News Archive

July 27, 2004

Theological Task Force to Study Sexuality

First meeting since GA has a full agenda.

LOUISVILLE—The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church will meet August 3-6 in Dallas, TX. A major focus of the meeting will be the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s stand on homosexuality.

At the recent General Assembly in Richmond, VA, the task force presented its preliminary report to the church, with affirmations that “Jesus Christ Himself is the church’s peace, Jesus Christ Himself is the church’s unity; and Jesus Christ Himself is the church’s purity.” In addition, the assembly voted to encourage presbyteries to study and discuss the report.

Building on these theological affirmations, the task force will explore specific issues at its August meeting. The church’s stand on homosexuality will be one major focus. Task force member W. Stacy Johnson, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, will lead the group in a study, “Theological Reflections on the Place of Homosexual People in the Church.” Six different viewpoints will be explored, focusing on how each understands what it means for a person to be (a) created in the image of God, (b) in need of reconciliation (“fallen”), and (c) redeemed in Christ by the Spirit’s power. Both theology and polity disputes regarding gays and lesbians in the church will be considered.

In another session, led by task force members Frances Taylor Gench, professor at Union-PSCE, and Arizona pastor Martha Sadongei, task force members will be helped to explore their own conceptions and assumptions about sexuality.

At various times during the meeting, Bible studies and worship services will focus on different styles of churches that emerged in the latter half of the first century. The studies and services will led by various task force members, including Illinois pastor Jong Hyeong Lee, and Scott Anderson, director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

On Thursday morning, three task force members – pastors Jack Haberer (TX), Sarah Sanderson-Doughty (NY), and Lonnie Oliver (GA) – will lead a group study-discussion on those various styles of church, as suggested by Raymond Brown’s book, The Churches the Apostles Left Behind. The discussion will explore the various metaphors and models of the church that exist within the PC(USA) today and reflect on how those models drive Presbyterians’ handling of controversial issues before the church.

The task force will also consider a document that summarizes historical and polity material presented at earlier meetings. Joe Coalter, librarian and professor at Union-PSCE, will present the summary. New York pastor John Wilkinson and Barbara Wheeler, president of Auburn Theological Seminary, will help to lead the discussion.

Contact info: Sharon Youngs , Communications Coordinator, Office of the General Assembly; (888) 728-7228, ext. 5750.