Amendment 10A voting approaches
century mark as 94 presbyteries say yes
The Layman, May 24, 2011
Following the unprecedented change to ordination standards on May 10, presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) continue to vote on the issue as well as two other closely watched ballot measures.
Among four presbyteries which recently voted, Amendment 10A recorded a net tie vote with two approving the measure – which will allow for the ordination of non-celibate single heterosexuals, those who commit adultery, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals to positions as deacons, elders and ministers in PCUSA churches – and two presbyteries rejecting it within the past week.
Homestead Presbytery of Lincoln, Neb. supported the amendment 46-26 as did Sheppards and Lapsley Presbytery of Birmingham, Ala., 80-52.
Los Ranchos Presbytery of Anaheim, Calif. roundly rejected the amendment 51-131 and Shenango Presbytery of Pulaski, Pa. also nixed 10A with a negative voice vote.
Twin Cities and Pacific presbyteries voted in favor of the amendment on May 10, pushing the affirmative vote one over the 87 needed for ratification. The voting now stands at 94-70 as of May 23.
The changes to the G-6.0106b of the Book of Order and will take effect on July 11.
Following passage of 10A, the standard reads:
“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.”
Before the passage of 10A, G-6.0106b read as follows:
“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.”
New Form of Government (nFOG)
Two “yes” votes and one “no” broke a 76-76 tie in voting for the New Form of Government initiative.
Critics contend that nFOG will change the basic structure of the PCUSA and make the denomination more hierarchical.
The language of the proposal reads:
“Shall the Book of Order be amended by striking out the text of Chapters I–XVIII of the current Form of Government (G-1.0000–G-18.0401) and inserting two documents, Foundations of Presbyterian Polity and a new Form of Government?”
Los Ranchos voted down nFOG by a narrow margin of 66-52. Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery of St. Louis, Mo. approved it 66-52 and Northern New York Presbytery also gave nFOG a vocal thumbs up with a “yes” voice vote.
Voting for nFOG stands at 78-77 as of May 23.
The proposal, which was approved by a 468-204 vote by the 219th General Assembly, requires approval from a majority of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 173 presbyteries.
Belhar Confession
Like nFog voting trends of late, passage of the Belhar Confession took a step closer to passage after two presbyteries gave the thumbs up last week while another voted it down.
As with 10A, Los Ranchos gave Belhar a resounding negative vote at 63-136.
On May 17, Scioto Valley of Columbus, Ohio approved Belhar by a standing affirmative vote.
Almost mirroring its nFOG vote, Giddings-Lovejoy affirmed Belhar, 64-51.
The vote now stands at 80-48.
The proposal to amend The Book of Confessions requires approval from two-thirds of the PCUSA’s 173 presbyteries. If approved at the presbytery level, Belhar must be approved by a majority of the GA a second time for ratification.
The language of the proposal reads:
On Amending The Book of Confessions (Item 16-12):
The 219th General Assembly (2010) directed the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
Shall The Book of Confessions be amended by adding the Confession of Belhar following A Brief Statement of Faith – Presbyterian Church (USA) and its accompanying documents? The “Accompanying Letter” and Scriptural references to the confession should be printed with it without confessional status if this proposal is adopted.