Five votes needed to change
PCUSA’s ordination standard
The Layman, April 27, 2011
Voting on Amendment 10-A resumed Tuesday following a break in presbytery meetings for Easter, with two presbyteries voting in favor of the measure.
If approved by a majority of Presbyterian Church (USA) presbyteries, Amendment 10-A would change the explicit requirements of PCUSA’s ordination standard found in G-6.0106b in the Book of Order.
Advocates of the amendment assert that the change would allow for the ordination of self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons as well as non-celibate heterosexual people as ministers, elders and deacons in the PCUSA. Others argue that although changing the language removes the explicit requirement from one sentence of the denomination’s constitution, ordination would still necessarily be limited to those living within the Biblical and confessional standards which include explicit references to fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.
Proposed G-6.0106b
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.
Current G-6.0106b
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
It is clear that under the proposed language of Amendment 10A the PCUSA would cease to have national standards and would instead honor the local discretion of each ordaining body.
Florida Presbytery, who in past referendums had voted against any changes to the fidelity/chastity ordination standard, voted this year to change the standard: 49 in favor, 36 against.
Lehigh Presbytery also voted on Tuesday to support changing the ordination standard, 68-48.
The national vote total is now 82-60 in favor of the change. A simple majority of the PCUSA’s 173 presbyteries is needed to approve the amendment. Currently, supporters need five votes to achieve their goal.
Florida Presbytery was the 17th presbytery to switch its support from the Biblical standard to what progressive advocates call fully inclusive standards. Other presbyteries that have switched their support include Blackhawk, Central Nebraska, Cincinnati, Donegal, Eastern Oklahoma, Eastern Virginia, Indian Nations, Mission, North Alabama, Riverside, Sacramento, Savannah, San Francisco, South Alabama, South Louisiana and St. Augustine.
deCristo, Lake Huron and Minnesota Valley presbyteries are the only ones to switch from voting yes to no in this voting cycle.
If approved, the amendment would become effective on July 10, 2011.