Presbytery wants several votes by GA on PUP report
The Layman Online, March 20, 2006
The Presbytery of the James in Virginia has added another overture to the growing number of proposals on the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity to the 217th General Assembly.
By a voice vote, the presbytery approved an overture calling on the General Assembly to vote on the task force’s report and recommendations ad seriatim – one at a time.
While the overture does not condemn the task force report, it does express concerns about some of its recommendations, including a proposed authoritative interpretation that would allow ordaining bodies to decide on their own whether to approve a practicing homosexual as a deacon, elder or minister.
The overture says Recommendation 5 “in particular would enact far-reaching change, perhaps even equivalent to constitutional amendment, by means of Authoritative Interpretation on the part of the General Assembly” (G-13.0103r).
Further, it noted that “the process of Authoritative Interpretation would not allow any debate or input on the part of the several presbyteries of the church” and the absence of debate and input from presbyteries “would necessarily forfeit the consideration and wisdom of those presbyteries.”
That process, the overture says, “would run the risk of damaging the very peace, unity, and purity of the church it intends to promote.”
The full text of the overture:
POJ Overture 06-01- On taking up the report of the Task Force of the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church –From the Session of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond.
The Presbytery of the James humbly overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to take up the report and recommendations of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church ad seriatim.
Rationale
1. We are grateful for all that is good and faithful in “A Season of Discernment: The Final Report of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church to the 217th General Assembly (2006)”.
2. The said report and recommendations urge us all to strive for the peace, unity, and purity of the church.
3. Recommendation 5 in particular would enact far reaching change, perhaps even equivalent to constitutional amendment, by means of Authoritative Interpretation on the part of the General Assembly (G-13.0103r).
4. The process of Authoritative Interpretation would not allow any debate or input on the part of the several presbyteries of the church.
5. Such absence of any debate or input on the part of the presbyteries would necessarily forfeit the consideration and wisdom of those presbyteries.
6. Such process on the part of the General Assembly would run the risk of damaging the very peace, unity, and purity of the church it intends to promote.
7. The peace, unity, and purity of the church would be served best by the fullest possible debate, discussion, and consideration on the part of those making the decision.
8. The Book of Order gives to each presbytery the responsibility “to maintain regular and continuing relationship to the higher governing bodies of the church, including … proposing to the synod or General Assembly such measures as may be of common concern to the mission of the whole church (G-11.0103t).