On the Passage of Amendment 10-A

I did NOT want to write about this. I arrived at my new call just about two months ago, and the last thing I wanted to confront was this controversy. Nonetheless, well informed people in my congregation know what has happened, and it is all over the church media and a good section of the secular media.

As of yesterday, a majority of Presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (USA), approved a very significant change to the PC(USA)'s Book of Order. This regards our standards of ordination. Currently, our Book of Order includes this provision (G-0106b):

Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life of obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.

This language has been dramatically changed, to read thusly:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240; 14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

I regret this change. Now, let me say that there are people I like and respect who think this is a good change. Some of them I consider good friends and colleagues. I intend to keep working with people who have supported Amendment A because there are other areas of ministry we agree on and can support. I also intend to remain in fellowship with them as long as I serve in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

I have many thoughts about what happened, but will share just a couple, because I doubt I will say much that has not already been said by others.

I am frustrated at our denomination's selective adherence to local option, or, if you like, local control. We have now enshrined local option/control regarding ordaining gays and lesbians. But we have not reversed the centralized control regarding the ordination of men who cannot conscientiously agree to participate in women's ordination. We do indeed, and none too gently, tell SOME committed Christians that they do not belong in our fellowship as leaders if they dissent too strongly from the relatively recent ecclesiastical innovation of women's ordination (which is still rejected by most churches around the world, and in the largest churches and/or fastest growing in the United States). All of the pleasant words we have heard about mutual forebearance and respect would, I think, ring hollow to someone like Walter Kenyon, who was brusquely shown the door in 1977 despite having the support of his own Presbytery.

This does not mean I oppose women's ordination or would refuse to participate in their ordination. But I have known many fine and committed Christians who are not welcome in our denomination's leadership because of THEIR understanding of Scripture informed by the conscience.

I do not think this kind of heavy-handed legalism regarding gay/lesbian ordination will occur right away. But it would not surprise me if a kind of "peer pressure" and/or ecclesiastical bullying occured in some Presbyteries to go along with such ordinations. I experienced both of those things in the past regarding different issues. I think that will become more common in some Presbyteries. The General or Executive Presbyter can play an important role in this. I have spoken to liberal GPs/EPs who are NOT heavy-handed and genuinely want to respect and work with more conservative Presbyterians. But to be blunt, I have also encountered liberal GPs/EPs who use their position to enforce their own ideas of what the church should do, and will behave ungraciously towards people with whom they disagree.

I also think that passage of Amendment 10-A will make it more difficult for my particular congregation to reach out to our surrounding community. Not impossible, but more difficult. This is a very conservative part of the country. It is beyond most people's comprehension in the Florida panhandle why our denomination would even consider gay ordination, much less agree to allow it.

And I am, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, dismayed that I have to address this topic right after beginning a new pastorate. I have spoken up about this issue before (and others before the PC(USA)) and have received little but grief for speaking up. It does not make me happy to write this. I would much rather the issue did not exist. But it does, my congregation is not happy with what has happened and I stand with my congregation (and 99% of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church as it has existed throughout time) and on the eternal Word of God.