Scripture and conscience
The Presbyterian Layman, February 1, 2001
A Presbyterian elder called us to express his great surprise at what happened at his presbytery when it voted on the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit ministers from conducting same-sex unions.
In a close vote, the presbytery approved the amendment. The elder was surprised by the closeness of the presbytery vote – but he literally was stunned by the way his own congregation’s delegation voted.
The congregation had six votes: three ministers and three elders. One minister and two elders voted in favor of the ban. Two ministers and one elder voted against it.
Yet, the ministers and elders never discussed the proposed amendment at a meeting of the session. They never analyzed the language of the amendment. They never compared it with what the Bible or the denomination’s constitution says about marriage or same-sex relationships. They never tried to reach a common understanding.
Some Presbyterians might applaud this approach, which led to a division within the leadership of a large congregation. They may say it reflects tolerant approval of diverse opinions. They may argue that each commissioner to presbytery has the right to vote his or her own conscience.
But conscience simply as a matter of personal opinion is not Presbyterian – or Biblical. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) commends freedom of conscience, but adds that an elder’s conscience must be captive to the Word of God. The conscience clause is not a license to vote your personal preference if that preference clearly violates Scripture.
The elders and ministers involved in that 3-3 split did not exercise corporate leadership by their votes. They did not demonstrate to the rest of the congregation that they had diligently pursued the mind of Christ. Sadly, they showed that their leadership failed the test of accountability to each other and a common pursuit of truth.
Such divisions should not occur. Meetings of sessions are not intended merely to discuss mundane business. They are also intended to build up the leadership so that it in turn is able to build up the body of Christ.
If your session has not discussed Amendment O, please put it on your docket. And be prepared for that meeting. Read Scripture. Study relevant sections in the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. Seek common ground in the Word of God. And select commissioners to presbytery who recognize that their consciences must be anchored in Scripture.