Peter K. Nord, Executive Presbyter, has explained this important action in an open letter.

November 19, 2004

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united the same mind and the same purpose.          I Corinthians 1:10

 

To the Christians of the Presbytery of Baltimore

Last night the Presbytery voted 51-35 to support the resolution put forth by Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church. This resolution puts the Presbytery on record as supporting civil marriage for same gender couples, becoming a signatory on an amicus brief which will be filed in a judicial case that would support such marriage, and directing our public advocacy efforts to lobby against those actions which would limit such marriages.

It is important to remember that this action neither changes nor challenges the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church. The Constitution defines marriage as occurring between one man and one woman and does not permit Presbyterian ministers to perform marriages for same gender couples.

Seven sessions went on record supporting Brown Memorial-Park Avenue's resolution, and individual presbyters are pleased with this action which they understand to be a vote for justice and equality. Other sessions either urged no action or defeat -- in some cases out of concern for what this resolution will do to the peace, unity, and purity of the church or because they feel in their heart that civil marriage violates their understanding of scripture.

As Presbyterians we have always followed John Calvin's admonition to hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. We recognize that God is sovereign over all and that it is appropriate for us to advocate so that the Kingdom of God is exhibited on earth. Throughout our history we have disagreed with each other to the very core of our being -- about things such as slavery, prohibition, the ordination of women, and divorce. And there have been periods when these disagreements have torn the very fabric of our being.

I firmly believe that both the will of God and the discernment of the way of God comes forth from the exchange of beliefs. When opposing views are held in tension, we are more likely to discern more of God's truth than when this tension is set aside.

For those who are most discomforted by the decision of Presbytery, I write to say that I know how painful these actions are for you. I hold you in my prayers and invite the Presbytery to join me in those prayers. I am confident that the last Word has not yet been heard. In the coming weeks, I will be inviting a group of the more moderate voices to come together to look at how we do our work as a Presbytery, and I hope that you will support them in their efforts as well.

In the meantime, I pray that your hearts will be filled with the season -- thanksgiving for the blessings of God and the ministries in which we are engaged both locally and beyond the local church -- and openness to the incarnational spirit of God which comes to us in both the infant Jesus and the most unexpected ways.

Blessings,

Peter Nord