Covenant Network links its efforts to repeal ordination standard to task force's 2006 report The Layman Online Friday, October 3, 2003 The Covenant Network, proclaiming that the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s fidelity/chastity ordination standard "must be repealed," is linking its efforts for that pursuit to the findings of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. "We eagerly anticipate the Task Force's findings" when it presents its report to the 217th General Assembly in 2006, the Covenant Network's board said in a Sept. 29 statement. "We will pour our energies and our organization's resources into preparing for change. We hope that this process contributes to a successful amendment to delete G-6.0106b in 2006 at the 217th General Assembly and in the presbyteries in the year following." In the intervening time, the Covenant Network said it will "assist the church to prepare for change" by supporting "overtures to make clear that the arbitrary, contradictory, and obsolete 'Authoritative Interpretations' that pre-date G-6.0106b are no longer binding." One overture proposed for the 216th General Assembly in Richmond that seeks to repeal the "fidelity/chastity" clause already has been approved by the Presbytery of Baltimore, and another one may be considered by the Presbytery of Twin Cities. During the 215th General Assembly in Denver, the Covenant Network took flak from some of its allies for not supporting an overture that sought to repeal the ordination standard. That overture from the Presbytery of Des Moines was modeled after what was known as Amendment 01-A, which was defeated by a 3-1 margin in a referendum among the PCUSA's 173 presbyteries in 2001-02. In two previous referendums, the presbyteries first adopted and then affirmed the standard. The Presbytery of Baltimore, which on Nov. 21 refused to uphold the constitution, voted to concur with the Des Moines overture, arguing that it repeatedly has "considered and voted affirmatively on related proposals over a period of many years." In November, the Council of the Presbytery of Baltimore affirmed a presbytery-approved statement on "possible next steps" regarding the fidelity and chastity clause in the constitution. The original statement included a list of actions for consideration, such as working to make the denomination fully inclusive of its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual members; expressing its strong dissent over the "injustice" of G-6.0106b; not pursuing "any disciplinary or remedial complaints growing out of attempts to enforce the provisions of G-6.0106b;" among others. Instead of prohibiting the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexuals as a denomination-wide standard, as the constitution now requires, the Des Moines overture sought to ask Presbyterians to say that "the suitability to hold office is determined by the governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes place" – in effect, allowing local option for the selection of deacons, elders and ministers. The proposal also sought to have the presbyteries vote on whether to nullify the denomination's 1978 authoritative interpretation declaring that homosexual practice is sinful. "We believe that the presence of G-60106b, the "fidelity/chastity" standard within our Book of Order, has created a hostile and divisive environment in our church that is contrary to God's reconciling love and the spirit of our Reformed faith," the Des Moines overture says, adding: "We are greatly saddened over the increasing number of accusations and judicial cases that have arisen in recent months as a result of this measure. These trials are causing the church to spend inordinate financial and human resources defending an exclusionary policy that is not an essential of the Reformed faith, drawing precious resources away from the primary mission of the church." The Covenant Network was formed in 1997 in opposition to G-6.0106b, the constitutional standard that requires church officers to maintain fidelity in their marriages and chastity in singleness. After the Des Moines overture was announced, the organization released a statement using similar language, saying that "the presence of G-6.0106b in the Book of Order has been a source of rancor, distrust, divisiveness, and serious distraction from the great ends of the church." In addition, in a reference to an overture from the Presbytery of Donegal seeking an authoritative interpretation of G-6.0106b, the organization came to a similar conclusion - contrary to the polity of the denomination - about local option: "Responsibility for interpreting and applying Biblical and constitutional standards clearly rests with local governing bodies." In the same statement, however, the organization said that, while it will continue to seek the repeal of the ordination standard, it won't work in support of the Des Moines overture because "little more than a year since the conclusion of voting on proposed Amendment 01-A to delete G-6.0106b, we do not believe the church is ready to reconsider this question." Instead, the Covenant Network asked commissioners to refer the overture to the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church because "the church has created this group specifically to lead our discernment about 'issues of Christology, biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards and power.'" That approach didn't sit well with some of the organization's allies in the battle over the ordination standard. Bill Moss, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, said at the time that, "We implore the Covenant Network as they seek to follow God's direction for their organization to not systematically silence the voices of LGBT Presbyterians. It is important that a variety of strategies be explored and implemented as we seek to remove G-6.0106b, and this includes bringing forth overtures to accomplish this." Mary Rees, national co-moderator of That All May Freely Serve, was just as emphatic, saying that her organization "stands firmly" with "our Three Sisters (More Light Presbyterians, Shower of Stoles Project and That All May Freely Serve) and many others in the belief that the vision of a totally inclusive, welcoming Presbyterian Church (USA) must be presented at each and every General Assembly." "Those most affected by the denial to serve as elder, deacon and minister know that legislation is the only way to change the constitution. This is why bringing an overture forward every year is so important. Overtures ensure that the conversation continues, whether they pass or not," she said. The executive committee of the Witherspoon Society took a similar tack, saying that, "As the Presbyterian Church (USA) prepares to convene for the 215th General Assembly, a variety of approaches are being pursued by groups seeking to achieve our common goal of a more just and inclusive church," urging that "justice must not be postponed for the sake of a hoped-for but inauthentic 'peace' in the church." This is not the first time that an action by the Covenant Network has angered some of its allies. In 1997, leaders of More Light Presbyterians and other activists for the ordination of homosexuals registered vigorous opposition to the Covenant Network's "Call for Sabbatical." The call was promoted as "a season of peace and rest from the confrontations of recent years" and sought a break in lobbying for overtures to overturn the ordination standard during the 211th General Assembly in 1999. Officially, the Covenant Network refrained from lobbying for any of the three overtures before that General Assembly that would have dismantled G-6.0106.b or made it virtually unenforceable. During an open forum during that assembly, the Covenant Network was criticized for failing to work openly against the constitutional standard. Speakers also accused the denomination of hypocrisy, xenophobia, homophobia and misgovernment. They called for more aggressive efforts to overturn the ordination standard and cited examples of methods that could accomplish their goals, including getting more gay and lesbian church members involved in presbyteries. Jane Spahr, a self-described "lesbian evangelist" who earlier had received a "Women in Faith" award, said, "Don't wait for the church to act. I'm going to storm this country until you collapse and say yes." She said the sabbatical "is killing us. You cannot take a sabbatical on truth or justice. Everybody wants to be on a sabbatical, but Jesus said, 'If you are lukewarm, honey, you aren't mine.'"

Respond to this article

Home · Archives · The Layman · PLC Publications Presbyterian Lay Committee · Feedback · Links