Today's decision would change language in the Book of Order that requires candidates for ministry to observe "fidelity in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." (G-6.0106b Book of Order). It would also do away with the definitive guidance of the 1978 General Assembly that "practicing, self-affirming homosexuals" are prohibited from serving as ordained ministers, elders, or deacons.

"At last the church has taken a step toward justice for God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Rev. Janie Spahr. "We are looking forward so much to being in the presbyteries so people can see us for who we are as people of faith, to share our faith, to share our stories together, so that all may freely serve." Janie Spahr is an ordained minister whose call to serve the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY was denied in 1992 by the church's highest court, because she is a lesbian. The church hired her instead as a "lesbian evangelist," and director of That All May Freely Serve, an organization working to employ gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in ministries of outreach and education for a more inclusive church.

Martha Juillerat, Director of the Shower of Stoles Project, said that this decision impacts more lives than the Assembly commissioners imagine. The Shower of Stoles Project is a collection of over 800 stoles donated by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals called to serve in ordained positions. About half of the stoles are from Presbyterians. "The stoles bear powerful silent witness to the host of impassioned, qualified, and faithful people knocking at the church's door, or waiting silenced within the church for the day they can serve openly," she said.

Today's decision must be ratified over the next year by a majority of the denomination's local governing bodies known as presbyteries. Together the groups look forward to the work ahead of making the church a truly inclusive community, worshiping Christ, and living out the gospel in the life of the church.