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MODERATOR’S LETTER TO BEAVER BUTLER PRESBYTERY May 11, 2011
At its meeting
last summer, the General Assembly proposed a change to the PC(USA)’s
ordination standards stipulated in G-6.0106b of our constitution’s
Form of Government. This proposal required approval by a majority of
our denomination’s 173 presbyteries. Unlike previous proposals to
amend this clause, the change has been approved as of May 10, with
the 87th
presbytery voting in favor of it.
These new standards for ordination will take effect in July. While
the change will affect other issues, the primary concern surrounding
this debate has been the ordination of self-acknowledged,
practicing, unrepentant homosexuals. This issue has deeply divided
our denomination for decades, and the change will encourage some and
will trouble others. It’s good for us to know exactly what the new
policy is, and what the change will mean for us. First, the
previous clause stated: “Those who are
called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to
Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards
of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live
either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and
a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to
repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call
sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or
ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”
and it will be
replaced with the following clause: “Standards for
ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to
the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The
governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation
(G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling,
gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of
office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a
determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill
all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for
ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be
guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to
individual candidates.” The effect of this
change is to do away with a denominationally uniform standard for
ordination and installation, and to empower each ordaining body
(sessions for elders and deacons, presbyteries for ministers) to
evaluate each candidate and determine their suitability. Because
each session and presbytery is likely to have its own particular
perspective on this matter, we are likely to have a wide variety of
standards in place. It is important to emphasize that no new
standards for ordination are being imposed upon sessions and
presbyteries. More specifically, if a session or presbytery believes
that unrepentant homosexual conduct or sexual activity outside of
marriage disqualifies a candidate for ordination, then that body
will be free to act upon its conviction and refuse ordination for
such persons, or installation for service if they have previously
been ordained by another session or presbytery. What does this
change mean for Beaver-Butler Presbytery? Although this change is a
major shift for the denomination, our Presbytery’s standards for
ordination will remain the same. While each
candidate for ordination is considered individually, our Presbytery
has established policies related to this matter. In 2002 we adopted
an Affirmation of Faith which states, in part: “We affirm that
anarchy in sexual relationships is a symptom of our alienation from
God, neighbor, and self and that the church is called to lead people
out of this alienation and into the responsible freedom of the new
life in Christ. We believe that God has provided for sexual intimacy
only within the marriage relationship between one man and one
woman.” In 2009 the
Presbytery adopted an Open Theological Declaration which states, in
part: “We will
continue to uphold biblical standards for ordination, particularly
in areas of sexuality…. We will not recognize ordinations that are
constitutionally or biblically unsustainable. We will closely
examine each candidate seeking admission to our Presbytery. We will
not ordain candidates whose behavior violates the clear meaning of
G6.0106b of the Book of Order
[the clause which will be removed].” Practices in
Beaver-Butler Presbytery have affirmed and confirmed these policies.
Unless an unexpected and dramatic change occurs in the policies and
practices of our Presbytery, we will continue to follow the old
standards of “fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness,” in
full compliance with the new constitutional criteria. According to the
new clause in the constitution, each session will conduct an
examination of candidates for ordination as elders and deacons
according to its understanding of Scriptural and confessional
standards. Our stated clerk has ruled that the policy of our
Presbytery applies to its churches’ sessions and to its minister
members as well. Candidates for ordination and installation as
elders and deacons in our churches must also comply with the
“fidelity and chastity” criteria. Please join me in
prayer that this change in our constitution will not cause undue
consternation or divisiveness in our fellowship and, more
importantly, that we serve and glorify our Lord and Savior in all we
believe, say, and do. In Christ, Rev. Peter C. de
Vries, PhD Moderator, Beaver-Butler Presbytery
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