Overture passed by the session of
St. Luke's Presbyterian, Wayzata, MN, for consideration by the Twin Cities
Area Presbytery Jan. 11, 2003
[1-18-03]
Shall the presbytery approve an overture to the 2l5th
General Assembly (2003) the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regarding amendment
of G6-0.106b to amend G-6.0106a, to delete G-6.0106b, and to approve an
authoritative interpretation as follows:
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area respectfully
overtures the 215th General Assembly (2003) to do the following:
1. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed
amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
a. Shall G-6.0106b be stricken.
b. Shall G-6.0106a be amended by adding a new sentence to
the end of the paragraph to read as follows: "Their suitability to hold
office is determined by the governing body where the examination for
ordination or installation takes place, guided by scriptural and
constitutional standards, under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ."
2. Approve the following authoritative interpretation:
"Interpretive statements concerning ordained service by
homosexual persons by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the
United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the 119th
General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and
all subsequent denominational affirmations thereof, shall be given no
further force or effect; and Section G-6.0106a of the Form of Government,
together with the other prerequisites for ordination expressly stated in our
Book of Order, hereby are affirmed as the sole and exclusive
standards for ordination by ordaining bodies acting in prayerful discernment
of the leading of Almighty God."
Rationale
We believe that the presence of G-60106b within our
Book of Order has created a hostile and divisive environment in our
church that is contrary to God's reconciling love and the spirit of our
Reformed faith. We are greatly saddened over the increasing number of
accusations and judicial cases that have arisen in recent months as a result
of this measure. These trials are causing the church to spend inordinate
financial and human resources defending an exclusionary policy that is not
an essential of the Reformed faith, drawing precious resources away from the
primary mission of the church.
The effects of compliance with G-6.0106b run counter to
the sentiment of G-5.0103 that "Each member must seek the grace of openness
in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons." Failure to do this,
it continues, "constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a
scandal to the gospel." We would honor Christ's last prayer with his
disciples that all may be one (John 17:11) and would heed the admonition of
the New Testament writers that we avoid needless controversies lest the body
of Christ be divided.
Presbyterians have historically valued the rights of
governing bodies to make decisions that affect them the most directly,
seeking unity in the essentials of faith but not necessarily in "truths and
forms with respect to which [people] of good characters and principles may
differ." (Book of Order, G-1.0305) Biblical interpretations differ,
and the church should therefore leave it to local governing bodies to act
out of their own faith as discerned together in prayer when such
interpretations over nonessential matters are in conflict.
The confessions of our church are valuable guides in our
decisions about ordination and many other issues, but they are always
subordinate to Jesus Christ and the authority of scripture. (Book of
Order, G-1.0307 and G-2.0200; Book of Confessions, 3.18-.20,
5.011-.014, 6.010, and 9.03) Our constitution affirms that "God alone is
Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside
it, in matters of faith or worship." (Book of Order, G-1.0301; see
also G-1.0305 and G-1.0307; Book of Confessions, 5.010-.014, 6.109,
6.174-.175, 7.215, and 8.20-.21)
The church "is called to be a sign in and for the world of
the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus Christ,"
reflecting that "(1) Sin is forgiven. (2) Reconciliation is accomplished.
(3) the dividing walls of hostility are torn down." (Book of Order,
G-3.0200). This leads to an affirmation of diversity and the welcoming
inclusion of all people (Book of Order, G-3.0401, G-4.0203,
G-r.0401-.0403, G-5.0202, and G-9.0104; Book of Confessions,
9.06-.07, 9.10, 9.19-.20, 9.22, 9.29, 9.31-33, and 9.44).
We understand our polity and system of ordination to mean
that leaders are called by God and confirmed by the people, and that all
members whose manner of life demonstrates the gospel and who possess the
gifts and training for leadership have opportunities to participate in
leadership. In faithfulness to our call to be good stewards of the resources
entrusted to us, we would affirm and enable ordained service and outreach by
all in whom we discern a call to serve (Book of Order, G-1.0306,
G-4.0402, G-4.0403, G-6.0102, G-6.0107, G-7.0103, G-10.0102l, G-14.0201, and
G-14.0204).
In our continuing struggle on these issues, the Church is
called to be open to God's continuing reformation "according to the Word of
God and the call of the Spirit" (Book of Order, G-2.0200; see also
G-e.0401, G-4.0303, G-10.0102j, and G-18.0101; Book of Confessions,
9.03 and 9.29).
