5 more congregations endorse 'A Call to Constitutional Integrity' The Layman Online Tuesday, Decemeber 10, 2002 Five more congregations have joined a growing chorus of churches – 31 in 13 states – that, while decrying "a constitutional crisis" in the Presbyterian Church (USA), are calling on church leaders to uphold the denomination's constitution and to exercise the Rules of Discipline against those who defy it. Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Sparta, Ill.; Canal Street Presbyterian Church in New Orleans; Aberdour Presbyterian Church in Jarratt, Va.; First Presbyterian Church in Salinas, Calif.; and First Presbyterian Church in Emporia, Va., have joined the following congregations in proclaiming the present time "a season of unrest and open defiance of church discipline:" Alaska: Haines Presbyterian Church in Haines. California: Michillinda Presbyterian Church in Pasadena and Arcadia Presbyterian Church in Arcadia. Georgia: Bethany Presbyterian Church in Covington. Illinois: First Presbyterian Church in Elmwood. Iowa: Burt Presbyterian Church in Burt, First Presbyterian Church in Conrad and First Presbyterian Church in Ashton. Kansas: Zenith Presbyterian Church in Stafford. Mississippi: Ackerman Presbyterian Church in Ackerman. Missouri: St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Kansas City and Tarkio Presbyterian Church in Tarkio. North Carolina: Brittains Cove Presbyterian Church in Weaverville, Rourk Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe, Windermere Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and McLean Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe. Ohio: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Canton. Pennsylvania: Burgettstown Presbyterian Church in Burgettstown, First Presbyterian Church in Parker, Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church in Pottsgrove, West Grove Presbyterian Church in West Grove, Center Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Knoxville United Church in Pittsburgh and First Presbyterian Church in Levittown. Texas: First Presbyterian Church in Rusk. Virginia: Blackstone Presbyterian Church in Blackstone. In a letter to Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick that accompanied its resolution, the session of Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Sparta, wrote: "Our sadness is not in the fact that we do this – but that we find it necessary to do so. Our fear is that there might be repercussion for our actions, but that our denomination in practice, if not in word, very well may be on the brink of breaking faith with the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. We are a connectional entity, what one governing body does, they do on behalf of the whole. If this is true for women's ordination, if it is true for our property, then it is certainly true for the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals (Baltimore Presbytery), performing same-gender uni0ons as marriages (Mt. Auburn in Cincinnati) and those who bring into fellowship one who equivocates on the complete divinity of our Lord (Presbytery of West Jersey). "Schism," Barth reminds us, "begins theologically and only then becomes ecclesiastical." If we are not already in schism as a denomination, we are frightfully close. "As the one officer charged with defending our constitution, we implore you to vigorously exercise your responsibilities as Stated Clerk. We do not hold you responsible for the actions of individual ordained officers or whole presbyteries, please hear that. However, we do ask, that you clearly and coherently use the bully pulpit of your office to be unequivocal in your condemnation of those sessions and individuals who willfully defy the Book of Order and The Book of Confessions." The resolutions approved by all the church sessions are similar to resolutions for "A Call for Constitutional Integrity" previously approved by the Presbyterian Lay Committee and the Presbyterian Coalition. The resolutions refer to a growing number of individuals, churches and some presbyteries that publicly are defying the constitutional standards regarding ordination standards, same-sex marriages, open communion, including prayers and teachings from other religions in worship services and other issues. Public declarations of defiance have increased since the 214th General Assembly met in June, with defiant Presbyterians saying they have a right to violate the denomination's constitution. The language of defiance has become bolder, with unbending assertions that breaking church law is protected by one's conscience and that the law – though anchored in Scripture and the church's confessions – is immoral. Some of the declarations of defiance have led to charges being filed in church courts. But, so far, none of the courts has issued a ruling that affirms the constitutional standard. The constitutional crisis rose to greater intensity with the news that Baltimore Presbytery has proposed not enforcing the constitution if it is presented with either disciplinary or remedial cases involving the denomination's ordination standards. In its proposal, the Baltimore Presbytery also would instruct its sessions not to entertain such cases. Many evangelicals are declaring that there is a "constitutional crisis" because local church sessions and presbyteries – the ordaining bodies in the PCUSA – are either ignoring the constitution or flagrantly violating its requirements. Despite all the reports to the contrary, Kirkpatrick claims there is no constitutional crisis. Kirkpatrick, whose job is "to preserve and defend the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)" (G-11.0112e), repeatedly has said that it is not his job to enforce the constitution, but he also has said ministers and elders have no right to defy the requirements of G-6.0106b.

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