On issuing an authoritative interpretation clarifying standards for ordination, and deleting G-6.0106b:
The Presbytery of Des Moines respectfully overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to do the following:1. Provide the following authoritative interpretation: Interpretative statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.
2. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:Shall G-6.0106b be stricken?
Definitive Guidance and Authoritative Interpretations prior to G-6.0106b by the General Assemblies and Permanent Judicial Commissions of the PCUSA, the UPCUSA, and PCUS stated that “self affirming, practicing homosexual persons” were not fit for service in ordained positions within the church. These statements had the effect of amending our constitutional standards for ordination without the ratification of the presbyteries. These statements also have contributed to conflict and confusion in the church, and undermined respect for the Constitution.
We believe that the presence of G-6.0106b within the Book of Order creates a hostile and divisive environment in our church contrary to God’s reconciling love and the spirit of our Reformed Faith. and increasing numbers of accusations and judicial cases have caused the church to spend invaluable financial and human resources defending this policy. These resources have taken away from the primary mission of the church.
The effects of compliance with G-6.0106b are counter to the sentiment of G-5.0103 that “Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. Failure to do this “constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal of the gospel.”
The church “is called to be a sign in and for the world of the new reality which God had made available to people in Jesus Christ”, 1) Sin is forgiven, 2) Reconciliation is accomplished, 3) The dividing wall of hostility are torn down (Book of Order G-3.0200). This leads to an affirmation of diversity and the welcoming inclusion of all people (Book of Order G3.0401, G-4.0203, G-4.0401-.0403, G-5.0202, G-9.0104, Book of Confessions 9.06-.07, 9.10, 9.19-20, 9.22, 9.29, 9.31-33, and 9.44.
Those excluded are fellow Presbyterians. Currently over 1000 pastor positions are vacant in the PCUSA. Many of these could and would be filled as a result of changes contained in this Overture to the 217th General Assembly. Additional benefit may come in retaining and obtaining new members to replace those who have left the church in the recent past, over 40,000 in 2004. We encourage the General Assembly to ‘Error on the side of Love” and continue this faith journey to give persons “Called By God” the opportunity to serve our church and to add to the glorification of God’s grace.
In our continuing struggle on these issues, the Church is called to be open to God’s continuing reformation ‘according to the Word of God and the call of the spirit” (Book of Order, G-20200: see also G-3.0401, G-4.0303, G-10.0102j, and G-18.0101; Book of Confessions 9.03 and 9.29).