Ordination Standards
After San Jose   
           

In a recent article in the Presbyterian Outlook, Covenant Network Director Doug Nave discusses ordination standards in the wake of the 218th General Assembly.  His comprehensive analysis notes that the G.A.’s two important Authoritative Interpretations (“AIs”) provide real opportunity for faithfully inclusive ordinations, now.

The first AI (reaffirming the 2006 G.A. AI permitting consideration of scruples on matters of both belief and practice) “renewed the commitment to our centuries-old tradition of respect for the freedom of biblically-formed conscience.”

The second AI “corrected an error made thirty years ago that singled out a single, contested sexual ethic and made conscience irrelevant to it.”

As the church debates and considers the proposed Amendment 08-B (revising G-6.0106b), “the new AIs make clear that sessions and presbyteries are free to consider alternative interpretations in mutual forbearance where biblically-formed consciences differ.”

Read the whole article.

Promoting Listening and Discernment in Your Presbytery

In sending the proposed revision of G-6.0106b to the presbyteries, the General Assembly “strongly encouraged presbyteries to consider this overture [now Amendment 08-B] using a process of listening and discernment.”  The Covenant Network is committed to “work in presbyteries for conversation rather than combat” and encourages presbyteries to take the time for genuine conversation, mutual listening, and shared learning.  Drawing on experiences of colleagues around the church, we offer some suggestions for long-term bridge-building to strengthen relations among Presbyterians and some possible designs for discerning discussions in preparation for presbytery votes.

Historic G.A. Brings Real Progress

The 218th General Assembly fully lived into its theme, “Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly with your God.”  It took important and historic steps toward a more welcoming church and spoke prophetically on many issues.

It issued two important Authoritative Interpretations – effective immediately:

• Clarifying that candidates for ordination may state, and presbyteries may consider, a “departure” on any matter of faith or practice, and
• Removing 30 years’ worth of categorical statements about “ordained service by homosexual church members.”  These policies “have no further force or effect.”

It also sent to presbyteries a major revision of G-6.0106b, focusing on Christian discipleship rather than sexuality. 

Covenant Network
Responds to GA Actions

The Covenant Network Board of Directors

• Celebrates the progress made by the 218th G.A., and encourages sessions and presbyteries to use it now
• Strongly supports passage of the new Amendment 08-B
• Pledges to “work in presbyteries for conversation rather than combat.”

Read the full statement.

The Covenant Network

2515 Fillmore St - San Francisco - CA - 94115
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Executive Director: Pam Byers
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Covenant Connection Subscription Management

The Covenant Network seeks to:

• support the mission and unity of the Presbyterian Church (USA);
• articulate and act on the church's historic, progressive vision;
• work for a fully inclusive church;
• find ways to live out the graciously hospitable gospel by living together with all our fellow members in the PC(USA).

You are invited to this covenant community of envisioning a graceful and inviting church – a church reaching out; offering the gospel to a world in need and gratefully welcoming the gifts of all whom God calls to ministry and service.

To join with other Presbyterians and make your commitment to envision a church that is as generous and just as God’s grace, please sign the Call to Covenant Community and donate through our on-line E-Store.

>> Registration now open! <<

2008 Covenant Conference
November 6-8
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

"I shall be

your God

and you

shall be

my people."

Leviticus 26:12

• Walter Brueggemann, Stacy Johnson,
  and four great preachers
  
• Spirit-filled, unifying worship
• Dynamic, practical workshops
• Effective strategies for presbytery organizing
• Healing fellowship
• A new young adult caucus

• Early bird rate, through Sept. 15: $150
• Regular rate, Sept. 16 - Oct. 29: $175
  
• Last minute rate, beginning Oct. 30: $200
  
• Seminarians & college students: Free, but must register

"I shall be your God and you shall be my people." Those ancient words reflect both God's promise and God's challenge.  History has proved that God is better at keeping this promise than we are at meeting this challenge.

But history has also shown us that Covenant Network conferences contribute significantly to our becoming God's people.  We laugh, we cry, we learn, we worship.  Together we seek to serve Jesus, who at his table offers us the "cup of the new covenant."

For more information, call 415-351-2196 or email karlalemon@covenantnetwork.org.

Fall Covenant Connection
Newsletter Now Available

The fall edition of the The Covenant Connection has been mailed. The full newsletter is also available here: download. (PDF, 2.6 megabytes. Not suggested for dial-up connections.)

PDFs of individual topics are also available. (Click page reference to download.):

Page 1 - Good News from the 218th G.A.
Page 2 - CovNet Board Statement about 218th G.A.
Page 3 - 2008 Covenant Conference Invitation and Information
Page 4 - Dan Vigilante, Working with YAAD’s
Page 5 - Ken Cuthbertson, “Like Those Who Dream”
Page 6 - John Buchanan, G.A. Luncheon Address, pg. 1
Page 7 - Buchanan address, pg. 2; news notes
Page 8 - Co-Moderators’ Letter

We are pleased to send The Covenant Connection without charge to anyone who requests it. To be added to our list, or to submit a change of address, please click here: Covenant Connection Subscription Management.

An Important Film

For the Bible Tells Me So is about scripture and how Christian families do (or fail to) come to understand their gay children. Made with the help of the Human Rights Campaign, the film features interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard professor Peter Gomes, Bishop Gene Robinson (and his family), former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (and his lesbian daughter), and three other American, Christian families of gay children. Now in selected theaters. Reviews, prizes, and release schedule here.

Support the Covenant Network

Only with your help can we continue educating, advocating, and networking toward a more fully inclusive church.  Your tax-deductible gift makes an essential difference. 

The 2006 General Assembly offered Presbyterians a new way of relating to one another despite disagreements, and reaffirmed the responsibility of sessions and presbyteries to look at each candidate individually in discerning call.

With your help the Covenant Network has made a real difference in the church. It has...

• Offered help for faithful theological discussions of potentially divisive issues by publishing and distributing books like Frequently Asked Questions About Sexuality, the Bible and the Church, 
• Helped Presbyterians understand and use the new processes with Guidelines for Examination of Church Officers,
• Offered legal training and defense in church courts to officers and sessions threatened by exclusive interpretations of our polity.

The work continues

...and so does Covenant Network's need for your support. It costs money to write, publish and distribute critical resources for sessions, candidates and presbyteries. It costs money to offer legal support and training as judicial cases work out the new polity of ordination. It costs money to organize for effective action at next June's General Assembly. It costs money to support Covenant Network chapters for effective local action. It costs money to offer national and regional conferences across the country.

The Covenant Network is entirely reliant on your support.  Please send your generous year-end gift. Take advantage of the Network's online e-store and donate now. You can remember or honor someone who’s been important in your own journey with a memorial gift; our office will be glad to notify the honoree.  Also please ask your session to start, or increase, its support of the Network.

Let us work together to create a church as generous and just as God's grace!

To donate on-line, please click here.

To donate by check, mail your gift to 2515 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115, or call 415-351-2196.

To sign the Call to Covenant, please click here.

Thank you for your support!