Classical Presbyterian posted an update on the Mission Presbytery case in which the presbytery voted to admit an openly acknowledged lesbian to candidacy for ordination as a minister in the PCUSA. The General Assembly PJC (the highest ecclesiastical court in the church) granted a stay of enforcement and will take jurisdiction of the appeal of the presbytery's action (the Synod PJC deadlocked on the case). At issue: whether or not presbyteries may admit sexually active homosexual persons to candidacy.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
4 comments:
Thanks for the reference. This has not been a fun experience for anyone involved, to say the least. Yet I believe the case is necessary for the church.
It was interesting to hear the arguments before the Synod PJC. For a non-lawyer, it is quite amusing (in a sad sense) to see how two parties can look at the exact same cases and evidence and come to opposite conclusions.
The GAPJC will have to clarify for the whole church what behavior is expected of our candidates for ordination. At this point, we really don't know if 'fidelity and chasity' applies to their lives or not.
The case will revolve around a few past cases for precedence and a few select passages in the Book of Order.
I am praying for all involved, as this has been a difficult process for everyone. Thanks again for stating clearly what this case is about. There has been some confusion in the past.
hmmm...here's an odd question...is this person already ordained as a deacon or elder? When I went to seminary I had already served as a deacon for several years. There were no questions at that point whether the BOO requirements applied to me or not.
That's a good question, Rev Dave. I would guess that the majority of Presbyterian seminarians today were previously ordained as deacons or elders--especially if they are "second career" types.
My impression is that the candidate has been forthright with the presbytery about her situation and not that the presbytery inquired about it. Toby? Is that right?
Yes, QG. She did not hide the fact that she met her partner in church and her congregation blessed their being together.
The church of which she is a member also ordains elders and deacons without bothering about fidelity/chastity. It's just one more instance of local option...
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