wfn.org | Presbyterians Still Opposed to Ordination of Homosexuals

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

Date: 27-Jun-96 
 
96241       Research Shows Presbyterians Still Opposed  
           to Ordination of Homosexuals, Though less So 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Though their numbers are gradually shrinking, 
Presbyterians continue to be largely opposed to the ordination of sexually 
active gay and lesbian persons to church office. 
 
     According to results of the February 1996 Presbyterian Panel poll 
conducted by the denomination's Research Services Office, all four groups 
sampled -- members, elders, pastors and specialized clergy -- voiced 
disagreement with the statement "The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should 
permit ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament of persons of 
homosexual orientation even if they indicate no intention to abstain from 
homosexual activities after their ordination." 
 
     Opposition to the ordination of gay and lesbian persons ranged from 53 
percent of specialized clergy to 74 percent of elders.  Members opposed to 
ordination of homosexuals totaled 67 percent, while 65 percent of pastors 
expressed opposition. 
 
     And those who are opposed tend to be strongly opposed.  Fifty-one 
percent of elders indicated they "strongly disagree" with ordination of 
gays and lesbians.  Near majorities of members (45 percent) and pastors (46 
percent) responded "strongly disagree" and 32 percent of specialized clergy 
so responded. 
 
     In its analysis, Research Services reported that "there may be some 
shift in recent years toward acceptance of the ordination of sexually 
active homosexual persons."  The analysis noted that the last time the 
issue was addressed by the Presbyterian Panel -- in April 1990 -- 
opposition to ordination of homosexuals was 10 percent to 15 percent higher 
in every sample. 
 
     The latest Presbyterian Panel results came from a survey of attitudes 
about "current issues" facing the Presbyterian Church.  The survey was 
commissioned by the General Assembly Council (GAC) after last year's 
General Assembly "directed the GAC to make it a matter of urgent priority 
to discuss fully issues about which Presbyterians are in disagreement. ..." 
 
     Panelists generally agreed that there are many issues causing 
disagreement among Presbyterians. The survey listed 21 possible areas and 
panelists rated almost all of them as "very important" or "important" 
sources of conflict within the denomination. 
 
     For members, heading the list were "what to emphasize as the mission 
of the church" (81 percent), "how to live out our faith in the world" (79 
percent) and "what to do about membership loss over the last 30 years" (79 
percent). 
 
     Those three were also highly rated by pastors, along with "what we 
believe about Scripture" (93 percent), "homosexuality and ordination" (91 
percent) and "what we believe (that is, our theology) in general" (85 
percent). 
 
     Moreover, panelists tended to believe that the level of disagreement 
over most issues in the church has increased during the past five years. 
And on no issue did a majority of any group of panelists believe there is 
less disagreement now than five years ago. 
 
     Except in the members category, more panelists -- especially pastors 
-- view national church staff and leaders unfavorably than favorably. 
Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of pastors believe that national staff and 
leaders are "out of touch" with congregational life.  Fifty-eight percent 
of elders and 51 percent of specialized clergy feel that way.  The largest 
response among church members was "don't know" (36 percent). 
 
     On other matters, however, pastors are more supportive of the national 
church.  While more than two-thirds of members and 60 percent of elders 
believe that more of their congregations' donations to the national church 
should be designated for specific purposes, equally large majorities of 
pastors (70 percent) and specialized clergy (72 percent) believe just the 
opposite. 
 
     And while majorities of both clergy samples believe "congregations 
should take steps to generate more money for programs of the national 
church," most members and elders disagree. 
 
     Again, 64 percent of both members and elders said they view the main 
purpose of any "denomination-wide organization" to be "to meet the needs of 
local congregations," while a majority of pastors (53 percent) and a bare 
majority (51 percent) of specialized clergy indicated that is not the 
principal purpose of denominational organizations. 
 
     Panelists were presented with a list of 11 items and were asked to 
indicate which they thought should be given more attention.  All four 
groups -- ranging from 76 percent of specialized clergy to 84 percent of 
elders -- rated "membership growth and decline" as needing the most 
attention.  The second highest response among members went to "Christian 
education" (68 percent).  "Christian education" was rated third by pastors 
(71 percent).  They gave their second ranking to "starting new 
congregations" (76 percent).   

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