| Overture from
Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area On Reforming Application of our
Ordination Standards to Homosexual Persons
[published here on 1-15-01]
The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area respectfully
overtures the 213th General Assembly (2001) of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its Stated Clerk to take the
following actions:
(1) to send the following amendment to the
presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
Shall G-6.0106(b) be deleted in its entirely?
and
(2) to issue the following Authoritative
Interpretation, that: the interpretive statements concerning ordained
service by homosexual persons by the 190th General Assembly
(1978) of The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States, and all subsequent authoritative
interpretations by the General Assembly adopted during its annual
meetings, shall be given no further force or effect; and G-6.0106(a) of
the Form of Government, together with other prerequisites for ordination
expressly stated in our Book of Order, are hereby affirmed as
the foundational standards for ordination by ordaining bodies acting in
prayerful discernment of the leading of Almighty God.
Rationale
Jesus' ministry on earth was to "draw all people
to [him]self." (John 12:32) His followers included those who were
viewed by his own people as outsiders, yet they too were members of the
flock to which he was the shepherd. (John 10: 16)
The early Church, as it struggled with the meaning of
the old Law and the new freedom in Christ, concluded that Christ has
"abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he
might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus
making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through
the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it."
(Ephesians 2:15-16)
The reconciling work of Christ invites us into a new
freedom, and into a "ministry of reconciliation." (2
Corinthians 5:18)
The Christian community is called to show hospitality
to all persons, extending the welcome of Christ to persons whom some of
us might find unfamiliar or uncomfortable. (Romans 12:13)
The community of faith also is called to live in
harmony as a way of giving glory to God, and to avoid quarreling and
division. (Romans 15:56; 1 Corinthians 1:10)
The community of faith is to aim at the building up of
those who strive to follow Christ, rather than judging and criticizing
one another. (Romans 15:2; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-15; I
Thessalonians 5:11-13; Matthew 7:1-4)
While persons of sincere faith and good conscience may
disagree on what constitutes 'sin,' all are sinners, among whom there is
no distinction, for all are saved by grace alone. (Romans 3:19-24;
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3- 5)
The Confessions of our church are valuable guides in
our decisions about ordination and many other issues, but they are
always subordinate to the authority of Jesus Christ and to Scripture.
(Book of Order, G-1.0307 and G-2.0200; Book of Confessions, 3.18-20,
5.011-14, 6.010, and 9.03)
The historic affirmation is that "God alone is
Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or
beside it, in matters of faith or worship." (Book of Order,
G-1.0301; see also G-1.0305 and G-1.0307; Book of Confessions, 5 010-14,
6.109, 6.174-75, 7.215, and 8.20-21)
The Church "is called to be a sign in and for the
world of the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus
Christ," reflecting the realities that "(1) Sin is forgiven.
(2) Reconciliation is accomplished. (3) The dividing walls of hostility
are torn down." (Book of Order, G-3.0200) This leads to an
affirmation of diversity and the welcoming inclusion of all people.
(Book of Order, G-3.0401, 0-40203, G-4.0401, G-4.0402, G 4.0403,
G-5.0103, G-5.0202, and G-9.0104; Book of Confessions, 9.06-07, 9.10,
9.19-20, 9.22, 9.29, 9.31-33, and 9.44)
The Church is called to be open to God's continuing
reformation "according to the Word of God and the call of the
Spirit." (Book of Order, G-2.0200; see also G-3.0401, G-4.0303,
G-10.0102j, and G-18.0101; Book of Confessions, 9.03 and 9.29)
We understand our polity and system of ordination to
mean that leaders are called by God and confirmed by the people, and
that all members whose manner of life demonstrates the gospel and who
possess the gifts and training for leadership should have opportunities
to participate in leadership. In faithfulness to our call to be good
stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we would affirm and enable
ordained service and outreach by all in whom we discern a call to serve.
(Book of Order, G-1.0306, G- 4.0402, G-4.0403, G-6.0102,
G-6.0107, G-7.0103, 0-10.01021, G- 14.0201, and G-14.0204)
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