Support for ordination standard continues strong
The Layman Online, January 9, 2002
The vote in favor of retaining the “fidelity/chastity” standard in the Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to roll up impressive victories in presbyteries across the nation and Puerto Rico.
After three presbyteries reported their votes Jan. 8 on Amendment 01-A, the tally was 37 presbyteries against changing the constitutional standard and nine in favor of declaring that adultery and homosexual activity are not sinful.
In 1996, when the presbyteries voted on what was then known as Amendment B, which became G-6.0106b in the Book of Order, those same presbyteries had voted 30-16 in favor of the standard. So far during this referendum, seven of the 16 presbyteries (43.8 percent) that previously voted against the ordination standard now support it. None of the presbyteries that voted in favor of the standard in 1996 has changed.
The votes on Jan.8 were:
- San Francisco, 216-184 (54 percent) in favor of Amendment 01-A, a surprisingly close margin on one of the denomination’s most liberal presbyteries.
- Chicago, 247-170 (59.2 percent) in favor of Amendment 01-A. In 1996, the Chicago presbytery voted 64 percent against the ordination standard.
- Eastminster, 54-65 (54.6 percent) against Amendment 01-A. This was a substantial change. In 1996, Eastminster commissioners voted 62.4 percent against the standard.
Across the board, in both liberal and conservative presbyteries, the votes reflect a growing commitment by elders and ministers to the denomination’s standard.