We are grateful to the Lord that the PCUSA has upheld Biblical ordination standards of pastors, elders and deacons for a fourth time in 12 years.
Yet we are grieved that the peace, unity and purity of the church continues to be torn apart by those who insist upon subjecting the Body to votes on their agenda.
We are grateful to those who worked to preserve our ordination standards. We ask the Lord to bless each commissioner and presbytery with the truth of God’s Word.
We also ask God to bring us all to sober reflection that:
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A fifth overture to remove these standards is already in process. Unless presbyteries send to the 2010 General Assembly commissioners committed and prepared to stand firm, Christ’s church will be subjected to yet another assault.
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The number of commissioners who voted in the presbyteries and the number of presbyteries that upheld the standards decreased significantly from prior votes. The denomination is losing faithful members and many of those remaining fail to submit to the authority of God’s Word.
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Although the Biblical standards for ordination remain in our constitution, the Authoritative Interpretation passed by the 2006 General Assembly eviscerates those standards and encourages ungodly belief and behavior. A constitution that can be deemed nonessential is no longer a constitution.
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We battle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places; therefore we must be equipped by the Holy Spirit for every good work that God has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 6).
The Presbyterian Lay Committee prays that all Presbyterians will humble themselves before God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and seek His mercy, guidance, strength and courage for all that remains before us.
We are committed to stand with those who stand with Christ.