August 2001
Dear Friends,
"The apostles and the elders met together to consider"
the nature of their community, and there was "much debate."
Disagreement has been a fact of church life since the beginning.
In a decidedly Presbyterian mode, the early Christians gathered
to discuss the question of entrance requirements for Gentile Christians
(Acts 15). Peter proclaimed that God "has made no distinction
between them and us" and challenged those gathered not to
place on other disciples "a yoke that neither our ancestors
nor we have been able to bear." Standards yes; double standards,
no. James offered a compromise, a decision faithful to tradition
and open to the movement of the Spirit. By consent, delegates
were sent out to communicate and interpret it. The recipients
in Antioch "rejoiced." The believers were encouraged
and strengthened, and the messengers were sent off in peace.
The commissioners to the 213th General Assembly met together in
June to consider the matter of ordination requirements. There
was "no small dissension and debate" in over two days
of committee work and more than two hours of plenary deliberation.
The presentation to the Ordination Standards Committee by the
29 Overture Advocates for change built a comprehensive and compelling
case for deleting G-6.0106b from the Book of Order. In the assembly
debate, commissioner Ted Wardlaw challenged the commissioners
to "do not the safe thing but the faithful thing [and] remember
the largeness of Christ's church." Former Moderator John
Buchanan underscored the return to "basic Presbyterianism"
in the proposed action, "that precious notion that faithful
leadership decisions are made by congregations, sessions, and
presbyteries."
By a 371-208 vote, the commissioners sent to the church a constitutional
amendment to delete G-6.0106b and affirm the responsibility of
governing bodies to determine suitability for office; they also
voted to nullify the categorical prohibitions in the 1978 Authoritative
Interpretation. Some recipients of this decision rejoiced; others
did not.
The Covenant Network welcomes the faithful and bold step taken
by the General Assembly. We believe that passage of proposed
Amendment 01-A will not only encourage and strengthen the Presbyterian
Church(USA), but bring to it a new peace. Amendment A offers
the long-sought middle ground on this difficult issue. It does
not force one interpretation of Scripture on everyone. It neither
requires nor prohibits ordination of homosexual Presbyterians.
Instead, it leaves interpretation and application of the high
standards in the constitution to sessions and presbyteries. It
is a graceful "co-promise," a faithful agreement for
life together forged in humility, Scripture-guided conscience,
and mutual forbearance.
We now turn to the work of making this middle ground the place
where our church can live and serve together. We continue in
prayer for all its members. And we give thanks to God for the
opportunity before us.
Grace and peace to you.
Deborah A. Block
Pastor, Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Milwaukee, WI
Laird J. Stuart
Pastor, Calvary Presbyterian Church
San Francisco, CA