Renewal groups welcome Soulforce, but oppose changing ordination rule

The Layman Online Wednesday, June 7, 2000 The Presbyterian Coalition and the Presbyterian Renewal Network say they welcome all individuals and groups to the 212th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), to be held June 24-July 1 in Long Beach, California, including non-Presbyterian groups such as Soulforce. Soulforce, an ecumenical gay activist organization, has announced that its members will demonstrate outside the Long Beach Convention Center to protest the PCUSA's prohibition of ordaining self-affirming, practicing homosexuals. Soulforce conducted similar demonstrations -- some involving civil disobedience -- at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland recently. More than 200 demonstrators were arrested. Methodists voted nearly two-to-one to affirm their prohibition of ordaining practicing homosexuals and conducting same-sex unions. In a joint press release, the Presbyterian Coalition and the Presbyterian Renewal Network said they fully support the denomination's ordination standard. "At the same time, we fully support the right of anyone to express opposing views. We appreciate that Soulforce has promised not to disrupt the work and worship of the Assembly." "We affirm the strong protections and rights of minorities which are guaranteed in our system of church government. The PCUSA is governed by councils and assemblies. However, we do realize that church councils and assemblies can at times err. Therefore, the Presbyterian Coalition and the Presbyterian Renewal Network support the principle that minority viewpoints should always have the opportunity to be heard, even if they have been presented before and consistently rejected by the denomination." The coalition and network invited Soulforce "to come to our General Assembly meetings and observe the open decision-making process. All meetings are open to the public at all times. We do, however, reject attempts by any who would violate the rules of decorum and thereby require the suspension of the orderly conduct of the assembly meeting, or in any way impede the work of the commissioners. We emphatically reject any expression of hatred toward any individual or group. God loves all people. It is our hope and intention that everyone will be received at this General Assembly meeting in the light of that love."

Respond to this article

News From the PCUSA Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links