Advisory Opinions: Note 17
Schism

Throughout Presbyterian history, one action or another of a governing body of the church has resulted in small pockets of great dissatisfaction among some Presbyterians. Dissatisfaction is present in our current period of history to the extent that some members, apparently feeling helpless and estranged, are seriously considering leaving our communion.

In this context, the Office of the General Assembly reminds the church that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) strives to be a community of faith modeled on the body of Christ that is so well articulated in 1 Corinthians 12. Our Book of Order describes it as a church made up of many different parts, all of which are “…necessary for its mission to the world, for its building up, and for its service to God” (G-1.0100b). When one part suffers, we are less effective in “…proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind” (G-1.0200).

The Office of the General Assembly recognizes the deep and profound differences of conviction on a variety of topics in the church. When it comes to voicing those differences, we have previously drawn a clear distinction between dissent, which is always constitutionally protected, and defiance, which is never, ever protected.1

The PC(USA) Constitution provides ways to register disagreement and to propose change. Any governing body member may surely dissent (G-9.0303) and/or protest (G-9.0304) a particular action of that body. Sessions (G-10.0102p(6)) and presbyteries (G-11.0103t(3)) may overture higher governing bodies for changes in policies or even changes in the Constitution itself.

The church is committed to being open to voices that share minority opinions. At some points in our history, minority views have eventually become those of the majority. Thus, the Constitution recognizes “‘The church reformed, always reforming,’ according to the Word of God and the call of the Spirit” (G-2.0200). We understand through our theology that “[p]resbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ” (G-4.0301d). “Decisions shall be reached in governing bodies by vote, following opportunity for discussion, and a majority shall govern” (G-4.0301e).

There have also been times when an individual has found it impossible to go along with the majority. “…[W]hen any matter is determined by a majority vote, every member shall either actively concur with or passively submit to such determination.” If an individual officer finds that his [her] “…conscience permit him [her] to do neither, he [she] shall, after sufficient liberty modestly to reason and remonstrate, peaceably withdraw from our communion without attempting to make any schism” (italics added) (Endnote 1, Chapter VI). Dissent cannot constitutionally become advocacy for defiance, or for schism.

While it is certainly a right of our members to withdraw from our fellowship, such a request is one that is always received with deep regret and concern by our governing bodies.

Our covenant demands that we strive to work together in peace and unity, even in the midst of our diversity. This foundational Presbyterian principle is found in many places within our Constitution: (G-10.0302a(3)(a), G-11.0413, D-1.0101, D-1.0103). The duty is always to attempt to bring the estranged member back into the covenant community, and to be open to hearing minority voices because we know in our tradition that those minority voices are sometimes the voice of God to us. We promise to carry out that duty in our ordination vows.2

As we noted in our opening paragraph, the Office of the General Assembly is aware of Presbyterians who feel compelled not only to abandon their vows3 and promises, but who are willing, also, to rend the fabric of the church and sinfully threaten the peace and unity of Christ’s church. We are concerned that some seem willing to take for themselves the authority to ascribe within which “certain bounds … of the Reformed faith” (G-6.0108b) we all must live. This too often has led to schism in our history, a right of no Presbyterian.4 The term schism is “always interpreted in connection with and in the context of specific factual situations.”5

Under our Constitution, it is the General Assembly (with the concurrence of our presbyteries for constitutional matters) that determines what is “indispensable” (G-13.0103q, r).6

It falls within the purview of the presbytery to determine whether schism exists within a congregation (G-8.0601, G-11.0103).7 In such a case, the presbytery determines which members represent the true church (G-8.0601). The presbytery is responsible for confronting advocates of schism. The presbytery has a number of “tools” that the Constitution provides:

With individuals the presbytery determines whether a person is attempting to “…peaceably withdraw from our communion without attempting to make any schism” (which is an individual’s right).8 If an individual officer advocates schism, a session or presbytery may undertake judicial process and declare such action to be an offense (D-2.0203b). The officer may be censured, after trial.

If the presbytery determines that the pastor is inciting schism within a congregation, it may remove (G-11.0103n, o) or authorize its commission to remove (G-9.0503a(4)) such a schismatic minister of the Word and Sacrament from service to that congregation.

When a session has advocated or taken action to effectuate schism, the presbytery may declare such action to be irregular (G-9.0410, D-2.0202a).

A presbytery may appoint an administrative commission (G-9.0503a(4)) to visit churches “… reported to be affected with disorder, and to inquire into and settle the difficulties.…” If the presbytery determines that a session “is unable or unwilling to manage wisely the affairs of its church” (G-11.0103s), the presbytery may grant the commission original jurisdiction over any or all of the session’s powers in G-10.0102.

Any of these actions should be taken as a “last resort,” only after all efforts at restoration and reconciliation have been undertaken. Presbyteries are encouraged to visit each officer or session so affected.

Finally, the Office of the General Assembly reminds the church that not once in our history has schism ever advanced the gospel, but rather, always has diminished it. The reunion assembly of 1869 noted: Reunion “buries the suspicions and rivalries of the past, with the sad necessity of magnifying our differences in order to justify our separation. It banishes the spirit of division, the natural foe of true progress. In this union are seen the outflashing of a divine purpose to lead us on to greater self-sacrifice and a more entire consecration to the evangelization of the world. God has elevated us to this commanding position, that we may see his glory, and in the strengthened faith it inspires devote our united resources more directly and efficiently to the salvation of men [and women].”9

Endnotes:

1. See Advisory Opinion # 2
   
2. G-14.0207g and G-14.0405b(7): Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?
   
3. G-14.0207e and G-14.0405b(5): Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline?
   
4. Second Helvetic Confession 5.162: “all schismatic seeds should be removed,” and 5.141: “Furthermore, we diligently teach that care is to be taken wherein the truth and unity of the Church chiefly lies, lest we rashly provoke and foster schisms in the Church.”
   
5. PCUS Minutes, 1968, p. 108.
   
6. Last sentence of Endnote #1, Chapter VI: “Provided always that this shall be understood to extend only to such determination as the body shall judge indispensable in doctrine or Presbyterian government.”
   
7. “It is the presbytery which determines the true and loyal congregation of a particular church in which a schism exists even if the entire congregation votes unanimously to leave the denomination (G-8.0601). This authority has been a part of Presbyterianism since its inception during the Reformation of the 16th Century.” [quoted from response to Request 90-24 (2002 GA Minutes, 1990, p. 249)]
   
8. Endnote #1 to Chapter 6 of Form of Government.
   
9. Digest, Part II, p. 1333.