A look at religious denominations’ official stances on gay marriage
B y Michael O’Connor, Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska). The doors of Discovery Presbyterian Church will swing open to same-sex couples wanting to walk down the aisle if the U.S. Supreme Court makes same-sex marriage legal across the country. But that won’t be the case at all Omaha Presbyterian churches. That’s just one example of the patchwork…
Standing firm while the sand shifts on same-sex marriage
On Saturday, June 20, the constitutional language of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will officially change allowing for same-sex marriages to be performed by PCUSA ministers in PCUSA churches. The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to issue its ruling on the matter this month as well. “Where do you stand on same-sex marriage?”…
Tony Campolo and David Neff: From Evangelical Left to Post Evangelical?
By Mark Tooley, The Steam. Can Evangelicals who are liberal politically continue to affirm orthodox Christian teaching about marriage and sex? Likely the tension will increase as two prominent voices, one a longtime social justice activist, the other a former Christianity Today editor, announced their affirmation of same sex couples. “I am finally ready to call for…
Church divided by change in gay marriage doctrine
By Page Graham, the Rivard Report. Since its inception by the Puritans, what is now known as the Presbyterian Church (USA) has usually found itself to be a sacred house divided, and events in San Antonio only perpetuate that divide. In the 19th century, the Church was torn in two by the issue of slavery. In recent years,…
UMC Connectional Table proposes dramatic change
By Walter Fenton, Good News. The Connectional Table voted 26 to 10 (there was one abstention) to forward a petition to General Conference 2016 that would dramatically change The United Methodist Church’s teachings on same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy. The proposal, called a “A Third Way,” would change the definition of…
Marriage and the Supreme Court: A call to prayer
By Russell Moore, Moore to the Point. The Supreme Court will soon decide whether states can legally choose to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It is a watershed moment in our nation’s history. As an organization, we have filed briefs with the court, argued in public and in private…
5 actions churches should take in a changing legal culture
By Christiana Holcomb, The Gospel Coalition. More than 35 states now issue same-sex marriage licenses. An increasing number of scholars and judges insist that the First Amendment only protects the freedom to believe—not the freedom to live out those beliefs. At least one state now compels employers to provide insurance coverage for elective abortions. Many cities…
PCUSA vote on same-sex marraige fails to heal rift
By Elizabeth Eisenstadt-Evans, Lancaster Online. Last week the Donegal Presbytery made history when it became one of the last judicatories to ratify a constitutional change expanding the church’s definition of marriage to include same-sex couples. The denomination’s governing body, the General Assembly, had voted to change the language in the Book of Order and allow clergy to perform gay…
FAQ: What do we do now that same-sex marriage is permissible in the PCUSA? How do we exercise the freedom of conscience at our church?
Almost immediately after the 86th affirmative vote was cast and the language related to marriage was formally amended in the Book of Order the phone started ringing. I have now heard from more than a dozen pastors who received reassuring calls from presbytery representatives saying essentially, “Don’t worry, we know you don’t believe in same-sex…