Boston overture would change
PCUSA definition of marriage
The Layman , February 8, 2010
Citing the conflict created by Massachusetts’ same-sex marriage laws and the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s prohibitions against such unions, Boston Presbytery has called on the 219th General Assembly to amend its constitution to “foster greater inclusiveness.”
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Replacing all references to “marriage between a man and woman” with “two people” or “couple,” the overture would add the inclusive language to the Book of Order’s Directory for Worship and Rules of Discipline.
“In a state where same-gender marriage is recognized under the law, it is pastorally unconscionable to apply exclusionary principles to certain members of the congregation by declining to perform their marriage,” the overture’s rationale states. “In practical terms, what this means is that pastors in those congregations have to make the choice between failing in their pastoral responsibilities and running the risk of prosecution by the church. Such prosecutions have placed a formidable financial and spiritual burden on presbyteries already, threatening the peace and unity of the church.”
The overture also argues the responsibility to uphold the state’s parameters for marriage: “The state determines who is eligible to be married in broad categories, while the church has always maintained the right to determine the wisdom of a particular marriage (W-4.9002b). It would break a tradition of nearly five hundred years if the church would at this time decide to recognize some, but not all, marriages sanctioned by the state. The church would effectively deny the state’s right to set those legal parameters.”
Though it seeks to end the conflict that pastors face when performing such unions in a state where it’s legal, it does not include provisions for those pastors who might object to performing a same-sex union or marriage.
In its rationale, Boston also concurs with the Presbytery of Baltimore’s overture calling for a similar amendment. If approved at the GA level, the amendments would require approval by a majority of the PCUSA’s 173 presbyteries.
Overture would reword G-6.0106b
Adding another to the growing list of overtures seeking to delete or modify the fidelity-chastity standard for ordination in the Book of Order, Western Reserve Presbytery has proposed an amendment that would replace the current text of G-6.0106b with the following:
“Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”
Western Reserve rationale includes an affirmation of the Theological Declaration of Barmen and the claim that G-6.0106b is used only to exclude gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.