Assembly defeats attempt to remove ‘fidelity and chastity’
By Robert P. Mills, The Layman Online, June 25, 1999
FORT WORTH – In a process marked by parliamentary wrangling and confusion, the Fort Worth General Assembly voted 319-198-7 not to adopt Overture 99-2 from Milwaukee Presbytery, which would have recommended that the PCUSA’s 173 presbyteries delete G-6.0106b, the so-called “fidelity and chastity” provision from the denomination’s Book of Order.
In place of the Milwaukee overture, the Assembly adopted a minority report that:
- Instructs the Stated Clerk to make available to all presbyteries, sessions, and interested Presbyterian groups resources that assist in the development of conferences and discussions on “The Nature of the Unity We Seek in Our Diversity,” within the Presbyterian polity and theology.
- Declares that Overture 99-2 be answered by the action on this motion; and
- Directs the Stated Clerk to recommend to the 212th General Assembly (2000) that all business related to G-6.0106b be referred to the 213th General Assembly (2001), so that the study and dialogue can be completed.
Moving the reports
Committee moderator Kathrine Runyeon, a minister from Redwoods Presbytery, moved the committee’s recommendation that the assembly ask the presbyteries to delete the provision of the denomination’s ordination standard. Committee member Stephen Moss, a minister from Salem Presbytery, then moved the minority report.
In speaking for the committee’s recommendation Runyeon said, “The committee made a bold move to speak with a prophetic voice,” Runyeon asserted. “We believe it is unjust that [G-6.0106b’s] current wording means excluding persons God has clearly given gifts for ordained ministry.” She told the Assembly that the Youth Advisory Delegates (YADs), who have both voice and vote in GA committees, “were particularly strong in their assertion that they wished to be part of an inclusive community characterized by grace, not by law.”
Moss told commissioners that the minority report “presents you with a simple and clear alternative. We can have the quiet time we need for discussion without the threat of vote, or we can have ongoing, in your face discussion for the next couple years, and ‘in your face’ was what was said in our committee.”
In keeping with Assembly rules, the minority report was considered a substitute motion. Immediately, a commissioner moved to consider both motions perfected.
Again the debate concerning ordination standards was plagued by parliamentary confusion. As commissioners were voting, Moderator Freda Gardner could be heard whispering to Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick “is that what we’re voting on?” Clerk and moderator both apologized for adding to the confusion, saying that what commissioners had just decided was to close debate on whether the motions were perfected.
The motion passed, the moderator prayed, then debate began on whether to substitute the minority report for the committee’s recommendation.
Obedience and justice
The first two speakers effectively summarized all who followed.
Charlotte Haney, YAD from James Presbytery, urged commissioners to adopt the minority report. She told of working with the youth in her church for five years, then not being hired for a youth worker position because her father was the church’s pastor. The session felt that her hiring would be a conflict of interest. “I was devastated,” she told commissioners, sharing her pain at having been denied a position she desired, and for which she was qualified. “But,” she continued, “I realized that I am called to be obedient. I may not like it, but before any call to ministry I am called to be obedient to our Lord.”
Next to speak was Robin White, minister from New Castle Presbytery. “There are some who believe we need a sabbatical.” Then she quoted to commissioners Jesus’ question, “is it lawful to do good or harm on the sabbath?” “There can be no sabbatical as long as some are being denied justice,” White declared.
Sara Simm, YAD from John Knox Presbytery told commissioners that what the church is saying through G-6.0106b “is that sexual behavior outside of marriage is a sin, not a standard for ordination.”
Welcoming the stranger
Alexandra Lusak, minister from West Jersey Presbytery, spoke “for three people in my congregation” who cannot be ordained because their ordination would violate the current ordination standards. West Jersey Presbytery recently took under care as a candidate for the ministry of Word and sacrament an openly gay man who insisted that the PCUSA must change its standards to accommodate his behavior.
Michael Brown, minister from Northern New England Presbytery, began by saying “I speak out of concern for my congregation and my presbytery.” His presbytery has officially informed his congregation that it need not abide by the denomination’s constitution, an action that has resulted in a judicial case being filed against the presbytery. “Only yesterday,” said Brown, “we approved a recommendation dealing with welcoming the stranger [the policy guide Building Community Among Strangers], with specific reference to those of different sexual orientations. … I think this can only be enhanced by removing G6.0106b.”
Douglas Baird, elder from Western North Carolina Presbytery announced that “If presented with a candidate for ordination who would not qualify under the provisions of the Book of Order, I personally would take the risk of condemnation and vote to approve his ordination and installation rather than risk the possibility of excluding someone who is indeed called to office in our church.”
Tylenol time
Donald Mitchel, elder from Huntingdon Presbytery told commissioners, “It’s Tylenol time. The church has a headache. Headaches reduce our ability to effectively serve Christ. … Taking 99-2 on a roadshow to 173 presbyteries will only prolong the pain.”
Jimmy Lancaster, minister from Arkansas presbytery, phrased his comments in the form of a poem which read in part, “Jesus ate with sinners on the floor, but he also told them to go and sin no more.”
Former General Assembly moderator and longtime COCU proponent Dorothy Barnard asked to read a statement issued by the Covenant Network. Commissioners voted against allowing her to do so.
Summary statements and votes
Summarizing his case for the minority report, Moss said “When we walk on holy ground, we need to be very humble. We need to take off our shoes and listen to the word of God.”
Urging commissioners to ask the presbyteries to delete G-6.0106b, Runyeon passionately echoed the pro-gay-ordination theme, “Justice delayed is justice denied. … The heart of the gospel is Christ’s call to follow him. Let us remove constitutional restrictions that makes it impossible for certain persons to follow Christ’s call to ordained service. … Let us live by grace, not law, removing this section of the constitution and allowing us to ordain all with gifts for ministry.”
The moderator then called for a time of silent prayer. Following the prayer, commissioners voted 293-243-2 to adopt the minority report as the main motion. Then they approved 319-198-7.
Evangelical concerns
While evangelical leaders expressed delight at the Assembly’s decision to leave G-6.0106b intact, they were also concerned about the two-year period for study and dialogue, fearing that the Covenant Network and its allies will use this “sabbatical” to continue to pursue various judicial processes in an effort to gain through the back door what neither this Assembly nor two presbytery votes would give them – overturning G-6.0106b.