Mid-South Presbytery votes to affirm PCUSA ordination requirements The Layman Online Friday, October 20, 2006 Presbyteries responding to calls for Constitutional enforcement Presbytery Congs. Members Actions 1 Central Florida 74 29,905 Affirmed constitutional standards 2 Donegal 62 22,822 Resolution under review 3 Eastminster 54 11,578 Seven resolutions under review 4 Holston 66 8,367 Referred to Bills and Overtures 5 Mississippi 46 6,205 Affirmed constitutional standards 6 Pittsburgh 153 43,855 Affirmed constitutional standards 7 Sacramento 42 15,941 Affirmed constitutional standards 8 San Diego 31 16,741 Affirmed constitutional standards 9 San Francisco 77 28,132 Considers competing proposals 10 Scioto Valley 113 23,940 Review scheduled 11 Sierra Blanca 22 2,162 Under review 12 Utah 24 4,009 Review at Oct. 13-14 meeting 13 Western N.C. 115 19,937 Affirmed standards but approved exemption on case-by-case basis 14 Whitewater Valley 68 23,289 Second reading Dec. 6 15 South Louisiana 67 10,322 Affirmed constitutional standards 16 New Covenant 109 39,416 Affirmed constitutional standards 17 Beaver-Butler 87 15,329 Affirmed constitutional standards 18 James 113 28,259 Vote on Oct. 10 19 San Joaquin 34 7,980 Affirmed constitutional standards 20 Olympia 50 10,800 Affirmed constitutional standards 21 Santa Barbara 30 9,378 Under review 22 Santa Fe 43 7,118 Under review 23 Mid-South 65 11,023 Affirmed constitutional standards The Presbytery of the Mid-South in Tennessee has declared "that all constitutional requirements for ordination, including G-6.0106b in the Book of Order, are binding on all the sessions and presbyteries in the PCUSA … and none are subject to being considered 'non-essential' by any governing body of the Church." The resolution was approved by a margin of 79-44 during a presbytery meeting on Oct. 17. The resolution also included a section on local church property and dismissing congregations. It called for a presbytery task force to "create a short and simple method by which congregations within our bounds can be dismissed from the PCUSA in possession of their property in compliance with the constitution. Such method must contain protections for the pastors and elders of congregations wishing to institute this procedure so that there can be no action taken against them during the period required for the process." By its action, the Presbytery of the Mid-South joined a growing number of presbyteries that have declared that they will adhere to the ordination requirements despite the 2006 General Assembly's authoritative interpretation that allows ordaining bodies to decide whether those requirements are "essential." The Mid-South resolution also affirmed "the principle that compliance with the mandatory standards for ordination adopted by the whole church in the Book of Order is an essential of Reformed polity. Therefore, any departure from the mandatory standards … will bar a candidate from ordination and/or installation by this governing body." The full text of the resolution: The Presbytery of the Mid-South does hereby declare as follows: 1.That the Presbytery of the Mid-South ("Presbytery" or "Presbytery of the Mid-South") reaffirms in every aspect of its decision making a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church and the Word of God, as the one who gives to His Church its faith and life, its unity and mission, its officers and ordinances. (BO, G-1.0100c, G2.0200, G14-0207, G-14.0405b) 2. The Presbytery of the Mid-South affirms its conviction that all constitutional requirements for ordination, including G-6.0106b of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ("PCUSA"), are binding on all the sessions and presbyteries of the PCUSA, including the Presbytery of the Mid-South, and none are subject to being considered "non-essential" by any governing body of the Church. The Presbytery specifically declares that all provisions of the constitution using the word "shall" are not ambiguous, do not require authoritative interpretation, and are binding on all churches, governing bodies and ordained persons within its bounds. No ordinations may be made or recognized within the bounds of this Presbytery in violation of any mandatory provision of the Book of Order, including without limitation, G-6.0106b. 3. In its discernment of the essentials of Reformed polity and for the sake of the peace, unity, and purity of the church, the Presbytery of the Mid-South adopts the principle that compliance with the mandatory standards for ordination adopted by the whole church in the Book of Order is an essential of Reformed polity. Therefore, any departure from the mandatory standards for ordination expressed in the Book of Order will bar a candidate from ordination and/or installation by this governing body. Provisions of the Book of Order are signified as being mandatory standards by use of the term "shall," "is/are to be," "requirement," or equivalent expression. These terms are not ambiguous, do not require authoritative interpretation, and are binding on all churches, governing bodies and ordained persons within its bounds. 4. The Presbytery of the Mid-South declares itself to be a constitutional presbytery in fellowship with other governing bodies that covenant to maintain constitutional integrity, and we urge all the Sessions within our bounds to study matters related to this crisis and to declare themselves on the issues raised by the actions of the 217th General Assembly. 5. That the Presbytery create a Task Force on Denominational Relations that will report to the Presbytery in two areas: a. Suggestion of possible changes in national denominational structures and relationships including a potential Overture from our Presbytery to the 218th General Assembly that would affirm the binding nature of our polity as embodied in our Book of Order and suggest amendments to better reflect a Reformed polity attuned to the new generation of Presbyterians. b. Creation of a short and simple method by which congregations within our bounds can be dismissed from the PCUSA in possession of their property in compliance with the constitution. Such method must contain protections for the pastors and elders of congregations wishing to institute this procedure so that there can be no action taken against them during the period required for the process. M/S/P Approved at the Call Meeting of the Presbytery of The Mid South meeting at First Presbyterian Church Humboldt, Tennessee on October 17th, 2006 by a vote of 79 yes, 44 no.

Respond to this article

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