The Presbytery of the Genesee Valley respectfully overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to do the following:
1. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
Shall section G-6.0106b of the Form of Government be stricken from the Book of Order.
2. Approve the following Authoritative Interpretation, which shall take effect immediately upon the affirmative vote of the 217th General Assembly (2006):
“Interpretive statements concerning ordained service by homosexual persons 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, shall be given no further force and effect.”
RATIONALE:
G-6.0106 b of the Book of Order violates our great theological and constitutional tradition of hospitality and compassion. Jesus gave us this commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The Apostle Paul, addressing some of the major divisions of his day, said: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
The recent Confessions affirm these commandments. “Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize their fellowmen, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess.” (Confession of 1967 – 9.44). “In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.” (1983 Brief Statement of Faith – 10.3).
The Confessions describe the basic principles of our Reformed faith (Book of Order G-2.0500). G-6.0106 b is blatantly inconsistent with the Confessions because it violates the overarching principle proclaimed in the recent Confessions – namely the equality of all people – and reinstates lists of sins and categories of “second class citizens” which have long since been placed in historical context by the more recent Confessions. The Larger Catechism alone describes 153 sins. Interpreted literally, a law which bars ordination based on any of these sins would make most church members ineligible for ordination.
The standards set forth in G-6.0106 a have served us well for many years and provide that candidates for ordination should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship and love of Jesus Christ. “Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the Church and in the world.”
G-6.0106 b subverts the welcoming essence of our faith. It creates absolute, categorical exclusions and disregards important facts in specific cases. It excludes entire categories of people regardless of their character and qualifications. It attempts to make this exclusion absolute, as if it were an essential tenet, which it is not. It ignores freedom of conscience, one of the Historic Principles of Church Order (G-1.0301 (1) (a). It undermines the authority and responsibility of ordaining bodies to examine, ordain and welcome those persons whom they deem qualified for ordained office in our church. It contradicts provisions in the Book of Order which mandate an inclusive church (G-3.0401; G-4.0403; G-5.0103 and G-5.0202). Finally, it is in conflict with the recent Confessions.
It is not possible to accept a broad, punitive meaning to G-6.0106 b, and, at the same time, implement the clear Commandments of Jesus and the provisions in our Constitution which require equality and inclusion. Failure to honor these Commandments and constitutional provisions “constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel” G5.0103.
G-6.0106 b of the Book of Order and the related Authoritative Interpretations concerning ordained service are all theologically and constitutionally flawed and must be eliminated.