Presbyterian Church (USA) presbyteries will soon start voting on seven proposed amendments to the denomination’s Book of Order and one addition to its Book of Confessions.
All eight were approved by the 221st General Assembly this past June, and now must be ratified by the PCUSA’s 171 presbyteries.
A booklet of the proposed amendments, which includes a note from Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the PCUSA’s General Assembly, has been published by the Office of the General Assembly and can be downloaded here.
In a note published in the booklet, Parsons requested that presbytery votes be taken by May 15, 2015, so that any changes to the constitution that might be approved can be published in the 2015-16 Book of Order. Also a separate vote on each amendment is required.
Marriage
Probably the most controversial amendment proposed – 14-F – is the one that seeks to change the definition of marriage.
While same-sex marriage is now permitted by PCUSA pastors in PCUSA churches in states where it is legal as a result of the General Assembly’s approval of an Authoritative Interpretation, amendment 14F seeks to change the related language found in the Book of Order’s Directory of Worship.
The proposed amendment re-writes the entire section on marriage, but the most significant change is in the second sentence which says, “Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people to love and support each other for the rest of their lives.” The current definition of marriage states that marriage is between “a man and a woman.”
Since the amendment seeks to change the Book of Order, a majority vote of the denomination’s 171 presbyteries is required for it to be ratified.
The 2014 General Assembly voted to send the amendment to the presbyteries for ratification by a vote of 429 (71 percent) to 175 (29 percent).
Resources for vote on 14-F include:
- GA approves same-sex marriages in PCUSA
- General Assembly action on marriage (pz-biz)
- The Layman Online’s GA actions/reactions resource page (includes section on marriage)
- Theology Matters’ resources on marriage
- Side-by-side comparison of current and proposed definitions of marriage
Belhar
The first proposed amendment listed in the booklet–14-1 –would add the Confession of Belhar to the PCUSA’s Book of Confessions. The 2014 General Assembly voted by an 86 percent margin to send the confession to the presbyteries for ratification.
A super-majority – or two-thirds vote – of the presbyteries must be reached and the 2016 GA must vote to approve it, before Belhar can be added to the other 11 confessions in the denomination’s constitution. This is second time a General Assembly has sent Belhar to the presbyteries for ratification. In 2010, Belhar failed to receive the requisite two-thirds presbytery vote needed to be approved.
Resources for Belhar include:
- The Belhar Confession
- General Assembly action on Belhar Confession (pc-biz)
- Presbyterian Coalition’s Belhar Confession resources from 2010-2012
- 221st GA approves the Confession of Belhar (The Layman Online)
- Belhar, the committee & our disunity
- Presbyterian Coalition’s Belhar Confession resources from 2010-2012
Other proposed amendments include:
14-A. Renunciation of jurisdiction: This amendment would add a new paragraph to G-2.0509. It reads:
“Whenever a former teaching elder has renounced jurisdiction in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding as the accused, that former teaching elder shall not be permitted to perform any work, paid or volunteer, in any congregation or entity under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
14-B1. Final assessment. This proposed amendment was approved by the General Assembly after it was recommended by the Special Committee to Review the Preparation for Ministry Process and Standard Ordination Exams. It would make the following changes to G-2.0607:
Shall G-2.0607 be amended as follows? [Text to be deleted is shown with strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown in italic.]
“A candidate may not enter into negotiation for his or her service as a teaching elder without approval of the presbytery of care. The presbytery shall record when it has certified a candidate ready for examination by a presbytery for ordination, pending a call. Evidence of readiness to begin ordered ministry as a teaching elder shall include:
“a. [Text in a.–c. remains unchanged.]
“d. satisfactory grades, together with the examination papers examination materials, together with evaluations that declare those materials satisfactory in the areas covered by any standard ordination examination approved by the General Assembly. Such examinations shall be prepared and administered by a body created by the presbyteries.”
14-B.2. Accommodations. This also was recommended for GA approval by the Special Committee to Review the Preparation for Ministry Process and Standard Ordination Exams. If approved the a majority of presbyteries, it would amend G-2.0610 to read:
Shall G-2.0610 be amended as follows? [Text to be deleted is shown with strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown in italic.]
“G-2.0610 Exceptions Accommodations to Particular Circumstances
“By a three-fourths vote, a presbytery When a presbytery concludes there are good and sufficient reasons for accommodations to the particular circumstances of an individual seeking ordination, it may, by a three-fourths vote, waive any of the requirements for ordination in G-2.06, except for those of G-2.0607d. If a presbytery judges that there are good and sufficient reasons why a candidate should not be required to satisfy the requirements of G-2.0607d, it shall approve by three-quarters vote some alternate means by which to ascertain the readiness of the candidate for ministry in the areas covered by the standard ordination examinations. A full account of the reasons for exception any waiver or alternate means to ascertain readiness shall be included in the minutes of the presbytery and communicated to the presbytery to which an inquirer or candidate may be transferred.”
14-C. Child Protection Policy. The proposed amendment would add the words “and a child protection policy” to G-3.0106, so that the sentence would read: “All councils shall adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy and a children protection policy.”
14-D. Minimum Composition of a presbytery, would amend G-3.0301 by adding the words in italics. “The minimum composition of a presbytery is ten duly constituted sessions and ten teaching elders, unless an exception is approved by its synod and the General Assembly giving consideration to the responsibilities assigned to presbyteries in G-3-01 and G-3.03.”
14-E. Interreligious Stance was approved by the 2014 GA following its recommendation from the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (GACEIR). It would amend G-5.0102.
Shall G-5.0102 be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at all levels seeks new will be open to and will seek opportunities for conversation and understanding respectful dialogue and mutual relationships with non-Christian entities and persons from other religious [entities] traditions. It does this in the faith that the church of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is a sign and means of God’s intention for the wholeness of all humankind and all creation.”
29 Comments. Leave new
About a year ago, the associate pastor of my former congregation sneaked Belhar into the service (unlike all the other confessions used by the congregation, its name was not shown in the bulletin). My guess is that somewhere between 0-5 of the 200+ people present had any idea that they were reciting a controversial confession rejected by the previous GA. The great majority of people in the pews are fatigued by the politics and social policies of their leaders, and have little appetite for fighting. So Belhar will be passed with little opposition, or even notice. Greater notice will be taken of the change in definition of marriage, but it will pass, too — if not this time, then next time after more tens or hundreds of thousands have left PCUSA.
Amendment proposed – 14-F will pass with the re-defining of marriage by the apostates nationwide. It will pass because the Elect of Christ have separated from the apostasy, and what is left are the left overs of those
apostates to pass the abomination, and the Triune God as revealed in The Holy Bible already knows what HE has foreknown and foreordained. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord saith Joshua to Moses.
Is there a site that follows and records the presbytery votes as they are confirmed prior to 5/15/15?
Filyaln! This is just what I was looking for.
Women who live from a false self also love and receive love from that same false self.
Moncler Soft Christian [url=http://www.someofmyeggs.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-4/scelfydl-p-004.html]Moncler Soft Christian[/url]
The classes then kick off with stimulating warm up games followed by a muscle warming stretch to get everyone ready for action.
Barbour Moreton Duffle Long Sleeve [url=http://www.bepgarinnai.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-5/kbcygtwc-p-857.html]Barbour Moreton Duffle Long Sleeve[/url]
Silent Auction Flea Market Finds.
Canada Goose Men Soft [url=http://www.snjacademics.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-2/xvvjskow-p-521.html]Canada Goose Men Soft[/url]
It’s about Patty Duke’s life, too.
Duvetica Antibacterial Anti-wrinkle [url=http://www.bepgarinnai.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-5/xnbjrlng-p-025.html]Duvetica Antibacterial Anti-wrinkle[/url]
Nancy W says October 3, 2012 at 4:36 pm Winter is fast approaching and my hands get so dry in the winter.
Wellensteyn Lady Light Gray [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/bulayjdr-p-270.html]Wellensteyn Lady Light Gray[/url]
the general ranges on athletics activities passenger cars in a p.
Wellensteyn Fuel Cycling [url=http://www.someofmyeggs.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-4/qbphehml-p-807.html]Wellensteyn Fuel Cycling[/url]
let me know if this is accurate.
Barbour Wine [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/vgqtssvj-p-967.html]Barbour Wine[/url]
Please note that this forum is moderated, and people who are found to be using this forum for inappropriate purposes will be banned.
Bogner Kekoa-D 3068 Men [url=http://www.kryptonale.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-1/gbqegvek-p-908.html]Bogner Kekoa-D 3068 Men[/url]
January 15, 2012 at 5:15 am Messier Tidy Upper @3.
Moncler Champetre Breathable [url=http://www.bepgarinnai.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-5/vankzeea-p-575.html]Moncler Champetre Breathable[/url]
“They also do the same when it comes to berries.
Moncler Short Hyacinth [url=http://www.akrabellohotel.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-8/gvalxcfw-p-184.html]Moncler Short Hyacinth[/url]
I have staff who are actively working toward having their own stores, and I’m basically paying them to get a master’s class (though I am fine with that.
Moncler Fabrice Men [url=http://www.cafeworkshops.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-10/isjwkdoj-p-367.html]Moncler Fabrice Men[/url]
Fred De Stefano, Sr went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 9, 2013.
Barbour Greenshore Quilted Chocolate [url=http://www.snjacademics.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-2/fnnugocm-p-373.html]Barbour Greenshore Quilted Chocolate[/url]
As of 2012, more than 67 percent of Americans receive fluoridated water,2 up from 66 percent in 2010.
Belstaff Men WEYBRIDGE [url=http://www.snjacademics.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-2/irnqpcxn-p-463.html]Belstaff Men WEYBRIDGE[/url]
November 5, 2014 3 Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s Model X Cos.
Moncler Purple Antibacterial [url=http://www.snjacademics.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-2/yyvgivws-p-295.html]Moncler Purple Antibacterial[/url]
Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else.
Bogner GTX Pink White [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/yhocqwvo-p-467.html]Bogner GTX Pink White[/url]
I lived in the Wilson Billets atop the hill where the Bismkark Tower is erected.
Belstaff Sage Anti-static [url=http://www.kryptonale.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-1/qrdxnacy-p-621.html]Belstaff Sage Anti-static[/url]
LAPTOP reviews which Apple iPad is right for you.
Moncler Slim Niemen [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/thkxzyhc-p-670.html]Moncler Slim Niemen[/url]
but on the whole superb burberry bags.
Barbour Isleham Waxed Anti-static [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/ddpgzhja-p-042.html]Barbour Isleham Waxed Anti-static[/url]
I’ve had two experiences that moved me back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Moncler Men Down Outwear [url=http://www.bepgarinnai.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-5/wgluathg-p-063.html]Moncler Men Down Outwear[/url]
My dad, William(Bill)Wise was in the U.
Barbour Lowerdale Quilted Long Sleeve [url=http://www.collsfarmstand.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-6/ztqrjmyq-p-100.html]Barbour Lowerdale Quilted Long Sleeve[/url]
Carrie slowly stepped forward to get a greater appear.
Moncler Folding Black Fur Collar Down Jacket [url=http://www.collsfarmstand.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-6/jpsnlalm-p-146.html]Moncler Folding Black Fur Collar Down Jacket[/url]
If so, I now have an exciting role that has become available due to Company.
Peuterey Keep Warm Fur Collar [url=http://www.voxhumanitatis.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-7/jmkdktbn-p-460.html]Peuterey Keep Warm Fur Collar[/url]
It seems like everyone wants to play on co ed recreational sports teams, but often times find it difficult to organize a group of friends to sign up a whole squad.
Belstaff Grey Jacket [url=http://www.kryptonale.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-1/xflhsndc-p-021.html]Belstaff Grey Jacket[/url]
Более того, YoWindow будет отображать прогноз погоды прямо на вашем рабочем столе: температуру, погоду, скорость ветра и т.
Barbour Houghton Waterproof Event [url=http://www.cafeworkshops.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-10/ioqponed-p-171.html]Barbour Houghton Waterproof Event[/url]
(“Homicide is excusable in the following cases: 1.
Moncler Camping Fragon [url=http://www.ouchpain.com/Serungffuma/en/yurongfuzonhe-3/bvngsyts-p-163.html]Moncler Camping Fragon[/url]