8th presbytery approves overture seeking to delete G-6.0106b, authoritative interpretation
The Layman Online, September 30, 2005
An eighth presbytery has approved an overture to the General Assembly in an effort to overturn the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s ordination standards and rescind its “authoritative interpretation” regarding homosexual behavior.
The Presbytery of Genesee Valley on Sept. 27 voted 77-22 to send the overture to next year’s General Assembly, according to a report on the Web site of More Light Presbyterians.
It was the third overture on the issue to be approved since the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity released its report Aug. 25 recommending, among other things, that no further actions dealing with matters of ordination be taken.
The other presbyteries, the vote and the date their overtures were approved are:
- The Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky, 88-36, on Sept. 17.
- The Presbytery of the Twin Cities, 101-39, on Sept. 13.
- The Presbytery of Des Moines, 42-34-2, on Aug. 20.
- The Presbytery of Detroit, 120-77, on June 28.
- The Presbytery of the Cascades, 92-61, on June 25.
- The Presbytery of Western Reserve, 64-39-4 by secret ballot, on May 23.
- Heartland Presbytery, 109-92, on April 19.
The overtures, similar to one defeated in 2004, will go to the 217th General Assembly, which will meet in Birmingham on June 15-22, 2006. The overtures, promoted by More Light Presbyterians and other gay activist groups, ask commissioners to:
- “1. Provide the following authoritative interpretation: Interpretative statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.
- 2. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes: Shall G-6.0106b be stricken?”
The Authoritative Interpretation is a thorough assessment of what the Bible teaches about homosexual behavior. It unequivocally says that homosexual behavior is contrary to the will of God and that self-acknowledged, practicing homosexuals could not be ordained.
G-6.0106b is the Book of Order requirement that says candidates for deacon, elder and minister must demonstrate either fidelity within the marriage of a man and a woman or chastity in singleness to be eligible to serve as officers. The action, if approved by the General Assembly, would nullify the 1978 and 1979 Authoritative Interpretations – first adopted by the United Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church U.S. and later affirmed by the Presbyterian Church (USA) – and reaffirmed by later assemblies and court decisions after those predecessor denominations reunited in 1983.
In its rationale, the overture approved by the Presbytery of Genesee Valley states: “G-6.0106 b of the Book of Order violates our great theological and constitutional tradition of hospitality and compassion. Jesus gave us this commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The Apostle Paul, addressing some of the major divisions of his day, said: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
“The recent Confessions affirm these commandments. “Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize their fellowmen, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess.” (Confession of 1967 – 9.44). “In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.” (1983 Brief Statement of Faith – 10.3).
“The Confessions describe the basic principles of our Reformed faith (Book of Order G-2.0500). G-6.0106 b is blatantly inconsistent with the Confessions because it violates the overarching principle proclaimed in the recent Confessions – namely the equality of all people – and reinstates lists of sins and categories of ‘second class citizens’ which have long since been placed in historical context by the more recent Confessions. The Larger Catechism alone describes 153 sins. Interpreted literally, a law which bars ordination based on any of these sins would make most church members ineligible for ordination.
“The standards set forth in G-6.0106 a have served us well for many years and provide that candidates for ordination should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship and love of Jesus Christ. “Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the Church and in the world.”
“G-6.0106 b subverts the welcoming essence of our faith. It creates absolute, categorical exclusions and disregards important facts in specific cases. It excludes entire categories of people regardless of their character and qualifications. It attempts to make this exclusion absolute, as if it were an essential tenet, which it is not. It ignores freedom of conscience, one of the Historic Principles of Church Order (G-1.0301 (1) (a). It undermines the authority and responsibility of ordaining bodies to examine, ordain and welcome those persons whom they deem qualified for ordained office in our church. It contradicts provisions in the Book of Order which mandate an inclusive church (G-3.0401; G-4.0403; G-5.0103 and G-5.0202). Finally, it is in conflict with the recent Confessions.
“It is not possible to accept a broad, punitive meaning to G-6.0106 b, and, at the same time, implement the clear Commandments of Jesus and the provisions in our Constitution which require equality and inclusion. Failure to honor these Commandments and constitutional provisions ‘constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel’ (G-5.0103).
“G-6.0106 b of the Book of Order and the related Authoritative Interpretations concerning ordained service are all theologically and constitutionally flawed and must be eliminated.”