47 congregations now endorse ‘A Call to Constitutional Integrity’
The Layman Online, December 20, 2002
There now are 47 congregations in 18 states that are proclaiming “a constitutional crisis” in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and calling on church leaders to uphold the denomination’s constitution and to exercise the Rules of Discipline against those who defy it.
There also is a parallel effort by hundreds of Presbyterians across the country who are calling on Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick “to do your duty” and “preserve and defend” the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The latest congregations to proclaim the present time “a season of unrest and open defiance of church discipline” include Locust Presbyterian Church in Locust, N.C., and First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, Miss. They join:
Alaska: Haines Presbyterian Church in Haines.
California: Michillinda Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Arcadia Presbyterian Church in Arcadia, First Presbyterian Church in Salinas, First Presbyterian Church in Colusa and Dinuba Presbyterian Church in Dinuba.
Georgia: Bethany Presbyterian Church in Covington.
Illinois: First Presbyterian Church in Elmwood, Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Sparta and Warren Park Presbyterian Church in Cicero.
Indiana: First Presbyterian Church in Winona Lake.
Iowa: Burt Presbyterian Church in Burt, First Presbyterian Church in Conrad, First Presbyterian Church in Ashton, First Presbyterian Church in Lakota and Zoar Presbyterian Church in George.
Kansas: Zenith Presbyterian Church in Stafford.
Louisiana: Canal Street Presbyterian Church in New Orleans
Minnesota: First Presbyterian Church in Mora.
Mississippi: Ackerman Presbyterian Church in Ackerman.
Missouri: St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Kansas City and Tarkio Presbyterian Church in Tarkio.
Nebraska: Covenant Presbyterian Church in Omaha.
North Carolina: Brittains Cove Presbyterian Church in Weaverville, Rourk Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe, Windermere Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and McLean Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe.
Ohio: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Canton and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisville.
Pennsylvania: Burgettstown Presbyterian Church in Burgettstown, First Presbyterian Church in Parker, Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church in Pottsgrove, West Grove Presbyterian Church in West Grove, Center Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Knoxville United Church in Pittsburgh, First Presbyterian Church in Levittown, Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church in East Stroudsburg, Shiloh Presbyterian Church in St. Marys and United Presbyterian Church of Manoa in Havertown.
Texas: First Presbyterian Church in Rusk.
Virginia: Blackstone Presbyterian Church in Blackstone, Aberdour Presbyterian Church in Jarratt and First Presbyterian Church in Emporia.
West Virginia: First Presbyterian Church in Chester and Third Presbyterian Church in Wheeling.
The resolutions approved by all the church sessions are similar to resolutions for “A Call for Constitutional Integrity” previously approved by the Presbyterian Lay Committee and the Presbyterian Coalition. The resolutions refer to a growing number of individuals, churches and some presbyteries that publicly are defying the constitutional standards regarding ordination standards, same-sex marriages, open communion, including prayers and teachings from other religions in worship services and other issues.
Public declarations of defiance have increased since the 214th General Assembly met in June, with defiant Presbyterians saying they have a right to violate the denomination’s constitution. The language of defiance has become bolder, with unbending assertions that breaking church law is protected by one’s conscience and that the law – though anchored in Scripture and the church’s confessions – is immoral.
Some of the declarations of defiance have led to charges being filed in church courts. But, so far, none of the courts has issued a ruling that affirms the constitutional standard.
The constitutional crisis rose to greater intensity with the news that Baltimore Presbytery has proposed not enforcing the constitution if it is presented with either disciplinary or remedial cases involving the denomination’s ordination standards. In its proposal, the Baltimore Presbytery also would instruct its sessions not to entertain such cases.
Many evangelicals are declaring that there is a “constitutional crisis” because local church sessions and presbyteries – the ordaining bodies in the PCUSA – are either ignoring the constitution or flagrantly violating its requirements.
Despite all the reports to the contrary, Kirkpatrick claims there is no constitutional crisis. Kirkpatrick, whose job is “to preserve and defend the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)” (G-11.0112e), repeatedly has said that it is not his job to enforce the constitution, but he also has said ministers and elders have no right to defy the requirements of G-6.0106b.