Blood is thicker than gay ordination

Conservative Colombian Presbyterians reject PC(USA)’s ordination standards but reaffirm partnership

October 12, 2012

Presbyterian News Service

Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE

In a strongly worded letter to Presbyterian World Mission Director Hunter Farrell, the moderator of a conservative offshoot of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia has reaffirmed that church’s partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) despite its rejection of the PC(USA)’s current ordination standard allowing for the ordination of sexually active unmarried persons, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered church members.

“We reject this [homosexual] conduct however it is expressed, but at the same time express the appreciation for people as human beings,” wrote Martha Raquel Niño Duran, moderator of the Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia.

“…We have different points of view, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will continue the commitment of brotherhood to keep working for the benefit of the people of God,” Duran added.

“While the rejection is not ideal, the model of ‘reject the action, but maintain unity’ is a strong message,” Farrell told the Presbyterian News Service. “This determination by our Colombian brothers and sisters is well worth sharing more broadly with the PC(USA) because even a very conservative partner has chosen to maintain relationship despite significant theological difference.” 

The full text of Duran’s letter to Farrell, dated Oct. 4:

“Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” ― Psalm 37:5.

In my capacity as Moderator of the Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia, receive warm greetings and our best wishes for peace and prosperity in all and every one of the activities undertaken for the benefit of the Church of Christ.

The Synod Council, at its meeting held in the month of June of the current year in the city of Barranquilla, made the following agreement in relation to the changes of the PC (USA)’s ordination standards: 

“Agreement No. 090: The Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia has been part of the Presbyterian Church’s conservative wing in the world, which enacts the principles described in the Holy Bible on the integrity of the human being as the Lord Jesus Christ, Who appreciates every human being as a person, but does not share attitudes such as corruption, social injustice, drug trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, and homosexuality among others. The Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia rejects the position of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in relation to the ordination of gay ministers. We reject this conduct however it is expressed, but at the same time express the appreciation for people as human beings.”

With reference to this issue, we have different points of view, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will continue the commitment of brotherhood to keep working for the benefit of the people of God.

  1. Changing the ordination standard removed the requirement for sexual purity. So whether you are a homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, or whatever sexual, you should be able to rest easy at night. We are trying to eliminate any barriers which would prevent anyone from serving. And rather than ask the individual to change or to conform to what we have mistakenly upheld as God-ordained (and for many centuries), we decided it was easier for us to conform to the "social, cultural trends". We expect God to do the same, and subsequently bless all of our future endeavors as we seek to minister to a "changing world". Should we also ask God to forgive us for the many years we got it wrong? Or perhaps we should consider forgiving God for letting us prosper and grow for all the years under that wrong line of thinking?

    by Lance Douglas

    February 28, 2013

  2. Mr. Aist apparently regards homosexuality as a behavior rather than state of being and no different than any other child of God and there is no doubt in my mind that Jesus would not have preached to any human that he or she has sinned because of who that person is. The church should be the first institution to take a stand against the exclusion of any human being from full participation in all aspects of that institution.

    by carol friebolin-keydel

    October 25, 2012

  3. There is much to do in bridging relationships within the midst of differences. The PC(USA) has an opportunity to continue to be part of a global movement for the inclusion of our sisters and brothers who are LGBT/Q everywhere they live and worship. I appreciate Hunter Farrell's letting us know about this letter and the response of other partners around the world, especially after the concerns he expressed in committee meetings at GA. The PC(USA) is a leader in so many ways; it appears we have been called again to do so for our family, including sisters and brothers who are LGBT/Q.

    by Rev. Ray Bagnuolo

    October 16, 2012

  4. Interesting that of the list of unapproved "attitudes," "One of these things is not like the others, five of these things are kind of the same." All but "homosexuality" (which isn't an attitude, but a life condition) have at least one victim. Loving one another means make no one your victim. A loving relationship, regardless of gender, is, well, loving.

    by Jo Ann Staebler

    October 15, 2012

  5. This parishioner would love to see an ordained gay minister!

    by KJ

    October 15, 2012

  6. It is behavior that is reprehensible to our Lord, never people. The PC(USA) has it all wrong in embracing a biblical unsustainable behavior. Everyone get its right when we embrace people. There is a difference.

    by James Calvin

    October 15, 2012

  7. Jesus would befriend homosexual people (cf. Matthew 9:10; Luke 7:34) and treat them with kindness and respect, without approving of their homosexual behavior; Jesus came preaching repentance from sin, not acceptance of sin (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32), and He was still calling for repentance after his ascension into heaven (Revelation 2, 3). Jesus did not come to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Jesus said to the woman caught in the heterosexual sin called ”adultery”, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11). Jesus gave up His own life to pay the price for homosexual sins; that’s how much He hates homosexual sins and loves homosexual people (Romans 5:8). Jesus would further demonstrate His love for homosexual people by encouraging them to believe in Him and be saved (John 3:16), and to repent of (turn away from) their homosexual sins. Furthermore, He would change them “in the name (literally, the power and authority) of the Lord Jesus Christ”, just as His Corinthian disciples (His representatives) did after Him (I Corinthians 6:11). This is the kind of love Jesus has for homosexual and heterosexual people alike. The Bible also has this to say about love: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9); and “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6). This, too, is the love of Christ for all of us, including homosexual people. See more at http://rethinkingtheology.com/welcome-to-re-thinking-theology/homosexuality/

    by James Aist

    October 12, 2012

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