3 more sessions, citing constitutional crisis, endorse 'A Call to Constitutional Integrity' The Layman Online Wednesday, November 13, 2002 Three more congregations have declared that there is a growing constitutional crisis within the Presbyterian Church (USA) and have called on church leaders to uphold the denomination's constitution and to exercise the Rules of Discipline against those who defy it. First Presbyterian Church in Parker, Pa.; Michillinda Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Calif.; and Blackstone Presbyterian Church in Blackstone, Va.; have joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio; Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church in Pottsgrove, Pa.; First Presbyterian Church in Conrad, Iowa; and Knoxville United Church in Pittsburgh in proclaiming the present time "a season of unrest and open defiance of church discipline." 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 those 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 discovery 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, Stated Clerk Clifton 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. He's come under fire from the Virginia lawyer who has accused 19 ministers and one elder of violating the constitution.

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