Presbyterian Coalition issues statement on the defeat of Amendment A
February 21, 2002
Yesterday, with 127 of 173 presbyteries reporting, the Presbyterian Church (USA) reaffirmed Biblical standards of sexual morality for its ordained leaders by defeating an amendment to the constitution that would have removed those standards.
Last June’s national General Assembly sent to the 173 local presbyteries for their vote a proposed amendment to the constitution that would have removed the requirement for ordained leaders to “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.” By yesterday, a majority of the church’s presbyteries had rejected that amendment and, instead, left in place the constitutional standards of Biblical morality.
Homosexual advocacy groups have been pressing this denomination with legislative initiatives since 1978 to reject Biblical standards for sexual expression that have been held by the Christian Church throughout its history. The Presbyterian Church has met each challenge by reaffirming that God’s will is for sexual relations to be expressed only within marriage. Each time that the church has reaffirmed its position, it has done so by increasingly wider voting margins. By the time the final vote is case in April of this year, the margin may be as great as 2-1.
The increasingly wide margins demonstrate the will of the church to stand its ground in this matter and may also suggest a desire to move on toward other matters. The Church has made its decision and reaffirmed it. Again.
This legislative season in the Church has been difficult. We encourage those who rejoice at the Church’s decision to temper their joy knowing the pain of their colleagues in ministry, and those who are pained by the decision, seek to find wisdom in the decision of the Church.
Our hopes for the church and our trust in the Savior needs once again to grow in us, move us and move us together. The Presbyterian Coalition humbly submits that now is a good time for us to attend to other matters, together which will bring glory to God.
From
Rev. Thomas P. Sweets
Presbyterian Coalition Campaign Organizer to Defeat Amendment 01.A
Senior Pastor Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church
Cincinnati, Ohio