Peaks Presbytery
is 38th
to receive resolution on
ordination requirements
The
Layman Online
Friday, December
15, 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 |
Original
resolution defeated Nov. 14. Second resolution on agenda for
January meeting. |
| 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. Synod PJC asked to compel presbytery
to rescind resolution. |
| 8 |
San Diego
|
31 |
16,741 |
Affirmed
constitutional standards |
| 9 |
San Francisco
|
77 |
28,132 |
Considers
competing proposals |
| 10 |
Scioto Valley |
113 |
23,940 |
Deferred to June
2007. |
| 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 |
Referred to
committee. |
| 19 |
San Joaquin |
34 |
7,980 |
Affirmed
constitutional standards. Synod PJC asked to compel presbytery
to rescind resolution. |
| 20 |
Olympia |
50 |
10,800 |
Affirmed
constitutional standards |
| 21 |
Santa
Barbara |
30 |
9,378 |
Affirmed
standards. |
| 22 |
Santa
Fe |
43 |
7,118 |
Under
review |
| 23
|
Mid-South
|
65 |
11,023
|
Affirmed
constitutional standards. Synod PJC asked to compel presbytery
to rescind resolution. |
| 24 |
Cherokee |
41 |
11,036 |
Approved
by voice vote on Nov. 28 |
| 25 |
Great
Rivers |
110 |
19,818 |
Vote
on Feb. 27. |
| 26 |
Grace
|
180 |
45,040 |
Voted
against affirming standards, 75-35 |
| 27 |
Redstone
|
85 |
16,288 |
Voted
Nov. 21 to rule the proposal unconstitutional. |
| 28 |
Tampa
Bay |
75 |
24,821 |
Proposal
referred to committee for discernment. |
| 29
|
Western
Reserve |
52
|
14,202
|
Resolution
submitted to presbytery by seven sessions. |
| 30 |
Nevada |
24 |
5345 |
Voted
to affirm behavioral standards. |
| 31 |
E.
Oklahoma |
72 |
13,106
|
Will
consider resolution on Dec. 4 |
| 32
|
Seattle |
58 |
20,352
|
Vote
scheduled Jan. 17 |
| 33 |
Prospect
Hill |
57 |
8,767 |
Affirmed
standards |
| 34 |
Northumberland |
44 |
5,419 |
Debate
and vote scheduled March 17, 2007 |
| 35 |
Stockton |
22 |
4,115 |
Affirmed
standards |
| 36 |
Los
Ranchos |
51 |
2,159 |
Affirmed
standards |
| 37 |
Florida |
44 |
8,617 |
Reviewing
resolution |
| 38 |
Peaks |
39 |
19,035 |
Reviewing
resolution |
|
The Presbytery of the Peaks is the 38th regional governing body
in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to consider an overture to affirm the
constitutional ordination requirements.
The proposal, from the session of Appomattox Court House Church, will
be reviewed by the presbytery's Division of Ministry (Committee on
Ministry and Committee on Preparation for the Ministry and Examinations)
on Jan. 4. A final debate and vote is scheduled on March 3.
The Peaks overture states: "The ordination standard in G-6.0106b of
the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order requires potential
elders, deacons and ministers of the Word and Sacrament 'to live
either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a
woman, or chastity in singleness.' This standard is essential and
shall be adhered to by the Presbytery of the Peaks. Further, the
Presbytery will actively exercise its oversight authority on this
matter."
In its rationale, the overture said the 2006 General Assembly's approval
of the authoritative interpretation proposed by the Theological Task
Force on Peace, Unity and Purity "has created confusion in the
church over how the authoritative interpretation can and will be applied
to individuals seeking ordination/installation. Despite the claims that
our constitutional standards have not changed, many are concerned that
the new authoritative interpretation has placed our church in
constitutional crisis by granting ordaining and installing bodies
'leeway' in applying those standards, specifically in allowing the
possible ordination/installation of self-affirming, practicing
homosexuals."
The overture also pointed out that the presbytery has voted by wide
margins in the three national referendums on G-6.0106b, the "fidelity/chastity"
constitutional requirement. Peaks voted 139-86 in 1997 to include that
requirement in the Book of Order and against repealing it by
margins of 160-68 in 1998 and 166-72 in 2001.
The Rev. Cameron Smith, the overture advocate, told the presbytery that
was "alarmed … discouraged … and dismayed" that the
General Assembly bypassed the constitutional process.
"We affirm the sentiments of our new moderator of General
Assembly, the Rev. Joan Gray, when she said that she just couldn't get
her mind around to seeing homosexuality as a gift from God to humanity,
Cameron said. "Therefore, we affirm our Biblical and Confessional
mandate to call people to sexual wholeness, in love and compassion."
To date, The Layman Online has received reports that:
- 16 presbyteries have affirmed the constitutional requirements.
But remedial complaints have been filed with Permanent Judicial
Commissions asking the synod courts to order three presbyteries to
rescind their action. General Assembly Stated Clerk Clifton
Kirkpatrick has declared that the overtures are unconstitutional
even though they support a constitutional requirement.
- One presbytery disapproved a resolution to affirm the
requirements but has scheduled a second vote on a similar
resolution.
- Three presbyteries have disapproved resolutions.
- Most of the other presbyteries have not taken final action.
|