WHEREAS the Presbytery of New York City voted by a margin of approximately 6 to 1 on May 20, 1997 to "support and work with those sessions who determine that they, in good conscience, must dissent from Amendment B" (now, Book of Order G-6.0106b);
WHEREAS Amendment A to replace that section of the Book of Order, which was passed by the 209th General Assembly and affirmed by this presbytery, has been defeated by the negative vote of a majority of presbyteries nationwide;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Presbytery of New York City recommits itself to support and work with those sessions who determine that they, in good conscience, must dissent from G-6.0106b.
As faithful Christians and loyal Presbyterians, our faith and conscience
compel us to state the following:
Jesus welcomed all people who came to him in faith,
refusing none by reason of race or condition, even when
these conditions were clearly proscribed by law.
Jesus commanded us to love one another, even as he has
loved us. Scripture and our confessions command us to
love the Lord our God, love our neighbor as ourselves,
deal justly with all men and women in word and deed, and
defend the oppressed.
The gospel is to be preached to all peoples, as Jesus
commanded, and the church is to be inclusive, as Peter and
Paul preached. Our constitution affirms this by requiring
only baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord for membership in the church
(G-5.0101).
The church is enjoined to practice openness and
inclusiveness in the name of Jesus Christ (G-3.0401b,
G-4.0403, G-5.0103), and no person shall be denied
membership because of any reason not related to
profession of faith (G-5.0103). The right of the people to
elect their own officers is inalienable (G-1.0306).
Active members are entitled to all the rights and privileges
of the church, including the right to vote and hold office
(G-5.0202). Officers differ from members in function only
(G-6.0102).
There are truths and forms with respect to which faithful
Christians may differ (G-1.0305). The decisions of church
bodies may be in error (G-1.0307). God alone is Lord of
the conscience (G-1.0301).
The recently passed amendment to G-6.0106, which adds
section B ("amendment B"), is not indispensable in
doctrine or Presbyterian government, nor is it an essential
tenet of our faith. The amendment relies primarily on our
Confessions which, by their own admission, are
subordinate standards in the church and in which no one
statement is irreformable (C-9.03).
In obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, guided by
scriptures and the legacy left to us by those who went
before us - our Confessions and the Book of Order, and
after individual and collective study, consideration, and
prayer, we have determined that we cannot agree to abide
by the recently passed amendment to G-6.0106
("amendment B") without violating our informed
conscience, faith, and interpretation of our obligations.
We covenant together to elect, ordain, and install as
officers those members with suitable gifts who are called to
ministry, who are persons of strong faith, dedicated
discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ, and whose manner
of life is a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the
church and the world, without additional requirements
or restrictions.
the Presbytery of Milwaukee, meeting on the 27th day of January, 1998,
respectfully overtures the 210th General Assembly, meeting in Charlotte,
North Carolina, in June, 1998, to send an amendment to the presbyteries
asking for their affirmative or negative votes on the following:
"Shall the Book of Order G.6.0106b as approved in 1997 and as may be
amended in 1998, be deleted from the Book of Order?"
Ad in Washington Post, March, 1998
WE CHOOSE LOVE OVER FEAR
We, the Presbyterian congregations whose names appear below, see our
beloved Presbyterian Church (SA) today at a defining moment.
A year ago the Presbyterian Church (USA) changed its constitution to
exclude from ordained office in the church not simply sexual minorities b=
ut
a wide range of other people. Since then, we and others have supported a=
revision to make that provision less restrictive and more welcoming.
While this revision recently passed our Washington area Presbytery by a
large majority, nationwide it was defeated. We regret this decision and
pledge to work for the day when everyone who walks through our doors will=
encounter the mercy of God, the forgiveness of sins, the love of Christ,
and the opportunity to serve their God.
We choose to open our doors so that all may hear the Good News and serve
Jesus.
We choose love over fear.
We believe this is the path Jesus took.
This struggle in our church is about deeper questions than sexuality alone. It is about whether our faith and life together in Christ are based on adherence to a narrow, legalistic code, or on God's redeeming love for each of us as sinners.
We will continue to work for change, trusting the work of the Holy Spirit.
We especially will support and affirm those who are hurt by the church's
decisions, offering compassion and solidarity to those denied the
opportunity to serve the church.
Above all, we pray for the church we love and ask for your prayers.
Join us in a service of hope and solidarity, Sunday, March 29, at 4:00
p.m., Chevy Chase Presbyterian church, One Chevy Chase Circle, N.W.,
Washington DC.
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church
Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
Church of the Pilgrims
Clarendon Presbyterian Church
Colesville Presbyterian Church
Christian Community Presbyterian Church
Falls Church Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church (Arlington VA)
John Calvin Presbyterian Church
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Oaklands Presbyterian Church
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
St. Matthew Presbyterian Church
Southminster Presbyterian Church session
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church
Western Presbyterian Church (DC)
Westminster Presbyterian Church (DC)
Milwaukee Presbytery Covenant of Dissent
On May 27, 1997, the Presbytery of Milwaukee approved the following
"Covenant of Dissent:"
Milwaukee Overture to the 210th General Assembly
For the peace, unity, and purity of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.,