Overture 37

On Commending Study of the Authoritative Interpretation of 1978—From the Presbytery of Indian Nations.

The Presbytery of Indian Nations overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to direct the Stated Clerk to send to each congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the following:

1. A pastoral letter explaining the role of an authoritative interpretation of the Constitution.

2. A new copy of the “Policy Statements and Recommendations” section from the 1978 United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) report “The Church and Homosexuality,” (which included definitive guidance that was subsequently declared an authoritative interpretation in 1993).

3. A theologically informed study guide prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship and commended for use by sessions and congregations for study of this document. The study guide shall be sent to congregations no later than one year prior to the convening of the 218th General Assembly (2008).

Rationale

In response to a call from the church and in great wisdom and pastoral concern, the UPCUSA General Assembly in 1978 and the PCUS General Assembly in 1979 explained the teachings of Holy Scripture on human sexuality and expressed the historic understanding of the Presbyterian church, by establishing the policy statements and recommendations on homosexuality, which included statements specifically identified as “Definitive Guidance.” This definitive guidance in turn was made an authoritative interpretation by the 1993 General Assembly of the PC(USA). The authoritative interpretation demonstrates Christ’s love, grace, and call to discipleship, speaking clearly and lovingly about the nature of human sexuality. This definitive guidance/authoritative interpretation has also been used many times in the establishment of case law by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission.

God’s design for human sexual practice, as expressed in this authoritative interpretation, has been affirmed time and again by subsequent General Assemblies and by presbytery votes across the country. Moreover, the mission of Christ’s church has been enhanced by this authoritative interpretation, which calls us to love all those whom God has made, and gives substance and meaning to that love. The authoritative interpretation lifts up both the grace and the call to obedience of our Lord, and has been a resource for countless followers of Jesus Christ, helping them to be more faithful witnesses to the Gospel.

Unfortunately, the teachings of this authoritative interpretation and its contribution to the life of the church have not always been adequately understood. In recent years, and particularly at the 216th General Assembly (2004), misstatements about the authoritative interpretation have made it very difficult for the church to appropriately assess the biblical nature and ongoing vitality of its own standards. Recommendations regarding this authoritative interpretation will be before the 217th General Assembly (2006), so widespread study of the document is therefore essential for the church to be familiar with its own standards.

Such study can be enabled by distributing three critical pieces of literature: (1) The authoritative interpretation itself needs to be distributed to every church and commended for study. (2) A letter from the Stated Clerk needs to accompany the authoritative interpretation, explaining the role of an authoritative interpretation of the Constitution in order to clear away many misunderstandings that persist among pastors, elders, and members of the PC(USA). And finally, (3) an official study guide needs to accompany the authoritative interpretation It is essential that this study guide be theologically informed in order to help the church carefully discern (a) the biblical nature of its standards and (b) the continuity between these standards and the historic theological understanding of the Presbyterian church. The Office of Theology and Worship is the appropriate office to write such a study guide, as its unique mission is to assist “all governing bodies to engage theological, confessional, ethical, and liturgical issues.”

With such a tool, broad-based study of the authoritative interpretation is commended, for the enlightenment, edification, and unification of our denomination.