Two actions were completed at Presbytery’s meeting last night:

First, two investigating committees were formed regarding the disciplinary cases filed by Paul Rolf Jensen against Hal Porter, Pastor Emeritus of Mt. Auburn and Steve Van Kuiken, Pastor of Mt. Auburn.

Secondly, by a vote of 124 to 77, the Presbytery of Cincinnati accepted the Presbytery’s Council recommendation that an Administrative Commission be formed regarding Mount Auburn Church “For the sake of the peace, purity, and unity of the Presbytery of Cincinnati”. Two overtures that had come to the floor from Madeira-Silverwood Church and Mount Auburn were referred to it.

THE MADEIRA-SILVERWOOD CHURCH’S OVERTURE (supported by five other churches in the Presbytery) sought immediate action by the Presbytery to give Mt. Auburn 30 days to comply with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church regarding its non-compliance with G-6.0106b and any other statements of that church (such as its policy of performing same-sex marriages) which are not in compliance with the Constitution. If Mt. Auburn does not comply by the July meeting of the Presbytery, it shall conclude that Mt. Auburn and its minister’s and officers have renounced the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church, delete them from the roll, and take any further actions of an administrative character regarding Mt. Auburn as the Constitution provides. This church (as will others against dissenting churches) heavily relied on Londonderry v Presbytery of Northern New England (2000).

THE MT. AUBURN OVERTURE (developed to fend off the above overture) asked the Presbytery to form a Special Committee to examine the ministry of Mt. Auburn in its totality and explore any possible creative resolutions to any conflict the Presbytery may find with the ministries of Mt. Auburn and report back at its January, 2003 meeting. Mt. Auburn declared in its overture that it did find itself opposed to those policies in our denomination that in any way denigrate the worthiness of homosexual persons as equally made in the image of God that they are part of God’s good creation and are meant to enjoy all the good gifts of life that God has given to us all and will not exclude them from full membership in Christ’s body the Church.

The action of the Presbytery to form an Administrative Commission seems to indicate that they did not want to rush to a judgment regarding Mt. Auburn even though it still finds that Mt. Auburn’s policies are irregular. This is the second Administrative Commission on Mt. Auburn. The first recognized Mt. Auburn was not in compliance but wanted to await any action against that church until the denomination as a whole had made its policies regarding homosexual members clearer. The defeat of Amendment A, with its refusal to delete G-6.0106b and the theological positions of 1978 (regarding the categorical teachings that all homosexual behavior is intrinsically sinful, etc.), have encouraged supporters to say that any Constitutional discrepancies regarding homosexual members in the church have NOW been resolved.

It is obvious, even to the Presbytery, that Mt. Auburn will not change its policies, so it is not evident what possible reconciliation can occur through the efforts of this new Administrative Commission. But the action of the Presbytery affords further deliberation. It is my feeling that the Presbytery’s slim majority does not want to be punitive against Mt. Auburn, which it has deemed a “vital congregation”. But if no action is taken regarding Mt. Auburn by the Presbytery it knows it may itself be the subject of a remedial complaint.

In the meantime the disciplinary complaints go forward. It should be noted that of all the disciplinary cases recently brought forward by Mr. Jensen, I believe only Steve Van Kuiken’s financial livelihood is being threatened and that remains a serious concern. The good news is that Mt. Auburn is unified in its witness and both its Pastor and Pastor Emeritus have received unanimous affirmations both by the Session and the Congregation. That church has appreciated all of the prayerful support it has received and seeks only to continue uncompromisingly in its witness.

I hope this gives all in the More Light Movement an update of this most amazing, gifted and faithful congregation.

Hal Porter
Pastor Emeritus
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church