Correction to G-6.0106b passed the General Assembly
The 1978 and 1979 AIs are null and void DELETE B passed with 54% in favor! What this means is that the Presbyteries now need to vote on this. However an immediate authoritative interpretation goes into effect.
The action is to place before all Presbyteries to replace G-6.0106b: Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
with... Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate's sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.
It also offers an authoritative interpretation by the General Assembly: Interpretive statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.
An amendment was proposed to eliminate the authoritative interpretation to eliminate previous interpretations while still deleting G-6.0106b. The Motion failed.
Arguments offered in favor: It is time. "I met an amazing TA in college. Only later did I learn he was homosexual and it made no difference in what I thought of him. At that point it was no longer about a 'them' and rather about a real person."
Arguments against: We should take more time to study. We need to better understand these issues. Our youth need a strong message. Monetary giving will drop.
|