Overture 04-04. On Striking G-6.0106b from The Constitution in Order to Welcome All Persons into the Life of the Church—From the Presbytery of Baltimore.

The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative vote:

Shall G-6.0106b be stricken from the Book of Order.

Rationale

The peace, unity, and purity of the PC(USA) have been ruptured by the presence of G-6.0106b in our Book of Order. Rather than solving the issue of ordination standards, this addition has created a hostile and divisive environment in our church that is contrary to God’s reconciling love. Numerous judicial cases have been brought to governing bodies over issues of ordination from individuals who are unaware of the calls and gifts of ministry of those against whom they file complaints. These judicial actions have cost individuals, congregations, and governing bodies untold time and money to defend those who have been accused. There is no longer any possibility of honest and open dialogue on this issue without fear of retribution. Section G-6.0106b does serious harm to our church by forcing the appearance of consensus and depriving the church of the benefit of discussion.

The wisdom expressed in G-6.0106a is sufficient in setting standards for ordination. The strength of the PC(USA) lies in its ability to hold freedom of conscience and church order in tension, and its trust of the governing body closest to those it ordains (G-6.0108b). Sessions and presbyteries have the responsibility to weigh the confessions, to determine which segments reflect essential tenets of the faith, and to judge the gifts and qualifications of those candidates who come before them.

The effects of G-6.0106b are contrary to our constitutional call to “seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons”(G-5.0103). Instead it has the explicit and implicit effect of targeting one category of people, defined as “self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons,” and of denying to them the full rights and privileges of active membership within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (G-5.0202). Through this constitutional ban, G-6.0106b disregards the fact that a pluralism of methods of biblical and theological interpretation currently exists within the PC(USA) concerning homosexuality. Among these methods is the strongly held belief among many conscientious Presbyterians that homosexual practice is not a sin per se and that both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are capable of being either faithful and life-affirming or sinful and destructive. Section G-6.0106b, and its predecessor “definitive guidance” and subsequent affirmations, delineates human sexuality in categories more narrowly defined than the Scriptures seek to claim. For example, while Christians disagree on the interpretation of the limited biblical references to homosexuality, most acknowledge that the Bible is silent on the issue of lifelong, faithful homosexual partnerships. In contrast, the Bible is clear in its themes of covenant: the covenant between God and humanity, and the human covenants made before God. Removal of G-6.0106b from our Constitution would allow presbyteries and sessions to follow their understanding of the Holy Spirit’s leading in making decisions about candidates for ordination/installation by the application of a common ethic of faithfulness and fidelity within human covenantal relationships. This return to a mutual trust in each ordaining/installing presbytery’s or session’s ability to make individual judgments concerning the fitness of a candidate for ordination/installation would restore to the presbyteries and sessions their traditional duty and prerogative to approve, ordain, and install persons whom, after due examination, they deem gifted, worthy, and called by God through the voice of the people.

Concurrences to Overture 04-4 from the Presbyteries of National Capital and New England.

Concurrence to Overture 04-4—From the Presbytery of Des Moines (with Additional Rationale).

Rationale

In concurrence with the Presbytery of Baltimore, we agree that “the effects of G-6.0106b are contrary to our constitutional call to seed the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons (G-9.0104). Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal of the Gospel (G-5.0103).”

The Presbytery of Des Moines has historically supported this particular issue.

Referring to the PC(USA) Website, the Presbyterian 101 statement (“A General Guide to the Facts About the PCUSA”) under the heading “Presbyterian are BELIEVERS AND DOERS,” Paragraph 2 appears to be in conflict with G-6.0106b. It states; “WE BELIEVE—in a theology of mission, as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Christ hath commissioned the Church to go into the world and to make disciples of all nations. All believers are therefore under obligation—to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal efforts to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the whole earth.” In “Presbyterians are Attuned to the Times (Page 2), “the church” also adapts to newly emerging needs and to changing relationships in a sensitive manner.”

The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church (Mandate 1b) was established to pursue a process of discernment for the church. “This discernment shall include but not be limited to issues of Christology, biblical authority and interpretations, ordination standards, and power.” It will not report back to the assembly until 2006. It was not formed to make decisions on behalf of the General Assembly and/or the presbyteries. The same General Assembly in 2001 sent a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the presbyteries that would remove G-6.0106b.