Vote total on Amendment 10-A now at 67-47
March 14, 2011
The vote total on Amendment 10-A which would remove the requirement of “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness” from the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s ordination standard now stands at 67 (in favor) and 47 (against).
If the amendment is approved by a majority (87) of PCUSA presbyteries the ordination standard would be re-worded to read:
“Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”
The latest presbytery votes reported include:
- Abingdon, No (26-34)
- Cascades, Yes (106-39)
- Gran Canyon, Yes (84-53)
- Muskingum Valley, No (44-58)
- Noroeste, No
The last time PCUSA presbyteries voted on the issue was in 2008-09 when a similar amendment was defeated by a vote of 95-78.
In the current vote, 13 presbyteries have switched their vote from being in support of “fidelity in marriage, chastity in singleness” standard in the 2008-2009 vote, to now being in support of changing the ordination standard. They include Blackhawk, Central Nebraska, Cincinnati, Eastern Oklahoma, Eastern Virginia, Indian Nations, Mission, North Alabama, Riverside, Sacramento, Savannah, South Alabama and St. Augustine presbyteries.
Lake Huron Presbytery is the only one to switch from voting yes to no.
The PCUSA’s ordination standard currently reads:
“Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”
Presbyteries are also voting on other amendments including replacing the current Form of Government (FOG) found in the PCUSA’s constitution with a new version, and including the Belhar Confession in the denomination’s Book of Confessions. Those votes, as of March 14, are: