E. Oklahoma Presbytery affirms requirements for officers' behavior

E. Oklahoma Presbytery affirms requirements for officers' behavior *The Layman Online* Thursday, December 7, 2006 The Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma has decided it will accept "scruples" from candidates for ordination, but not deviation from the behavior that is required in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Eastern Oklahoma policy, which was adopted four months after the presbytery began considering how to respond to the authoritative interpretation of the 2006 General Assembly, was drafted in language that is quite different from most of the proposals that have been submitted to 33 other presbyteries. But its conclusion – that "only beliefs may be scrupled, not behavior" – is that candidates may be judged eligible for ordination if they scruple some doctrines but not behavioral requirements, such as the "fidelity/chastity" standard in the Book of Order. The policy does not specifically state which doctrines may be acceptably scrupled. But the original, 24-page draft of the policy does list three in which possible variances will be allowed, including: "Substitutionary theory of atonement (vs. other acceptable theories of atonement)" "Inerrancy of Scripture (vs. Scripture as our 'infallible rule of faith and practice')" "Double predestination (vs. other Reformed understandings of the doctrine of election)" According to a Dec. 5 press release sent to The Layman Online by the presbytery, the new policy, which was slightly amended on the floor, states: "...acceptance of a 'scruple' acknowledges that a candidate disagrees in principle with a provision of the Constitution or interpretation of Scripture which the examining body determines to be 'non-essential' to Reformed faith and polity, but does not condone or forgive departure in practice from essentials described in the Book of Confessions or Book of Order. No governing body may exempt itself from adhering to any mandatory provisions of the Constitution (Londonderry). Stated more simply in the Preface of the Book of Order: 'In this Book of Order (1) SHALL and IS TO BE/ARE TO BE signify practice that is mandated, (2) SHOULD signifies practice that is strongly recommended, (3) IS APPROPRIATE signifies practice that is commended as suitable, (4) MAY signifies practice that is permissible but not required.' "In practice, these principles suggest that, should issues arise about a particular matter of doctrine, polity, or practice, the examining body has an obligation to allow the candidate to explain the nature of his or her reservations. Then, the examining body should also determine whether the reservations would prevent the candidate from complying with the mandatory requirements of the Constitution. The depth, quality and clarity of the candidate's own personal faith may be considered as part of their decision. But the governing body may not accept the candidate's statement of reservation, no matter how well articulated, if that candidate is unwilling to comply with all constitutional requirements. A decision not to ordain or install should not be considered a rejection of the candidate's conscience, but as a candidate's failure to affirm the ordination vow requiring all officers to abide by the polity of the church." "In summary, the standards for examination in Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery (and recommended standards for Sessions with Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery) include the following assumptions: only beliefs may be scrupled, not behaviors scrupling applies to current belief and does not permit violation of the Constitution no governing body may exempt itself from mandatory provisions of the Constitution examining bodies may not reject a scruple based on an a priori list of essentials without weighing the candidate's defense of the scruple irregular examinations and decisions to ordain or install are subject to review as to their conformity to process and compliance with constitutional requirements." The policy was adopted after a cooperative effort between the presbytery's Committee on Ministry and Committee on Preparation for Ministry. The policy seeks to interpret for the presbytery and its sessions the significance of the authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 approved by the 217th General Assembly. A series of appendices, resources and guidelines are offered for the examination of ministers, commissioned lay pastors, inquirers, candidates, elders and deacons.


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