Where was the Stated Clerk? A Commentary by Parker T. Williamson The Layman Online Monday, November 25, 2002 Once again, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly has failed "to protect and preserve the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)." He was a "no show" in Baltimore. For months, the press has alerted Presbyterians throughout the country that a major constitutional shoot-out was about to occur in Baltimore Presbytery. Pundits across the theological spectrum have speculated on what Baltimore might do when given a clear, up-or-down opportunity to declare its loyalty to the constitution. On the eve of this fated meeting, the Presbyterian Coalition issued a call to prayer that brought to their knees many who yearn for indications of integrity from their ordained leaders. Reporters booked flights and charged their laptops. Photographers polished lenses. By all calculations, Baltimore was the place to be on November 21. So where was the stated clerk? Of all people, this man whose first duty is to defend the constitution should have arranged to be at the place where that very document was under fire. What could the clerk have done? He could have been there. Had the denomination's chief constitutional officer entered the room, that very fact, in itself, would have made a powerful statement. It would have put Baltimore on notice that what it was about to do would have consequences far beyond the city limits. What could the clerk have done? He could have requested the privilege of the floor. (Can you imagine any presbytery not granting his request?) From that bully pulpit, Kirkpatrick could have warned Baltimore's rebels of the gravity of their situation. He could have quoted the presbytery's on-the-record defiance and said, clearly and forcefully, "This is wrong. This is a violation of your ordination vows. In the name of the whole church, I implore you to cease and desist in this defiance of the constitution that you promised to uphold." What could the clerk have done? He could have corrected the presbytery's permanent judicial commission for snuffing out the judicial process by refusing to bring to trial a legitimate complaint against the Rev. Donald Stroud. What could the clerk have done? He could have announced that in light of the fact that Stroud has repeated his defiance, the stated clerk himself will file a new complaint with the presbytery, and that he expects this complaint to be taken seriously. He can do this because any Presbyterian can do this. And what better person to do it than the denomination's chief preserver and protector of the constitution? What better person than the one who was elected to speak for us all? In one sense, a charge filed by the clerk would have no more standing than the one filed by Paul Jensen. But it would have enormous symbolic significance. It would declare, not only to Baltimore, but to every other presbytery where defiance is occurring, that this denomination's chief constitutional officer is not neutral with respect to the constitution. What could the clerk have done? He could have held a press conference at the conclusion of the presbytery meeting, assuring an increasingly restless denomination that he will pursue, personally and publicly, every legitimate approach to restoring the integrity of the constitution. He could call a meeting of all presbytery and synod executives and clerks, telling them that he expects them to uphold the constitution in their domains by announcing that any defiance of the constitution will be deemed a renunciation of jurisdiction that will result in immediate administrative action. The stated clerk should have been in Baltimore. His absence underscores the failure of his office to do its duty, creating a vacuum that invites chaos. The church can no longer afford a stated clerk that will not lead us by faithfully fulfilling his duty.

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