Summer Newsletter Now Available

The summer edition of Covenant Connection is now in the mail; it includes responses to the voting on proposed Amendment 08-B. This edition features voices of young clergy and Covenant Network supporters.

Conversation on Ordination
Standards Continues

The Covenant Network Board has commented on the Amendment 08-B voting, saying in part: “Voting on Amendment 08-B in the presbyteries is now complete, and the board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, while disappointed by the outcome, is encouraged by signs of progress and still hopeful about the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

...“The total votes cast were nearly equal: forty-nine percent of presbytery commissioners voted in favor of 08-B. Clearly our church has reached no consensus, and the work of learning to live faithfully in a time of disagreement remains before us." Read full statement.

Votes on Amendment 08-B Show Strong Movement Toward Change

Presbyteries have been voting this winter and spring on Amendment 08-B, which would replace the current language of G-6.0106b, with its narrow focus on "fidelity and chastity," with broader, more faithful language emphasizing officers' discipleship to Jesus Christ.

With nearly all votes in, it is now evident that 08-B will not pass this year, as the No votes have passed 87, a majority of the presbyteries.

In the voting on Amendment 08-B, 34 presbyteries that previously voted No on 01-A switched and voted Yes on 08-B. Only two switched the other way. The vote as of May 19th was 78 Yes, 93 No. Read more, including a detailed tally.

Organizing to Approve Amendment 08-B: Notes and resources

“I would rather fail in a cause I know someday will triumph, than succeed in a cause I know one day will fail.” - Presbyterian elder and visionary (and U.S. President) Woodrow Wilson

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.

The Covenant Network

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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.

Synod PJC Rules in Favor of Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area in Capetz Restoration

In March the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission ruled that the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area acted within its rights when it voted to restore Dr. Paul Capetz, who declared that he is gay and refuses to take a vow of celibacy under G-6.0106b, to the exercise of ordained ministry (from which he had voluntarily asked to be relieved in 2000), and then validated his ministry as a theology professor. However, the GAPJC also ruled that the PJC for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies must have a trial to consider separately whether the Presbytery acted irregularly in treating Dr. Capetz's declaration as a departure from G-6.0106b and then voting that that departure is constitutional.

The trial in the case of Bierschwale, et al. v. the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area was held before the PJC of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on May 11, 2009. The SPJC, with one commissioner dissenting, determined that the Presbytery’s action was not irregular because “the stated departure of Dr. Capetz does not infringe on the rights and views of others, and does not obstruct the constitutional governance of the church,” and it is the Presbytery which has the responsibility to determine whether an individual has departed from the essentials of Reformed faith and polity.  The SPJC found that the Presbytery had not “waived” the ‘fidelity and chastity’ requirement of G-6.0106b, but properly extended mutual forbearance after concluding that Dr. Capetz had not departed from an essential. (Read decision.)

SPJC Lifts Stay on
Examination of Lisa Larges

The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Pacific (SPJC) ruled in March that candidate Lisa Larges may be examined for ordained service in the church.  In so ruling, the SPJC lifted a stay that had prevented examination following a vote by San Francisco Presbytery that Ms. Larges be certified “ready for examination . . . with a departure.”  Read SPJC decision. As of May 4, complainants Naegeli et al. have appealed this decision to the GA PJC.

The SPJC ruled that the San Francisco process was flawed insofar as members of the presbytery, in voting to certify Ms. Larges ready for examination, may have considered her written declaration of departure from G-6.0106b. Read full story.

Plan your summer and fall

The year is full of exciting conferences and events, including this year's CovNet conference: "The Church We Can See from Here." See details on eight conferences.

GAPJC Directs Synod PJC to Hear Appeal of Twin Cities Action in Capetz Restoration

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission has ruled that the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area acted within its rights when it voted to restore Dr. Paul Capetz to the exercise of ordained ministry (from which he had voluntarily asked to be relieved in 2000) and then validated his ministry as a theology professor. The GAPJC upheld this action even though Dr. Capetz declared that he is gay and refuses to take a vow of celibacy under G-6.0106b. However, the GAPJC ruled that the PJC for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies must have a trial to consider separately whether the Presbytery acted irregularly in treating Dr. Capetz's declaration as a departure from G-6.0106b and then voting that that departure is constitutional. Accordingly, while denying most of the requested “relief” sought by appellants, it remanded the case to the Synod PJC for trial on the question of whether the presbytery’s actions were “irregular.”

The March 2 decision (219-08) emphasized that questions about “individual exercise of freedom of conscience . . . must be considered in the context of the ministry and circumstances of the individual at issue [and] require case-by-case consideration.” The Presbyterian Outlook published a detailed account of the case and decision.

2008 Covenant Conferees Celebrate, Worship, and Resolve to Work for Change

"I shall be

your God

and you

shall be

my people."

Leviticus 26:12

Four hundred Presbyterians from around the country gathered in Minneapolis’s Westminster Church on November 6-8 for the 2008 Covenant Conference, “Covenant: God Is Faithful Still.”  Pastors, elders, seminarians, and students shared rich plenary addresses, helpful workshops, and five rich and varied worship services.
Read full report.

>> CD's & tapes available! <<

CD's and tapes of all conference addresses and services are now available at our e-store.

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.

Support the Covenant Network

2009 offers crucial opportunities and challenges to supporters of a more inclusive church. Building on the successful work of the 2008 General Assembly, Covenant Network is organizing supporters in every presbytery to pass Amendment 08-B for a more faithful and inclusive ordination standard. We continue to help sessions and presbyteries understand and apply the new ordination practices authorized by the G.A. Your tax-deductible gift makes an essential difference.

Only with your help can we continue educating, advocating, and networking toward a more fully inclusive church. Your gift helps us

• write, publish and distribute interpretive resources for sessions, candidates and presbyteries;
• offer legal advice and support as judicial cases work out the new polity of ordination;
• support Covenant Network chapters for effective local action;
• advise seminarians and candidates seeking calls.

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!

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