Overture 04-49. On Amending G-6.0106 and on Approving an Authoritative Interpretation—From the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.

The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area respectfully overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) to do the following:

1. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendments to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

a. Shall G-6.0106b be stricken?

b. Shall G-6.0106a be amended by adding a new sentence to the end of the paragraph to read as follows:

“Their suitability to hold office is determined by the governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes place, guided by scriptural and constitutional standards, under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ.”

2. Approve the following authoritative interpretation:

“Interpretive statements concerning ordained service by homosexual persons by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the 191st General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent denominational affirmations thereof, shall be given no further force or effect; and Section G-6.0106a of the Form of Government, together with the other prerequisites for ordination expressly stated in our Book of Order, hereby are affirmed as the sole and exclusive standards for ordination by ordaining bodies acting in prayerful discernment of the leading of Almighty God.”

Rationale

We believe that the presence of G-6.0106b within our Book of Order has created a hostile and divisive environment in our church that is contrary to God’s reconciling love and the spirit of our Reformed faith. We are greatly saddened over the increasing number of accusations and judicial cases that have arisen in recent months as a result of this measure. These trials are causing the church to spend inordinate financial and human resources defending an exclusionary policy that is not an essential of the Reformed faith, drawing precious resources away from the primary mission of the church.

The effects of compliance with G-6.0106b run counter to the sentiment of G-5.0103 that “Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons.” Failure to do this, it continues, “constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel.” We would honor Christ’s last prayer with his disciples that all may be one (Jn. 17:11) and would heed the admonition of the New Testament writers that we avoid needless controversies lest the body of Christ be divided.

Presbyterians have historically valued the rights of governing bodies to make decisions that affect them the most directly, seeking unity in the essentials of faith but not necessarily in “truths and forms with respect to which [people] of good characters and principles may differ” (Book of Order, G-1.0305). Biblical interpretations differ, and the church should therefore leave it to local governing bodies to act out of their own faith as discerned together in prayer when such interpretations over nonessential matters are in conflict.

The confessions of our church are valuable guides in our decisions about ordination and many other issues, but they are always subordinate to Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture (Book of Order, G-1.0307 and G-2.0200; The Book of Confessions, 3.18-.20, 5.011-.014, 6.010, and 9.03). Our Constitution affirms that “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship” (Book of Order, G-1.0301; see also G-1.0305 and G-1.0307; The Book of Confessions, 5.010-.014, 6.109, 6.174-.175, 7.215, and 8.20-.21).

The church “is called to be a sign in and for the world of the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus Christ,” reflecting that “(1) Sin is forgiven. (2) Reconciliation is accomplished. (3) The dividing walls of hostility are torn down” (Book of Order, G-3.0200). This leads to an affirmation of diversity and the welcoming inclusion of all people (Book of Order, G-3.0401, G-4.0203, G-4.0401-.0403, G-5.0202, and G-9.0104; The Book of Confessions, 9.06-.07, 9.10, 9.19-.20, 9.22, 9.29, 9.31-33, and 9.44).

We understand our polity and system of ordination to mean that leaders are called by God and confirmed by the people, and that all members whose manner of life demonstrates the gospel and who possess the gifts and training for leadership have opportunities to participate in leadership.

In faithfulness to our call to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we would affirm and enable ordained service and outreach by all in whom we discern a call to serve (Book of Order, G-1.0306, G-4.0402, G-4.0403, G-6.0102, G-6.0107, G-7.0103, G-10.0102l, G-14.0201, and G-14.0204).

In our continuing struggle on these issues, the Church is called to be open to God’s continuing reformation “according to the Word of God and the call of the Spirit” (Book of Order, G-2.0200; see also G-3.0401, G-4.0303, G-10.0102j, and G-18.0101; The Book of Confessions, 9.03 and 9.29).