Two renewal groups call for upholding the constitution, exercise of discipline By Craig M. Kibler The Layman Online Tuesday, October 1, 2002 Two renewal groups, citing a growing constitutional crisis, have called for upholding the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and for exercising the Rules of Discipline against those who defy it. The directors of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and Presbyterians For Renewal, both of which met recently, issued resolutions citing the crisis in the denomination brought about by 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 – 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. 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. The directors of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, "speaking as ordained leaders who have taken vows to uphold the Constitution," wrote, in part, that, "We reaffirm our ultimate commitment and submission to the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church, and thus, we reject the elevation of personal opinion and self as ultimate authority. "We reaffirm our commitment and submission to the authority of Christ and the Scriptures as embodied in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), having freely placed ourselves under that authority by our ordination vows, and thus, we reject the legitimacy of and will not condone defiance of the Constitution, which undermines that authority. "We pledge ourselves to labor for a just and equitable adherence to the Constitution by utilizing the Rules of Discipline in the spirit of its Preamble," they wrote in the resolution. The directors of Presbyterians For Renewal wrote, in part, that, "We are committed to and affirm: Our Presbyterian Constitution as rightly ordering our denominational life; and the Rules of Discipline, in particular, as necessary and loving. "We find troublesome several recent incidents of defiance of the Constitution (such as in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Redwoods, and Hudson River presbyteries), coupled at times with an apparent lack or slowness of response by appropriate governing bodies, reticence to discipline, or distortion of disciplinary action. "We urge: That Jesus be glorified; that our Presbyterian Constitution be upheld; and that church discipline, as guided by the Rules of Discipline, be applied, when necessary, in an appropriate, measured, and loving manner, in the spirit of its Preamble," they wrote in the resolution. The Preamble of the Rules of Discipline cited by both ministries reads, in part, that: "Church discipline is the church's exercise of authority given by Christ, both in the direction of guidance, control, and nurture of its members and in the direction of constructive criticism of offenders. Thus, the purpose of discipline is to honor God by making clear the significance of membership in the body of Christ; to preserve the purity of the church by nourishing the individual within the life of the believing community; to correct or restrain wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration; to restore the unity of the church by removing the causes of discord and division; and to secure the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings. "The power that Jesus Christ has vested in his Church, a power manifested in the exercise of church discipline, is one for building up the body of Christ, not for destroying it, for redeeming, not for punishing." (D-1.0101-D-1.0102) Meanwhile, the two groups most aggressively opposing the "fidelity/chastity" ordination clause of the constitution recently reasserted their intention to continue seeking its removal despite having lost three national referendums by increasing margins - the most recent by a 3-1 vote. In their statement, More Light Presbyterians supported church officers who "are led by conscience as informed by God's spirit" in choosing to defy the constitutional requirement. The Covenant Network did not call for defiance of church law, but commended church courts that have allowed presbyteries to ordain defiant ministers and sessions to ordain defiant elders and deacons. "We have been heartened by recent church court decisions that reaffirm the responsibility of governing bodies to interpret and apply constitutional requirements for office," the Covenant Network statement said. "These decisions remind us that when the Constitution is read as a whole it provides a framework in which policies of inclusiveness and compliance with church law may both fit. We call on all governing bodies to carry out this responsibility with diligence, prayerful care, and the liberality of grace."

Respond to this article

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