Friday, May 21, 1999

Denominational dysfunction The decision to give, then not to give, then to give the Women of Faith award to “lesbian evangelist” Jane Spahr (see story) is a study in denominational dysfunction. Spahr was selected for the award by radical representatives of five women’s organizations. The steering committee of National Ministries Division, which technically oversees the Women’s Ministries Program Area, grantor of the award, prudently set aside her selection. In the words of NMD director Curtis Kearns, “To recognize her would appear to endorse the position [overturning the denomination’s ordination standards] for which she’s been advocating.” But that decision, and its rationale, raises troubling questions. A second award recipient, Letty Russell, is also a self-declared lesbian. She has publicly announced that she is using her energy “on subversion” rather than working for change from within the Presbyterian system. Why rescind Spahr’s award while leaving Russell’s unchallenged? One possible answer involves name recognition. Mention the name Letty Russell in a Presbyterian gathering and the most likely response will be “Letty who?” Mention the name Jane Spahr and the response, positive or negative, is likely to be one of instant recognition. Is it possible that distinction was considered when overturning Spahr’s award while allowing Russell’s to stand? If so, that suggests the decision may have been influenced less by “the position for which she’s been advocating” than by anticipated outrage at the award’s announcement. And if politics rather than principle was the prime consideration, what does that suggest about the priorities of some of our denomination’s top elected leaders? Now consider the decision of the General Assembly Council’s executive committee to reinstate Spahr. That 9-2 secret ballot vote came on the heels of an intense telephone and Internet lobbying campaign by a small group of activists. Assuming the executive committee is representative of the GAC, 80 percent of the GAC (which, for the 358 days a year that the General Assembly is not in session, is our highest governing body, the body that decides where and how undesignated contributions are spent) supports a denominational award being given to those whose words and deeds contradict Scripture and our constitution. These events closely parallel the GAC meeting held in February, 1994. There a majority of our elected leadership declared that nothing said or done at the 1993 ReImagining conference was beyond the bounds of Christian faith, and they publicly lambasted conference critics. Presbyterians reacted sharply. They withheld or redirected several million dollars, and accelerated a trend to designate their gifts to the denomination. Only when commissioners to the 1994 GA admitted what GAC members would not, that aspects of the conference were “beyond the boundaries,” did the furor subside. It is unlikely that the Women of Faith award will have quite the same impact. For one thing, key staff changes have taken place since ReImagining. For another, roughly three-quarters of all giving to the denomination is now designated for specific ministries. But the aggressive defense of this award makes it clear that ideologies incompatible with Christian faith and practice are still being rewarded by Presbyterian leaders – with dollars collected from Presbyterian pews. As in the past, Presbyterians who believe that biblical principles ought to be a higher priority than church politics could well keep this award in mind as they consider future stewardship opportunities.

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