The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s high court rulings this week upholding the chastity requirement for gay ministers is expected to douse years of fiery debate over a controversial decision on ordination standards.
Since the 2006 General Assembly adoption of an "authoritative interpretation" of the ordination standard, the national body has been wracked with confusion with many seeking clarity over what the decision means, notably for gay ordination. Some felt the decision gave leeway to local and regional governing bodies to ordain practicing gay ministers, pushing several churches to leave the PC(USA) over its seemingly liberal direction on homosexuality.
But in three separate decisions on Monday, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) ruled that candidates for ordination must follow the sexual behavior standards of fidelity and chastity and no ordaining body has the right to ordain a candidate in violation of those constitutional standards.
Unless there is a constitutional amendment to the standard, ordaining bodies must adhere to it.
Essentially, the rulings clarify that the 2006 decision did not change the denomination's standards requiring "fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman" or "chastity in singleness."
The decisions are a "huge deal," says Michael Walker, a Theologian-in-Residence at the prominent conservative Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
Although the rulings were made in local cases – Presbyteries of Pittsburgh, Olympia and Washington – the landmark decisions are believed to apply to the entire national church.
"What was at stake was how to interpret the constitution and the constitution is binding on the entire church," Walker told The Christian Post. "So the ruling applies to all of the governing bodies of the PC(USA)."
Walker believes recent decisions by other local presbyteries in favor of ordaining openly gay ministers who have rejected the constitutional requirement will not stand.
Last month, Lisa Larges, a lesbian who refused to comply with the ordination standard, received support from the San Francisco Presbytery when she made a third bid to join the clergy. The presbytery approved Larges' application for ministry despite warnings that the action violated the church's constitution. The approval was seen as the first national test of the "authoritative interpretation" adopted by the 2006 General Assembly.
Also in recent weeks, Presbyterians in Minnesota voted to restore the ordination of an openly gay man who has refused to pledge celibacy – a decision also testing the 2006 policy.
The GAPJC clarified in this week’s rulings that church officials are allowed to express disagreement with the wording or meaning of provisions of the constitution. But they are not permitted to disobey those behavioral standards.
In other words, church officials do not have to conform to all the standards and beliefs of the national church, but they do have to live by them, Walker of Highland Park explained.
Following the high court's rulings, Walker said he believes the PC(USA) is still a good place for orthodox believers despite some areas of discontentment.
"Like any church, some things about the denomination we're praying for some improvement," he said. "But at the same time, there are a lot of signs of God's continuing presence and activity in the life of this denomination."
Several churches, however, have already withdrawn from the PC(USA). Many conservative churches have said the issue goes beyond homosexuality and are leaving over the denomination's liberal direction on Scripture. But some specifically cited the 2006 "authoritative interpretation" adoption as their cause for leaving, Walker noted.
Walker believes this week's rulings gives conservative churches that are still considering withdrawal a "cause for pause."
"What we have found in these high court rulings is the Presbyterian constitution still works and it has turned out that the GA (2006 General Assembly) decision did not have the negative consequences that many people feared it would have," he highlighted.
The latest court decisions are expected to help shape the debate over homosexuality at the upcoming PC(USA) General Assembly in June 2008. Supporters of gay rights are already pushing for an amendment to the ordination standard of fidelity and chastity.
Comments
Obviously, the sow has not been washed or it has returned to its wallowing. "Yes all that live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, And when you think maybe it will get better. "but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being decieved.
But continue you in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them ."
Quecat got it right each time,
In case you are still thinking about it: how can a practising Gay and Lesbian adhere to Fidelity and Chastity? They cannot. What a naive politically correct way of viewing things.
Lisa Large was being honest when she said although she is ordained to be a clergy in the PCUSA, she is still going to the BYOB party swap-a-rama thing, GLBT lust-nest weekend getaway, ACLU big kahuna orgy etc. At least going out to the Gay Lesbian bar once in a while for variety.
Quecat,
Well said on both posts!
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20
I praise God for this decision, as it will be key for the health of the PCUSA.
The militant homosexual movement accuses the church of hatred and slings wild hyperbole to bolster their arguments that fly in the face of both scripture and reality.
There is no hatred, only Christians whose hearts ache to see those that would be their brothers and sisters in Christ, repent of their sin and be welcomed in fellowship.
I can think of no other sin where the sinner has the nerve to walk into a church and in pride and boasting, outright deny scripture, deny that his sin is a sin, and demand that those of the fellowship compromise their view of scripture to accomodate him, else be labelled a hater, bigot, etc.,etc., etc., ad nauseum.
The way is narrow, Christ's claims are exclusive and God is the intolerant one- intolerant of sin.
Repent.
Maranatha!
SheQuon,
Regardless of what you feel about this denomination or other "right-wing Christians" Certainly this denomination has a right to choose how it want's to practice it's religion.
And just like you said, people who don't like it, can go to a different religion/denomination. I'm not sure why it's so upsetting... This is what is great about America, if you disagree with how the religion practices it's faith, leave that religion and if it is truly "wrong" few or none will follow it.
Hurrah for some common sense !
Eph 5:3-7 "But FORNICATION, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
fornication = Greek 'porneia' - illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
1Cr 5:9-13 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people–
not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
Accept the repentant? Most certainly! Accept the unrepentant as a brother? God forbid!
God calls it an abomination! Got a problem with it? Talk to Him.
In the mean time, excuse me if I reject your moral relativism.
ANOTHER open letter to practicing homosexuals who wish to be clergy: (supplemented)
Fornication and homosexual behavior are inconsistent with the Bible. (But slavery and infanticide are cmpletely consistent!)
Perhaps you should try Buddhism or Scientology. (And if these "Christians" keep it up, many heterosexuals will leave and try them also!)
By refusing to obey (what right-wing Christians SAY is) Biblical authority, you are exposing the "family" focusers--the Dobsons, the Robersons, the Haggards, the Clark Warrens--for who they are.
An open letter to practicing homosexuals who wish to be clergy:
Be faithful to your spouses. But more than anything, BE DISCRETE. No one will be the wiser.
An open letter to practicing homosexuals who wish to be clergy:
Fornication and homosexual behavior are inconsistent with the Bible.
Perhaps you should try Buddhism or Scientology. Either that or repent, go forth, and sin no more. By refusing to obey Biblical authority, and teaching others that it is OK to flaunt Biblical authority, you are putting souls at risk.
"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. " Mark 9:42 NIV