Assembly approves resources for gay-lesbian ministries
By Paul Rolf Jensen, The Layman Online, June 29, 2000
LONG BEACH, Calif. — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted Thursday to spend $124,000 to develop and publish curriculum intended to “elicit stories that will identify ministries … that have been effective in reaching gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of their communities … and approaches of pastoral care that are sensitive to the particular needs” of those people.
The Presbytery of San Francisco had sent an overture asking first for a survey, and then based on information gathered and in consultation with homosexual members of the PCUSA, to create a resource to be sent to all Presbyterian congregations for their ministry to homosexuals.
However, the Assembly Committee on Christian Education and Publishing voted to approve the overture with an amendment clarifying that the “consultation” be not only with “gay, lesbian and transgender members,” but also with “former gay, lesbian and bisexual members.”
The committee-approved amendment said the materials should be “in conformity with recognized professional standards.” A proposed amendment before the entire General Assembly would have substituted “constitutional standards” for professional standards. It was defeated. The constitution includes the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions.
The commissioners did approve an amendment directing that the authors of the material “consult with” — rather than “conform to” — Scripture and the confessions of the denomination. Also, the Assembly voted to limit the distribution of the new materials to those who request them, instead of sending them to all congregations.
There was much debate over whether one can be a “former” homosexual. Some speakers suggested that while some people so identify themselves, there is no need for a curriculum directed toward them.
One commissioner said suicide was the leading cause of death among homosexual, transgender and transsexual people. Others recalled testimony in the committee from three persons who said they had overcome homosexuality, and that their struggle would have been aided by materials directed toward persons seeking to be delivered from homosexuality.
Commissioner David H. Bower of West Virginia Presbytery pointed out that formerly gay persons are a constituency of our church and deserve to be considered by a denomination that seeks to be “inclusive.” In response to the claim that no one can “change sexual orientation,” Bower said that with God all things are possible.