Anti-ordination standard groups merge to boost voice
The Presbyterian Layman, January 5, 1999
Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns and the More Light Network, two organizations most zealous for ordination of gays and lesbians in the Presbyterian Church (USA), have merged into the More Light Presbyterians.
A news release posted on the new organization’s web site says the merger “symbolizes the joining of two powerful witnesses of God’s inclusive love. Moreover, it broadens the impact of our mission, increases our voice inside the Presbyterian Church, and represents a more effective stewardship of our resources.”
Continued defiance
The news release emphasized that the More Light Presbyterians will continue to encourage congregations and presbyteries to defy the constitutional standard that requires fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness for elders, deacons and ministers in the PCUSA.
“Together we can transform the hearts and minds of Presbyterians across this denomination, presbytery by presbytery and congregation by congregation,” the release said. “It is vital that we redouble our efforts to demonstrate the strength of God’s inclusive love through our faith and actions.”
The news release said More Light Churches will ask members to approve a mission statement that calls for:
· Expanding the number of MLP chapters and congregations
· Leadership training
· Strategic leadership for MLP’s interaction with governing bodies, agencies, and leaders of the PC(USA)
· Collaboration with other organizations that support the mission of MLP
· Grassroots organizing in areas of the country where PLGC and MLCN historically have had little presence.
Two national votes
Through its 173 presbyteries, the PCUSA has already held two national votes that affirmed its historic standard against ordination of people who are sexually active outside the bonds of marriage. The 1997 vote inserted the “fidelity/chastity” clause in the PCUSA Constitution. The second referendum, completed in 1998, defeated by two-to-one an alternative constitutional amendment which would not have specifically prohibited the ordination of candidates who were sexually active outside marriage.
More Light Churches is one of a number of groups opposing the ordination standard. Others include Covenant Network, Hesed, Voices of Sophia and the National Network of Presbyterian College Women.
Since the referendums in 1997 and 1998, a number of church cases has arisen – some as a result of action to uphold the Constitution and others to defy it. The Covenant Network and First Presbyterian Church of New York City have published a log of the cases at a web site named PresbyCall. So far, 19 cases have been initiated, including six in Florida.