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Two presbyteries approve ordination
requirements; another schedules vote

The Layman Online
Monday, December 11, 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
Two more presbyteries have voted to affirm the constitutional ordination standards that require candidates for minister, elder and deacon to live in accordance with G-6.0106b, the "fidelity/chastity" clause in the Book of Order.

The Presbytery of Northumberland in Pennsylvania also received a similar resolution supported by four sessions and six pastors. It will be debated and voted on at the presbytery's meeting on March 17, 2007.

The text of the Northumberland resolution is:
In its discernment of the essentials of Reformed polity and for the sake of the peace, unity, and purity of the church, this governing body adopts the principle that compliance with the standards for ordination set out explicitly for the whole church in the Book of Order is an essential of Reformed polity. Therefore, any departure from the 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 standards by use of the term "shall," "is/are to be," "requirement," or equivalent expression.
The text of the Stockton is identical to Northumberland's. In addition, Stockton approved a resolution stating that only per capita received from the congregations would be passed on to higher governing bodies and that the presbytery would not make up the difference for churches that were withholding or redirecting per capita as a matter of protest.

"The Stockton Presbytery recognizes that it has a responsibility to remit per capita to General Assembly and synod if funds are available, whether or not every session presents a per-capita offering," the presbytery said. "The Stockton Presbytery accepts the responsibility of determining whether or not funds are available for that purpose and will remit per capita on the basis of that determination. Due to the responsibilities and obligations of this presbytery, we find that at this time there are not funds available to remit per capita money not received for that purpose. Notwithstanding, any monies specifically designated by sessions for per capita will be transmitted to the higher governing bodies so designated."

The Los Ranchos approved a resolution stating:
"The Book of Confessions and the Form of Government of the Book of Order (including G-6.0106 and G-6.0108) set forth the scriptural and constitutional standards for ordination and installation. This Presbytery also affirms the responsibility of the Presbytery to determine their membership by applying these standards to those elected to office. Los Ranchos Presbytery considers G-6.0106A & B and G-6.0108A, B, C essential standards, and will so notify candidates for ordination and/or membership. This Presbytery will conduct its examinations reasonably, prayerfully and deliberately, including in its examination the following question: 'Are you unable or unwilling to comply with any standards for ordination or installation in the Presbyterian Church (USA)? If so, which ones?' Furthermore, as the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, we direct our Presbytery committees and expect our churches to uphold these standards."
To date, The Layman Online has received reports from 36 presbyteries that have considered resolutions calling for enforcement of the constitutional ordination requirements.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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