Christ Church, Presbyterian
Burlington, VT
Statement of Compliance with
G-6.0106b
of the PC(U.S.A.) Book of Order
[12-10-02]
Since paragraph G-6.0106b was enacted in 1997, Christ
Church, Presbyterian has struggled mightily with how to extend fully the
grace and hospitality of Jesus Christ to our gay and lesbian brothers
and sisters, while at the same time remaining faithful to the Church's
constitution.
In June 1998, Christ Church, Presbyterian's Report to
the Presbytery of Northern New England stated that we had not found a
way to be in compliance with G-6.0106b without harming deeply the church
community that we are called to lead. We also believed that no
congregation could be fully in compliance with G-6.0106b without
violating numerous other provisions in the Book of Order that clearly
mandate an inclusive church.
Since then we have been prayerfully listening to the
wider Church and we have heard many voices.
· We have
heard the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in its Londonderry vs. The
Presbytery of Northern New England decision. "The Commission
finds that there are no constitutional grounds for a governing body to
fail to comply with an express provision of the Constitution,
however inartfully stated. Assertions of inconsistency, confusion, or
ambiguity may justify the right to protest. They do not create a right
to disregard any part of the Constitution."
· We have
also heard the GA-PJC state in the same decision, "It is not
unusual for a document such as our Constitution, written at
different periods of time and under different circumstances, to exhibit
tensions and ambiguities in its provisions. Nevertheless, it is the
task of governing bodies and judicial commissions to resolve them in
such a way as to give effect to all provisions." (emphasis
added)
· We have
listened attentively as the Presbytery of Northern New England
graciously exercised pastoral care and guidance, assisting us in
fulfilling our obligation to comply with the Constitution.
· While
supportive of Amendment A from the 213th General Assembly in 2001, we
have heard the wider Church when the amendment failed to be ratified by
a majority of the Presbyteries.
· We have
listened with great interest to recent GA-PJC rulings in the Stamford
and Wier proceedings.
In assessing all that we have heard, the Session
concluded that the April 1997 Resolution (of conscience) and our 1998
Report to the Presbytery of Northern New England were no longer
appropriate under the circumstances. Consequently, on June 2, 2002, the
Session unanimously adopted the following statement:
"We have been engaged in a continuing
process of congregational discernment in light of the GA-PJC decision
in Londonderry Presbyterian Church vs. Presbytery of
Northern New England, the help we have received from the Pastoral
Committee established by the Presbytery pursuant to this decision, and
recent PJC decisions interpreting and applying G-6.0106b. The Session
of Christ Church, Presbyterian, grateful for new opportunities for
creative witness on an issue it cares deeply about, hereby sets aside
our Resolution of April 20, 1997, and the Report of June 18, 1998, so
that we can clarify and strengthen our statement of present
conviction."
In Londonderry vs. the Presbytery of
Northern New England, the GA-PJC challenged us (and the Church as a
whole) to find a way of resolving tensions and ambiguities in the
Constitution in such a way as makes effective all of its provisions. At
the time of the PJC decision, this seemed a daunting challenge. But
today, following a period of study, dialogue, discernment, listening and
prayer, we now realize that the task can be accomplished.
Whereas in June of 1998 we had not found a way to
reconcile G-6.0106b with other provisions in the Book of Order calling
for full inclusiveness, we now have. Our error was in leaving the
interpretation of G-6.0106b to others, rather than exploring for
ourselves what it is that G-6.0106b actually says. After closer
examination as instructed by the GA-PJC in Londonderry vs.
the Presbytery of Northern New England, we now realize that our
church's stand on inclusiveness, the Constitution's
requirements for inclusiveness, and the provisions of G-6.0106b are not
mutually exclusive. When properly and faithfully interpreted, G-6.0106b
and other constitutional requirements for inclusiveness can co-exist.
Let us, then, examine the provisions of G-6.0106b and
assess whether or not they constitute a bar to ordination of gay and
lesbian persons of faith:
"G-6.0106b:
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in
obedience to Scripture…
The interpretation of scriptural passages related to
homosexuality has been a core issue dividing Presbyterians for decades
now. Countless books and articles, debates on the floors of
presbyteries and pronouncements from biblical scholars of every stripe
have failed to resolve the issue. We shall not attempt to resolve it
here, except to state that it is our conviction that scripture, taken
as a whole, proclaims the Good News of God's everlasting love. We take
as our guidance the overarching commandment given to us by our Lord,
Jesus Christ, that we are to love God with all our heart and soul and
mind; and that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We have studied scripture, including the six
passages of Old and New Testament that are commonly cited as
condemning homosexuality. When placed in their proper historical
context, these passages are subject to differing
interpretations--especially so when viewed through the twin lenses of
science and human experience.
Does the Bible clearly condemn homosexuality and
loving homosexual relationships? We believe that it does not. And our
right of scriptural interpretation is protected by Paragraphs G-1.0301
and G-6.0108 of the Book of Order.
"…and in conformity to the
historic confessional standards of the church.
The larger Westminster Catechism (7.249)
condemns "unnatural lust" and "sodomy." But there
is no clear agreement on how these terms are to be defined and used.
"Unnatural" could apply to a homosexual involved in a sexual
relationship with a heterosexual. "Lust" may be understood
as uncontrolled, illicit, or obsessive sexual interest--not the kind
of sexual sharing manifested in a loving and faithful relationship.
"Sodomy" has many meanings, some of which
include heterosexual acts. Other interpretations include rape,
injustice, oppression, cruelty, deceit, greed, idolatry, inhospitality
and hypocrisy. We find no indictment of loving and committed
homosexual relationships.
The translation of the Heidelberg Catechism
(4.087) as currently used in our Book of Confessions condemns
"homosexual perversion." However, most scholars agree that
the original language referred to "(an) unchaste person,
idolater, adulterer." In fact, the word "homosexual"
didn't even exist when the Heidelberg Catechism was written.
Further, 'homosexual perversion' no more condemns all homosexual acts
than 'heterosexual perversion' condemns all heterosexual acts. In
short, we do not believe that our Confessions condemn all homosexual
practice.
"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.
Chastity does not mean celibacy. In fact, our
Confessions warn us that vows of celibacy in service to the church
constitute "superstitious and sinful snares, in which no
Christian may entangle himself." (6.126; 7.249)
Other possible interpretations of the word
"chastity" include moderation, seriousness, monogamy,
modesty and respect. Therefore, "living chastely in
singleness" does not constitute a ban on committed homosexual
relationships.
"Persons refusing to repent…
Our Confessions establish that
"repentance" is a state of inward conviction about the
wrongfulness of one's acts. Many homosexuals believe that their
relationship with a same-sex partner is a gift from God, a good and
natural part of God's creation that can be responsibly acted on.
Further, our Confessions state that repentance is a sheer gift of God
and not a work of our strength. Accordingly, refusing to repent should
not be assumed from a mere refusal to acquiesce in the views of a
narrow majority.
"…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."
Again, we are back to our Confessions and whether or
not they proclaim homosexual relationships to be sinful. As stated
earlier, it is far from clear that they do and, indeed, it is our
conviction that loving homosexual relationships are neither more nor
less likely to be sinful than loving heterosexual relationships.
We are reminded of the GA-PJC admonition to give
effect to all parts of the Constitution. In the foregoing, we
have addressed specifically the provisions of G-6.0106b; but we must not
overlook the preceding paragraph in the Book of Order,
G-6.0106a, which provides in positive terms the qualifications for
ordination: "(Candidates) should be persons of strong faith,
dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel
in the church and in the world." While we cannot overlook
potentially negative traits that might disqualify candidates from
leadership in the church, we must--and will--give significant attention
to the qualities called for in G-6.0106a.
In giving effect to all parts of the
Constitution, we affirm that "God has put all things under the
Lordship of Jesus Christ and has made Christ Head of the Church, which
is his body." We confirm that membership, and all rights of
membership, are based solely on one's profession of faith. We hold high
the right of the people to choose their own leaders. We believe in
giving full expression to the rich diversity within our membership. We
believe in welcoming all who respond in trust and obedience to God's
grace in Jesus Christ. We affirm that all active members are entitled to
the privileges of the church, including the right to vote and hold
office. We pledge to continue working for reconciliation and unity in
the midst of our diversity, and, in so doing, we pledge forbearance
towards those who differ with us and ask the same of them. And we remain
open to God's continuing reformation of the Church.
With full confidence that we are abiding with the Constitution,
including the provisions of G-6.0106b, the Session of Christ Church,
Presbyterian vows to continue welcoming persons living singly or in
committed relationships, regardless of sexual orientation, into the
life, membership and leadership of this congregation on an equal basis,
including eligibility for election and ordination as a ruling elder or
deacon.
Adopted by the Session
November 11, 2002
