Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area Meeting documents provide stark illustration of chasm separating two faiths in the PCUSA By Craig M. Kibler Staff Writer The Layman Online Monday, January 28, 2008 EDINA, Minn. – Documents provided during the Jan. 26 meeting of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area illustrate in stark terms the two faiths that have been roiling the Presbyterian Church (USA) for years. One document – provided by the presbytery's committee on ministry in recommending that Paul Capetz's declared scruple to the "fidelity/chastity" ordination standard in the denomination's Book of Order is not a departure from Reformed faith and polity – emphasizes personal feelings and interpretations. Another document – provided as a minority report by members of the committee on ministry who opposed the majority's recommendation – emphasizes Scripture, The Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. The differences between these two documents starkly illustrate why the PCUSA is splintering – why thousands of members have left the denomination and why scores of churches are disaffiliating and aligning themselves with what they believe is a more faithful communion. Committee on ministry report In its report, titled "Rationale for Considering G-6.0106b," the committee on ministry wrote as follows: "At a special meeting on December 1, 2007, the Committee on Ministry struggled with the theological rational for deciding whether Dr. Capetz's declared departure from G-6.0106b constitutes a failure to adhere to an essential of Reformed faith and polity under G-6.0106b of the Book of Order. They sought to do so in light of his faith, manner of life, commitment to Christ and the church and capacity to exercise faithful ministry. "The majority [emphasis in original] of the committee discerned that Dr. Capetz's declared departure does not constitute a failure to adhere to an essential of Reformed faith and polity for the following reasons: "Dr. Capetz has theological integrity – celibacy was a tenet that Martin Luther was reforming against. "The church is reformed and reforming and homosexuals should be treated the same as other persons. "Persuaded by covenant call/vocation that Dr. Capetz was called by God; his homosexuality does not rise to the level of essential. "Dr. Capetz has clearly articulated that it is not essential – we must rethink in every generation. "The PCUSA ordains on the basis of what is, not what might be. "Dr. Capetz is clear in his theology. "All are God's creatures. God sheds light on what we should be and do. Why depart from this? "Scriptural references to homosexuality are very few; why lift them out? Far greater emphasis [is] on the Great Commandment – Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself. "How can we say "no" when God, within the broader context of Scripture beyond the limited texts, cited to exclude, has already said "yes?" "Does not concern Dr. Capetz's willingness or ability to serve members of the church. He is willing to perform the duties of a Minister of Word and sacrament. He does not reflect a lack of theological understanding or understanding of the Reformed tradition "For more than 20 years, the PTCA has engaged in discernment processes and a significant majority of the presbytery has consistently held the same departure as expressed by Dr. Capetz. "Within the Reformed family, a minority of communions hold the same position as Dr. Capetz; e.g., many European communions, the Reformed Church of South Africa, the United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ. "A significant minority of the PCUSA believes that the departure has Biblical, confessional, theological and pastoral integrity. "Dr. Capetz serves a Reformed seminary of a denomination (UCC) that rejects exclusion from ordained office based upon sexual orientation or practice. "Society has pushed us toward fear while Jesus has told us to love God and love our neighbor. Orientation has no bearing on fitness to serve as minister of Word and sacrament and is not a tenet of the Reformed faith. "Sexual orientation has no bearing on fitness for ministry." Minority report In its signed report, a minority of the committee on ministry who opposed the majority's recommendation, wrote as follows: "Recognizing that the issues surrounding Dr. Capetz's stated departure from G-6.0106b have been the source of heated debate and division within the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area (PTCA), the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and the church universal, we wish to make clear that it is our intention neither to further inflame tension nor cause division within the body through a minority report. The Committee on Ministry (COM) has dealt with the request for restoration by Dr. Capetz with great sensitivity and those of a minority opinion have been listened to with respect. Although the process by which the COM has come to recommend restoration has been conducted decently and in order, we still find ourselves in opposition to the recommendation and therefore humbly submit our view." Rationale "The constitution of the PCUSA consists of three documents: the Bible, The Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. Scripture both trumps and informs our Book of Order and The Book of Confessions. We understand the Book of Order and The Book of Confessions to be faithful (although fallible) witnesses to Scripture and the result of the collective wisdom of the church over the centuries. Officers ordained in the PCUSA promise to abide by this constitution. Upon occasion, exceptions to statements within The Book of Confessions and Book of Order have been made by candidates seeking ordination to the ministry of Word and sacrament. Presbyteries examining such candidates were asked to determine if the exception or departure was an essential tenet of our Reformed faith. In each case where such a departure was determined to be non-essential, the candidate agreed nonetheless to abide by the constitutional standards in practice. For example, in a case of a departure involving infant baptism, the candidate agree to perform infant baptism in compliance with the standards outlined in the Book of Order. Candidates declaring their intention to depart from a constitutional standard in practice were not ordained. "At this juncture, we are being asked (as a result of recommendation 5 of the report of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church) to decide if this stated departure is an essential tenet of the Reformed faith. Dr. Capetz, who is currently in compliance with the standards of G-6.0106b, has clearly stated his intention to depart from the constitutional standard in practice given opportunity in the future. We believe that the restoration of ordination to an individual intending to depart in practice from a clearly state constitutional standard essentially allows the will of the PTCA to supercede the Constitution of the PCUSA [emphasis in the original]. In this light, we believe that an action to restore Dr. Paul Capetz as a minister member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area sidesteps the authority of our constitution and gives the ability to a very few to decide a matter of constitutional import. "Furthermore, we are uncomfortable with the hermeneutical or interpretive gymnastics required to provide Biblical sanction for sexually intimate same-sex relationships. Affirming the authority of the Scripture and our submission to them as followers of Jesus Christ, we therefore must object to a behavioral departure from the standard of G-6.0106b or any intention to do so. Recommendations "We recommend that the presbytery take action upon the following: 1) "Find that portions of the Book of Order using the word 'shall' must be seen as 'essential' to the expression of the Christian faith embodied by the Presbyterian Church (USA). 2) "In so finding, return a negative response to Dr. Paul Capetz's request for restoration." Kirsten Berry, elder; Hope Presbyterian, Richfield, Minn. Amy Flack, minister member; First Presbyterian, Ellsworth, Wisc., and Laurel Presbyterian, Hager City, Wisc. Deborah Kielsmeier, minister member; Christ Presbyterian, Edina, Minn. Eugene Orr, minister member; Plymouth Presbyterian, Plymouth, Minn. Zachary Wilson, minister member; Spirit of Life Presbyterian; Apple Valley, Minn. Craig M. Kibler is the Director of Publications and the Executive Editor of The Layman and The Layman Online. He may be reached at cmkibler@layman.org.

Respond to this article

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