Three compete for moderator of 214th General Assembly Laird J. Stuart The Layman Volume 35, Number 3 Posted June 3, 2002 Laird Stuart chose his words carefully. Yes, he says, the church has spoken clearly on Amendment 01-A, which would have repealed the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard. No, he doesn’t want the ordination standard to be a front-burner issue during his year, if elected, as moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Stuart is former co-moderator of the Covenant Network, an organization committed to the repeal of Amendment 01-A. But he says, “What we have to do right now is accept the verdict.” Stuart says he understands the arguments from the other side as well and that he would seek to move the church toward unity through rediscovery of its Reformed heritage, not into another bloodletting. “A lot of people very genuinely believe we don’t have any core convictions,” he said. “We have a wonderful theological tradition.” If elected, Stuart would become the sixth moderator in nine years and fourth in five years, who served as a leader, board member or in close relationship with the Covenant Network. He says he would seek to be pastoral as moderator, to work toward healing relationships in a divided denomination. “What I certainly want to make clear is my commitment to Christ and my belief in Christ as savior,” Stuart said. Biographical Capsule Ministry: Pastor of the 1,100-member Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Theology: Describes himself as a liberal. Other: Previously member of boards of two seminaries, moderator of two presbyteries and commissioner to a General Assembly. Amendment 01-A view: Former co-moderator of Covenant Network of Presbyterians, which was organized to seek repeal of the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard in the Book of Order. Theological education: Master of Divinity, D. Min. degree, Princeton Theological Seminary. Family: wife, Virginia; three daughters; two grandchildren. Little known fact: There’s no shortage of paper – or digital – trail for Stuart. All of his sermons since 1995 are posted on calvarypresbyterian.org. Priority if elected: Convening a series of conferences on Reformed theology at PCUSA seminaries.

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