Presbyterian church and gay marriage
Stances of Faiths on Diverse Issues: Presbyterian Church (USA)
BACKGROUND
With its roots in the 16th century teachings of John Calvin, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) boasts million members who participate in more than 10, congregations across the country. The largest Presbyterian organization in the country, the denomination was formed in when the southern-based Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) joined the northern-based United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) to create a single entity. The Presbyterian Church (USA) remains distinct from the Presbyterian Church in America, which tends toward less inclusive policies.
The Presbyterian name derives from the Greek word for “elders” – lay leaders who regulate the church and are chosen by its congregants. According to the denomination’s web site, elders work closely with clergy to, “exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large.” Elders serve at every level of leadership from “sessions,” which govern a solo church, to “presb
By Philip Ryan | February 24,
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs
For the second year in a row, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has sent down overtures regarding the sexuality of ministers to the presbyteries. Overture 29 presented to the 49th General Assembly passed on the floor of the Assembly and was referred to the 88 presbyteries of the PCA as Item 4. Along with a associated proposal (Item 5), it has received overwhelming approval from across the spectrum of the PCA. Indeed, leaders of the Gospel Reformation Network[1] and the former leader of the National Partnership[2] have both expressed their desire to see these approved and added to the BCO.
Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on your perspective – Overture 15 presented before the 49th Assembly passed by a much narrower vote and has now failed to achieve the requisite 2/3 majority of affirmative votes from the presbyteries (as Item 1) to proceed to a final ratification vote at the 50th General Assembly in Memphis. For some reason
Pastor Letter on Equal Sex Marriage
July,
Church Family,
I want to write you today about some things I believe to be true. I do not write as one speaking for the entire church body or the even the entirety of our church’s leadership, but speaking purely for myself and speaking as your pastor. I think it would be helpful at this point for me to communicate with clarity where I personally stand on some of the issues taken up recently by our denomination and to share with you how I understand those convictions to impact my ministry with you and our shared ministry together.
After I share these things with you, I want to share with you one action item that the session has taken regarding same-sex marriage.
I believe there is room for disagreement in the church on non-essential matters. I spot lots of great examples of this in the New Testament community; a community passionately committed to unity in Christ and, at the same occasion, committed to loving and serving one another in humility, even where there are differing convictions of what should rightfully be the faithful practice
Presbyterian Church (USA) Considers Forcing LGBTQ Affirmation
An increasingly revisionist Presbyterian Church (USA) will take up legislation at its th General Assembly June 25 &#; July 4 in Salt Lake City barring ordination of candidates who are not LGBTQ-affirming.
Designated OVT, the engagement, known as an overture in Presbyterian parlance, would change two sections of the PCUSA Book of Order. The first convert alters section F, “Unity in Diversity,” to study (changes in brackets):
“The togetherness of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, [gender identity, sexual orientation,] disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee occupied participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership. No member shall be