Prospect Hill calls for moratorium
on ordination standard changes
The Layman, December 18, 2009
Prospect Hill Presbytery has overtured the 219th General Assembly to place a moratorium, until 2012, on motions and overtures to change, alter or remove the current ordination standards for the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Related Resources
A preview of the 2010
PCUSA General Assembly
The 218th General Assembly approved an amendment that would have reworded G-6.0106b in the PCUSA Book of Order, but the change was rejected by a majority of the denomination’s presbyteries in a close referendum. The amendment would have removed the requirement that ordained officers within the denomination be faithful in marriage between one man and one woman or chaste in singleness.
Additional overtures that will come before the GA and its various committees July 3-10, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minn., will include:
- The Presbytery of Pittsburgh’s call for a strengthening of the Peacemaking Program, an effort that would include task forces and advisory panels that would review the 30-year-old “Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling” program; prepare a resolution for GA 220; have quarterly meetings to advise on emerging issues; and review peace studies and opportunities at seminaries and colleges.
- The Presbytery of Upper Ohio Valley’s request to designate May 1 as an annual day of prayer where local churches and communities can gather to pray for the discovery of ever more effective means of treatment. In its rationale, the overture specifically targets cancer.
- Four more presbyteries have concurred with San Diego’s overture to roll back action on the 2008 General Assembly vote that undermined the enforcement of the denomination’s sexual behavior standards. If approved, the San Diego overture would restore the Authoritative Interpretations of 1978 and 1979, and all other subsequent affirmations. The newest presbyteries to sign on include Mid-South, Redstone, Tropical Florida and Upper Ohio Valley.