At the request of the session of Southport Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley (east central Indiana) will at its Oct. 21 meeting consider a resolution to make the anti-gay Book of Order clause G6.0106b, and only that clause, into an essential for all ordained clergy serving within the presbytery. The text of the proposed resolution and its rationale appear below. This particular effort to turn G6.0106b into an essential of Presbyterian faith is notable in that it doesn't seek to hide its intent behind a blanket resolution that creates hundreds of essential tenets. Instead, Southport Presbyterian has singled out a particular anti-gay clause of the Book of Order as the one that it feels most needs to become an essential within Whitewater Valley Presbytery.

Those portions of the Book of Order that we want to turn into essentials tell us something about who we are. If we want to single out parts of the Book of Order to turn into essentials, certainly many people might feel there are other clauses that merit consideration before G6.0106b. One might, for example, choose G2.0500a(4):

"The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry and tyranny, which calls the people of God to work for the transformation of society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God."

Or, perhaps, we might choose G3.0200b:

"The new reality revealed in Jesus Christ is the new humanity, a new creation, a new beginning for human life in the world:
1. Sin is forgiven.
2. Reconciliation is accomplished.
3. The dividing walls of hostility are torn down."

On October 21, Whitewater Valley Presbytery will have an opportunity to make a choice: strengthen the wall of hostility known as G6.0106b, or decline the offer.

---

Resolution for consideration at Whitewater Valley Presbytery

“Be it resolved that the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley acknowledges and affirms Book of Order G-6.0106b to be an essential, binding standard for all Inquirers, Candidates, and ordained ministers of the Word and Sacrament, both those serving within, and those desiring to be received into the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley.

“The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley shall not at any time consider G-6.0106b to be a non-essential ordination standard, or a matter of personal scruple, in relation to any particular Inquirer, Candidate, or minister of the Word and Sacrament.”

Rationale:

Out of pastoral concern, both for the life of our Presbytery, and for the lives of any individuals currently or yet to be in our Presbytery, we believe this issue should be addressed now, rather than waiting for a test case involving a real person. Timely action will enable us to act wisely on principle and avoid reacting once personal loyalties are involved.

---

Ref: http://www.mlp.org/article.php/20060910212457789