immediately below. All of the resources are listed by categories farther down the page.

An e-mail from Jonathan Justice responds to what he sees as "lies" by one speaker in the Coalition's anti-Amendment-A video. [2-25-02]

Homosexuality: chosen or determined?
[1-15-02]

A Presbyterian elder and neuroscientist offers clarification of interpretations of Robert Spitzer's Wall Street Journal article of last May, which were much debated on PresbyWeb.

His first, shorter letter, includes a statement from Dr. Spitzer that "the study provides no support for the notion that homosexual orientation is a matter of choice or that any gay man or lesbian can change if motivated enough."

A second letter expands on his comments about the limits of statistical generalizations, and about what they do and do not imply about claims for "conversion therapy."

Material for the debate on Amendment 01-A

The Witherspoon Society is making available a packet of materials to aid our church in the debate on Amendment A. Most of the material is already on this web site, but a print form is easier to share.

You can check out the list of contents, and how to order. [12-5-01]

G-6.0106b is "wholly un-Reformed" [1-8-02]

Here's a comment from the Rev. Dennis Maher, who is a member at large of Great Rivers Presbytery, living in Delavan IL and a member of Westar Institute, Santa Rosa CA

Amendment 01-A Will Keep All God's Creatures on the Ark [12-12-01]

The Rev. John A. Shuck, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Billings, MT, has sent us this essay, in which he reflects on the benefits that passage of Amendment A would bring to all of us as a denomination, and to our congregations and members.

It would, he says, be faithful to Scripture, respectful of differing opinions among us, and in harmony with the meaning of ordination in our church.

One Retired Missionary's Response to "An Open Letter from Our Missionaries" [12-10-01]

Retired missionary Bill Hopper writes in response to "An Open Letter from Our Missionaries," in which they express the fear that "If Amendment A should pass, compromising our church's commitment to the biblical and confessional understanding of chastity as faithfulness in marriage and celibacy in singleness, we will put our partnerships with sister Churches around the world in profound jeopardy."

Hopper suggests that "Our Missionaries" are showing a lack of respect for our sister churches around the world, which are working out their own patterns of faithfulness in their situations just as we are attempting to do in our own.

Over 130 of the commissioners to the 213th General Assembly have joined in an open letter to the PC(USA), which concludes:

Amendment 01-A honors Scripture, Confessions, and our Presbyterian heritage -- and allows Presbyterians to honor and respect one another.

We urge you to join us in supporting Amendment 01-A.

Check out the full text of the letter, and see who has signed it. [12-5-01]

Another open letter, from leading figures on the conservative side of the church, urges us all to defeat Amendment A. [12-5-01]

A comment on the 78 theses of George Hunsinger [11-30-01]

George Hunsinger, the McCord Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Seminary, has issued a personal statement in the Nov. 26^th issue of Presbyterian Outlook, as his contribution to the current debate on ordination and Amendment 01-A. He offers 78 "theses for the crisis on our church," which appear to stand with traditional interpretations of scripture and views of sexuality to urge the rejection of Amendment 01-A. But Gene TeSelle concludes that his position shows more openness than may appear at first.

Early returns show Amendment A running behind

24 of the first 28 presbyteries to vote would keep "fidelity and chastity" provision [11-29-01]

One "big gun" that has been wheeled into the debate on Amendment A is a recent book by Robert Gagnon of Pittsburgh Seminary, which attempts to make a case that the biblical witness is unequivocally opposed to any homosexual practice. Dr. Beth Johnson of Columbia Seminary has written a thoughtful review of the book. [11-15-01]

Long-time Presbyterian leaders Etta and Harry Smith trace their own journey through the human dimensions of the question of how we decide who's "in" and who's "out." [11-15-01]

It's time a pay serious attention to how we can talk with friends in our presbyteries -- who may often be sympathetic, but fearful of possible consequences for the church if Amendment A is approved. Here are some thoughts on "talking points." [11-14-01]

The Covenant Network web site has posted a number of important and interesting addresses from the recent Covenant Network conference. [11-19-01]

The Covenant Network gathering in Pasadena, Nov. 1-3, was an inspiring reexamination of "Christ transforming culture," and featured important statements by Moderator Jack Rogers and Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick.
We have Gene TeSelle's report on the event, and the full text of Jack Rogers' talk. [11-5-01]

TeSelle includes a brief commentary on the anti-amendment A video that has been produced by the Coalition and Presbyterians for Renewal.

The Covenant Network web site includes a number of new resources on Amendment A, including

	a response to questions and misconceptions that have arisen, Covenant Network offers Facts and Fallacies about Amendment 01-A.
	Ted Smith's description of how Amendment 01-A restores the proper place and focus of authority for ordination decisions. [11-5-01]

Amendment A: What it would and wouldn't do
Attorney Doug Nave explores some of the points currently being argued about Amendment A. He shows how it would not compromise Presbyterian standards for ordination, would restore proper authority to local governing bodies, would not institute any new requirements (as in the case of the ordination of women, and would restore honesty and respect for conscience in the life our our church. [10-24-01]

Listed below are various types of materials:

	Official documents and other resources from the PC(USA)
	Statements and other materials from the discussions during the 213th General Assembly
	Major supporting materials produced since the Assembly
	News reports and other developments in the debate
	Sermons and other comments on Amendment A
	Dealing with biblical issues
	Resources from other web sites and other groups

Official documents from the PC(USA)

The official text of Amendment 01-A

Overture 01-08, as approved by the 213^th General Assembly, has now received its official name for the coming year: Amendment 01-A. Ordination Standards - On Amending G-6.0106 [7-23-01]

The Stated Clerk has issued a "polity reflection note," clarifying what would (and would not!) be the consequences of approval of Amendment A -- overture 8 from New York City. [7-20-01]

An index of GA actions relating to homosexuality, 1970-2001

The Constitutional Services Department of the Office of the General Assembly has listed all actions of the General Assembly relating to homosexuality from 1970 to the present. You may find it helpful in researching this complex issue for the coming discussions of Amendment A. [8-2-01]

Statements and other materials from the discussions during the 213th General Assembly

The PowerPoint presentation by 30 Overture Advocates from 27 presbyteries, for the 35 overtures to the 213th General Assembly asking to change or delete G-6.0106b, is now available on the Covenant Network web site.

Covenant Network has also posted the text of the narrations that accompanied the PowerPoint presentation:

Core Presbyterian Values: Freedom of Conscience and Mutual Forbearance in Non-Essential Matters, by Douglas Nave (Trustee of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, and Overture Advocate from New York City Presbytery) and Nancy Ramsey (Professor of Pastoral Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Overture Advocate from Mid-Kentucky Presbytery).

A More Excellent Way, by Jay McKell (Pastor, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church,Overland Park, KS, and Overture Advocate from Heartland Presbytery)

We Need Middle Ground: Closing Presentation to the Ordination Standards Committee, by Tim Hart-Andersen (Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, and Overture Advocate from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area).

On appropriate use of Scripture in our debates

A large group of professors of Bible at Presbyterian seminaries has issued a letter, accompanied by a statement, in an effort to offer some help to the coming discussions at General Assembly. [6-9-01]

COMMON GROUND FOR AN UNCOMMON DAY

The keynote address at the Witherspoon Society's Orientation Meeting for the 213th General Assembly offered a quick overview of how we might deal with questions of biblical authority in relation to the issue of ordination of glbt people. The Rev. Dr. Charles (Buz) Myers holds a Ph.D. degree in New Testament language and literature from Princeton Theological Seminary. Since 1986 he has taught at Gettysburg College, where he currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Religion Department. [6-21-01]

A report on the debate in Committee 6, and the arguments advanced in favor of Overture 8.

Testimony by former national staff member Carol Seaton.

Committee member Amy Bell spoke movingly out of the experience of her own life.

Presbyterian News Service report on the debate.

Major supporting materials produced since the Assembly

Who ordains, and for whom?
[8-26-01]

One of the major contentions of those opposing Amendment A is that "ordination is for the whole church," and so presbyteries must not be allowed do use standards which other presbyteries might not accept.

Elder Richard Hong offers a clear and careful argument that our Book of Order gives to each ordaining body (presbytery or session) both the right and the responsibility to exercise its own discernment in ordaining elders and ministers, and in calling ministers already ordained in other presbyteries.

How shall we talk about Amendment A?
Gene TeSelle surveys some of the major concerns and arguments arising in discussions of Amendment A, and suggests helpful responses. [8-15-01]

Eric Mount, professor of religion at Centre College in Kentucky, reflects on the Assembly's action on Overture 8 and the new task force on the peace of the church. He deals with some of the debates on the place of conscience in the church, on the meaning of connectionalism, on the role of scripture and the confessions, and on what it means to take time. [7-20-01]

An essay on John Calvin and freedom of conscience

News reports and other developments in the debate

One session explains why they support Amendment A

A session in National Capital Presbytery sent out a 7 page letter condemning Amendment A and asking every Session in the Presbytery to respond to them. The Session of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church unanimously approved a response, which offers a brief and cogent explanation of why they support Amendment A. [10-6-01]

What Does God Require of Us Now:
Life With or Without Amendment B

A regional conference for the Northeast is planned for Nov. 9-10 in Buffalo, NY, with presenters from both sides of the debate. [10-3-01]

Keeping the debate in perspective:

Jane Dempsey Douglass' Witherspoon address on Mission Essentials for the Twenty-first Century: Beyond Conflict over Sexuality offered a positive vision of our church's mission in the years ahead -- a mission growing out of Christian freedom, and seeking economic and environmental justice on a global scale.

Dr. Douglass has graciously provided us with the full text of her talk, and we are delighted to share it here. [9-24-01]

Moral freedom does not equal moral anarchy [8-31-01]

Sociologist Alan Wolfe has concluded from more than 200 conversations with people across America, that our people are increasingly reluctant to accept moral absolutes - but that does not mean they have plunged into a swamp of relativism, as religious conservatives so deeply fear.

Do you want to get involved in the debate in your presbytery, but you're not sure how?

A recent visitor asked how she could do just that, so we tried to offer some answers. You may not need this, but you might want to share it with friends who haven't had as much experience as you have! [8-18-01]

We've received one response to this page, asking why biblical and confessional bases for decisions were not included. [8-30-01]

European churches take an open attitude toward gay/lesbian ordination

A special visiting reporter with Presbyterian News Service writes on the very different attitudes in European churches toward gay ordination. While conservatives have pointed to relations with former "mission churches" - especially in Korea and parts of Latin America - as a reason to resist changes in the church's attitude toward glbt members, this report suggests that other sister churches have much more open attitudes and policies. [7-3-01]

The Presbyterian Coalition has announced the outlines of its strategy for defeating Amendment A. [8-6-01]

Sermons and other comments on Amendment A

Beloved, Let us Respect One Another [8-30-01]

Gordon Shull, elder of Wooster, Ohio, suggests ways of keeping the issues in perspective so that we can engage in debate without letting the differences divide us.

The "Council" in Louisville
Trina Zelle, Witherspoon's Secretary-Communicator, preached on the Sunday after the Assembly, aiming to correct some of the misunderstanding of the GA action that were and still are being spread by the secular press and by conservative Presbyterians who oppose Amendment A. The issue, she says, is not morality vs. immorality, but Jesus' attitude of inclusion vs. our human desires to exclude. [8-11-01]

To see Amendment A from the perspective of someone who is personally involved in the issue of ordination, and who was a commissioner at the 213th General Assembly, look at a sermon preached by the Rev. Tammy Lindahl the week after the Assembly, entitled "Mountain Moving." [7-31-01]

West Virginia pastor John Harris sent a pastoral letter to his congregation, reporting on the Assembly and the vote to delete G-6.0106b. [6-25-01]

"A MORE EXCELLENT WAY"

The Rev. Theodore J. Wardlaw, of Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, preached a thoughtful reflection on the Assembly on the Sunday after it adjourned. He dealt with both the pain and the hope that he found in that week, and saw the approval of Overture 8 as a step -- a difficult one, to be sure -- toward recovering our life as a church. [6-25-01]

Commissioner Lewis Wilkins opines that Overture 8 is the only way our church can escape our impasse, and move forward with the task force on peace, purity and unity of the church [7-5-01]

A sermon on freedom by Kent Winters-Hazelton (on the Sunday before July 4th) reflects on Paul's ringing proclamation of Christian freedom, and the recent action of our General Assembly. [7-5-01]

West Virginia pastor John Harris sent a pastoral letter to his congregation, reporting on the Assembly and the vote to delete G-6.0106b. [6-25-01]

"A MORE EXCELLENT WAY"

Overture 01-08, in its unofficial form from the Presbytery of New York City.

A concurring overture, with biblical rationales, from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

A comment from the Witherspoon Society about four different approaches for dealing with G-6.0106b, seeing 01-08 as a way to gain "a fresh start"

Early critiques of G-6.0106b

Dealing with biblical issues

On appropriate use of Scripture in our debates

COMMON GROUND FOR AN UNCOMMON DAY

A concurring overture, with biblical rationales, from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

Resources from other sites and other groups

Putting it mildly, Witherspoon is not the only group interested in our church's coming debates on Amendment A. We will be making available as many resources as we can for your consideration, but other groups are offering important material, too.

Here are some places to look:

The Covenant Network provides an extensive and growing collection of material. [posted here 8-13-01]

The presentation which overture advocates from 26 presbyteries gave to the Ordination Standards Committee of the Assembly is available on their site - both the full texts and the PowerPoint slides.

Covenant Network is offering the Advocates' presentation in a variety of formats:

	Booklet containing all the PowerPoint slide texts
	Booklet containing the full narrative, with the slides
	Full-length video (69 minutes) of the presentation. NOTE: To show the video to a group of any size, the discussion leader will need to photocopy the slide texts, as the resolution on the video makes some of them difficult to read. One complete printed set is included with each video.
	35-mm. slide set, reproducing the PowerPoint slides -- for easier showing in some contexts. Slide sets are available for loan, and are sent with the printed narrative.
	The slides reproduced as overhead transparencies. Also sent with the narrative.

A shorter, edited version of the video is in preparation and should be available early in September.

Copies of the full-length video, the slide texts, and the booklet of slides plus narrative are being mailed to all Presbytery Resource Centers. Presbyterians are encouraged to consult or borrow them there; additional copies for congregational or presbytery use are available on request.

Please direct questions, requests, or contributions to:

Covenant Network of Presbyterians
c/o Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 351-2196 (tel) * (415) 351-2198 (fax)
pambyers@covenantnetwork.org

More Light Presbyterians provide some important material. At this point most of its is drawn from earlier debates on Amendment B (1996) and then Amendment A (1997). [posted here 8-13-01]

PresbyWeb will lead you to a wide variety of materials, much of it expressing opposition to Amendment A. [posted here 8-13-01]

If you go to the page labeled "Index to the 'Remove the Fidelity & Chastity Requirement?' Debate" you will find primarily Moderator Jack Rogers' pastoral letter to the church in June, and responses to it.

A QUESTION TO PONDER:
Since Hans Cornelder of PresbyWeb chooses such an interesting descriptive title for Amendment A, what might we offer as alternatives? The 'Free the Church' debate? The 'Open the Doors' debate? What would you suggest??

... and more to be added!