Division of PCUSA voted down by presbytery in Pa.
The Layman Online, Posted Monday, January 19, 2004
The Presbytery of Washington in Pennsylvania voted 76-28 Saturday against a proposed overture that would have sought a “gracious separation” of local congregations into two new denominations.
The Rev. David Bleivik, general presbyter of the Washington Presbytery, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the resolution did not pass because it was premature to discuss separation. “This came from a few members who are trying to begin dialogue for when it will become an issue,” he said.
Rus Howard, pastor of Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, introduced the motion calling for the presbytery’s vote on gracious separation. His session and congregation reviewed his proposal before he submitted it to the presbytery.
Howard argued that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is theologically divided on key issues of the Reformed faith with little chance of reconciliation.
“Some in our church do not believe in the two most essential tenets of the Reformed faith,” Howard told the presbytery. “Some of our clergy and national leaders reject the unique and exclusive saving lordship of Jesus Christ (as the Way). Furthermore, they rejected the inspiration and authority of scripture as the rule and standard for all faith and faithfulness.”
Howard also pointed out that many Presbyterian leaders are defying the PCUSA and breaking the “mutual covenant which binds us together … The defiance of individuals, clergy, sessions, presbyteries and PJCs and our national leaders is well documented.”
But clergy and congregations who are concerned about the denomination choose not to leave because, by doing so, they would be stripped of their ordination and lose their property.
“Because we disagree on essential tenets we will never be able to resolve the issues which divide us,” he said. “We are faced with irreconcilable differences that affect our ministry. Our division is killing the ministry and witness of congregations which affirm the essential tenets of our faith. This division is one reason why we lose 1 member every 13 minutes in the PCUSA.”
“This overture is not over a difference of interpretation of a few passages of scripture,” Howard added. “It is not about ordination standards. This overture is necessary because we are divided over the two essential tenets of the Reformed faith. This overture provides us with a Biblical, loving, and honest response to our problems. It allows us to end our in-fighting while recognizing our differences, respecting each other, and graciously separating.”
Craig Kephart, pastor of Venice Presbyterian Church and chair of the presbytery’s special committee which developed the process for considering the overture, presented a neutral assessment. He cited three points in favor of the overture and three against it.
The pro-gracious separation points were:
- The overture provides for a serious national discussion of the differences dividing the PCUSA during the next two years as the overture is considered.
- The overture is not punitive even in our strained and tensed environment. Furthermore the overture is respectful of the diverse views of clergy and congregations.
- The overture provides for an equitable division of property and financial resources and does not strip anyone of their ordination.
The points against the overture:
- This is not the right time for the PCUSA to either divide or discuss dividing. Despite a gracious intent, the overture forces the church to divide.
- The overture is the hardest upon the middle of the church which is not as strident as either liberals of conservatives.
- The overture places a harsh label on Washington Presbytery.
Twenty minutes was allowed for debate.
- One elder cited “irreconciliable differences” over the authority of Scripture, salvation and homosexual “marriages.”
- Rod Weiss, a pastor who serves as a family and marriage counselor, opposed the proposed overture, saying it did not make a positive witness.
- Tom Clymer, pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, said the division was deep and “being lived out in front of us.” He also quoted Scripture: “Jesus came to his own and his own did not receive him.” However, Clymer also said the timing was not right for the overture.
- Rob Shoup, pastor of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, appealed to Jesus’ teaching and prayer (John 17) about unity.
- Lesley Goodnight, an elder from Laboratory Presbyterian Church, read a statement saying that the elders of that congregation “are proud to be a part of the PCUSA.”
- John Rogers, an elder from Thomas Presbyterian Church and a former member of the General Assembly Council, said his session had voted unanimously against the overture. Rogers said the overture had theological and financial implications.
In his wrapup before the vote, Howard said, “We are voting today to send an overture to GA, not to split the church. This overture will provide for a discussion by the whole church regarding the depth of our differences.”
He cited overtures that will go to the 216th General Assembly in June calling for changing the PCUSA’s constitutional “fidelity/chastity” law that prohibits the ordination of practicing homosexuals and adulterers.
“Every time these overtures come up our congregations lose members, visitors, and our ministry is hurt. Yet, I find it interesting that those who cry foul over today’s overture as being ‘divisive’ don’t mind dividing the church by pushing their agenda upon us again.”
He criticized the denomination’s promotion of “unity in diversity” without it being related to “our unity in the Lordship of Jesus and the authority of Scripture.” Howard compared the situation in the PCUSA with the Episcopal Church USA. “The Episcopalians have tried ‘unity in diversity’ and it has failed them miserably. It is failing us.”
He urged the presbytery to “give this overture a chance and allow us to have a national discussion which focuses our conversation on the depth of our division while respecting others and provides for a gracious solution to our spiritual division.”
The Rev. Robert Campbell, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Washington, Pa., told the Pittsurgh Tribune-Review that he does not support gracious separation. “I think it’s totally ungracious to choose up sides,” he said. “If this passes, it will be disastrous to any new church developments.”