 Commissioners decide to leave ordination issue in hands of 'PUP' By John H. Adams The Layman Online Monday, June 2, 2003
Instead, commissioners voted 431-92 Friday afternoon to bide some time, leaving the issue in the hands of the PCUSA's Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity – which some dub "PUP" – and calling on Presbyterians to pray for the task force members. They also rejected a proposal to invalidate the authoritative interpretation that defines homosexual practice as sinful. The majority of the commissioners were obviously looking over their shoulders. Several expressed concern that a fourth referendum on the issue since 1997 would further damage a collapsing denomination that lost 41,000 members in 2002. During the debate on the issue, the Rev. Tom Sweets of Cincinnati summed up that concern. "Any motion to remove G-6.0106b or our authoritative interpretation would be irresponsible and divisive," he said. "There's a great unity at this assembly to not pass the overture proposed. Various ones in leadership have told me this would be a disaster." "Even you, madam moderator, said this was not the time." Moderator gives gays a platform That last sentence was directed to Susan R. Andrews, who was elected moderator of the 215th General Assembly earlier in the week. Andrews, who is a director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, favors ordaining practicing homosexuals. And while she remained impartial during the debate, Andrews did give opponents of the ordination prohibition a platform to express their disapproval of the General Assembly's decision at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon session. She did that in three ways. First, after having been commended for her leadership in the process of consideration of this issue, she spoke on a personal level and said that she had a sadness and pain in her heart for "many … who continue to feel left out." Then, she asked Bill Moss, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians to give the closing prayer – which turned out to be part sermon, part prayer and affirmation of "our faithfulness" for working to overturn the Biblically based ordination standard. And, before Moss began to pray, she asked all the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people to stand – as well as commissioners who had family members who are of those persuasions. Outside the assembly hall, about 50 of the More Light contingent, arm in arm, held a demonstration. "Jesus loves me, this I know," they sang, "but the church tells me no." Leaders opposed referendum But Andrews was numbered among those moderators who, said Fahed Abu-Akel, moderator of the 214th General Assembly, agreed that the time was wrong for another ballot initiative on ordination standards. The ordination issue is already on the agenda of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity, along with Christology, the authority and interpretation of Scripture and divvying up power in the denomination. But the task force has met for two years without debating any of those issues, and, this week, the panel received authorization to conduct its theological discussions behind closed doors. Asked for assurance that the Theological Task Force would consider the issue of ordination requirements, Jack Haberer, a member of the task force and president of Presbyterians for Renewal, said, "I would simply say this is a very significant part of that mandate." The debate over whether to require another referendum on G-6.0106b was relatively calm in comparison with past years – and briefer. It lasted less than an hour – with 18 commissioners – nine speakers on each side of the issue – getting two minutes each. Earlier, the General Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry held a three-hour debate. Appealing for buying time Before the full General Assembly, the Rev. Fitz Neal of the Presbytery of Indian Nations turned one of the mantras of the gay-ordination movement into a case for not having another referendum. "Justice delayed may be justice denied," Neal said. "But, at the same time, decisions rushed are decisions regretted." It was Neal who introduced the motion to leave the ordination issue in the hands of the task force in lieu of approving the recommendation of the General Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry. With 14 youth advisory delegates – most of whom favored gay ordination – the committee voted 35-29 to call for another vote on a constitutional amendment. John Bryan of the Presbytery of San Diego argued that "one of the primary reasons for creating the Theological Task Force in 2001 was to create a body … with a multiple spectrum across the denomination." Based on their individual affiliations with special interest groups and observations of their meetings over the last two years, it appears that the task force is about evenly divided between members who favor ordaining homosexuals and those who don't. But that roughly 50-50 split is much closer than the view from the pews. Presbyterian polls have consistently showed that about two-thirds of the members of the denomination are opposed to ordaining homosexuals. And, in the 2001-2002 referendum on a proposal to repeal the ordination requirement, nearly 75 percent of the denomination's presbyteries voted no. Some favor referendum But many of the commissioners in favor of ordaining homosexuals wanted the 215th General Assembly to put G-6.0106b back on the ballot this year. The constitutional standard is a "pain for those who are denied full access to use their gifts," said the Rev. Robert Bidwell of the Presbytery of Maumee Valley. "Undeniable gifts but denied ordination stand in the way of God's call," the Rev. Meg Rift of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky said. "If we were they, would we seek another church in which to serve? Neither do they." "The time was when I, an Asian woman, would not be able to serve," said Anita Owyang, a youth advisory delegate. "Allow presbyteries to decide – locally – who is qualified." 'This is not the time' But David Kincaid of the Presbytery of Des Moines, the presbytery that submitted the overture to repeal G-6.0106b, said, "This is not the time. People in congregations are becoming frustrated with the continuing voting." Many – if not most – of the arguments in favor of ordaining homosexuals were based on personal experience, not Scripture or church history. Hopkin Rowlands, an elder from the Presbytery of Lackawanna, talked about his experiences in his family. "I was married for many years to a marvelous woman," he said. "Because of the forces in society, she was unable to tell me until just before her death that she was gay. Also, my brother, when he was dying of AIDS was unable to find a church home. Commissioners, there is a real pain out there." The last word But the last word on the issue may have come from an answer to prayer, as recounted by Linwood Everson, an elder from the Presbytery of Central Florida. Declaring that he was uneducated compared to the doctors, lawyers and ministers at the General Assembly, Everson said, "Last night, I was studying this issue. I turned to prayer. I assume that last night everybody in this room was praying. When I asked for guidance, He said, 'Just a minute.' I'm convinced that God is telling us to wait just a minute." Or longer. The Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity will not make its report until the 217th General Assembly meets in 2006. |
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