Congregation mixed on newly-elected gay deacon
By Edward Terry, The Layman, April 17, 2009
The Rev. Steve Hancock of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Ark., doesn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about the election of Michael Upson, an openly gay man, as a deacon. The 1,700-member congregation, the largest in the Arkansas Presbytery, has members on both sides of the contentious issue.
“Some are pleased because they feel the fact that Michael is gay affirms inclusiveness,” Hancock said. “Some are pleased because they know Michael and his service and feel he is deserving of election. Some feel that the election is consistent historically with instances where Second Church or its pastors have sought to be faithful even when such actions are not without controversy.”
On the other hand, “Some are upset and very bothered, not by the person, but about his sexual orientation in light of the continuing discussion with our denomination. Some are uneasy about the election of someone who is gay, whether or not they voted in favor of the election of Michael Upson,” Hancock said.
But the action doesn’t change anything for the church, Hancock said.
“The heritage and hallmark of Second Church is that we find diverse opinions to be a strength, and we work to model a congregation where differing views are welcome and appreciated,” he said. “We believe such a model is consistent with what the Body of Christ best represents as we all struggle to be faithful to Jesus Christ.”
Upson was confirmed as a deacon at Second Presbyterian on March 22 by a 21-4 vote of the session. A month earlier the congregation, by voice vote, had approved his nomination. The Feb. 22 vote had only a smattering of “no’s” and was followed by some applause, according to an article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hancock said the nominating committee was acting on its regular schedule and not in response to the previous day’s vote by the Presbytery of Arkansas to support Amendment 08-B, which would do away with the fidelity/chastity requirement in The Book of Order.
Upson probably would have been considered in past years due to his active presence in the church if not for the existing ordination standards, according to a letter from the nominating committee to the Second Presbyterian congregation.
“This year, due to the action of the General Assembly at its last meeting, the Nominating Committee considered the fact that the way was clear from a polity standpoint for his nomination to be considered,” Hancock said. “The Nominating Committee was not seeking out someone to nominate because of sexual orientation and was not seeking to make some statement or garner attention. The Committee simply was faced with the name of someone serving the congregation in various ways and considered that particular person as a possible nominee.”
In a letter to the congregation, Hancock assured members he does not believe that the vote to nominate Upson was a way of “making a statement.” In the same letter, he said that he did not feel the vote violates PCUSA polity.
“Second Church realizes that faithful people differ strongly on the issue,” Hancock said to The Layman. “Some at Second Church feel Michael’s election was an affirmation of the faith of the Church. Others feel his election was not consistent with the faith of the Church.”
At least one member of the congregation has pledged to significantly cut his financial support, but refuses to leave the congregation. One family has informed the church that it plans to leave due to Upson’s election. Hancock said several other families have expressed concern, as well, but there has been “no noticeable difference” in attendance. The church has received 13 new members since Upson’s election, Hancock said.
“It is painful for me personally as well as the congregation to lose any member,” he said. “The participation of these families is important to our life together and I hope that they will continue to be a part of Second Church.”
In his pastoral letter, Hancock pointed to the way the Feb. 22 vote was taken as a source of ire. “I wish we had voted by ballot. We were planning for it to happen that way, and prepared for it to happen that way. It didn’t, and I take responsibility for that,” Hancock said in the letter. He also said that having a written ballot would not have changed the outcome, in his opinion.
In closing the pastoral letter, Hancock asked members in support of Upson’s election to reach out to those who were in the minority. He also encouraged those on both sides to meet with him to discuss concerns or joys, and answer questions.
The issue received statewide attention in late February, including letters to the editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette supporting both sides. Upson declined to comment on his election, the proposed amendment to The Book of Order or the attention the issues has attracted. Second Presbyterian member Greg Adams, with Central Arkansas More Light Presbyterians Chapter, a group that supports Amendment 08-B, also would not comment.
Even though it’s not a member of any of the special interest organizations that have lobbied for gay ordination, Second Presbyterian is listed on the More Light Presbyterians’ Web site as a congregation that welcomes LGBTs (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender). That statement of welcome is located on Second Presbyterian’s home page under “About Us.”
The church also has the “Seeking More Light Class,” which has the stated goal of inclusion for differing opinions, backgrounds and sexual orientations. Adams is listed on the church’s Web site as the class coordinator.
In addition to having higher than average attendance, according to stats found on the PCUSA Web site, Second Presbyterian has seen positive gain-loss numbers from 1997 to 2007. Other than a mass exodus of nearly 200 members in 2000, the church has seen mostly steady gains in membership and worship attendance, as well as financial contributions.
The 12-member nominating committee informed the congregation of the planned Feb. 22 vote with a letter. In it Upson was described as an “active member of Second Church for eight years.” Among his activities and responsibilities, according to the letter, are serving as director of the Elementary Church School and Vacation Bible School; a member of the Exultation Ringers; a teacher in the former FAME program; a lay leader/presenter; and coordinator of the acolyte program.
The church’s annual officer appreciation dinner, which honors incoming and outgoing officers, is scheduled for April 21, according to its Web site.