2 more sessions, citing constitutional crisis, endorse 'A Call to Constitutional Integrity' The Layman Online Monday, November 11, 2002 Two 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. In the past week, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio, and Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church in Pottsgrove, Pa., joined 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 voted not to enforce the constitution if it is presented with either disciplinary or remedial cases involving the denomination's ordination standards. Baltimore Presbytery also instructed 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. In a letter accompanying its resolution, the Rev. Jim Wilken, pastor of Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church in Pottsgrove, Pa., wrote that the session approved the declaration "with fervent prayer for the Church, and for divine guidance through this trial," adding: "May God raise up men and women who will provide resolute and faithful leadership for the denomination to lead us out of this crisis." In a preamble, the session of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio, wrote that it was "led by the Holy Spirit in an attitude of reverence for God the Father and full devotion to the only Lord and Savior of humankind in Jesus Christ; in grateful obedience to God's Holy Word; and in fulfillment of our ordination vows." It affirmed the resolution, the session wrote, "in response to the constitutional crisis now present in our beloved Presbyterian Church (USA)."

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