wfn.org | [PCUSAnews] Hundreds of commissioners gather for presentation on ordination issues

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6686 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Hundreds of commissioners gather for presentation on ordination issues
14-June-2001
GA01125

Hundreds of commissioners gather for presentation on ordination issues

by Sue Boardman

LOUISVILLE, June 14 — “Will you give up your seat to a
commissioner?” asked organizers at Wednesday night’s
presentation of material related to the work of the Assembly Committee on
Ordination Standards.

The optional, late night gathering drew hundreds of commissioners and
observers wishing to hear what overture advocates had presented in that
committee, prior to acting on a sweeping proposal to change the
constitutional language of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The issue regarding the ordination of gay and lesbian persons as ministers,
elders and deacons is expected to reach the floor of the annual business
meeting on Friday.

	Advocates utilized a polished Powerpoint format to highlight the history
and present policy of the denomination concerning the ordination of gay and
lesbian persons.  It offered an understanding of the principles of freedom
of conscience and the duty to forbear often expressed by the phrase,
“God alone is Lord of the conscience;” models of interpreting
Scripture and the historic confessions of the church and “a promise
for reform,” calling for a “more excellent way.” Personal
stories of the faith journeys of gay and lesbian Presbyterians and those who
support them were interspersed with the formal presentation.

	In a brief appearance at the gathering, Moderator Jack Rogers quipped,
“I believe in education and somebody here is doing a powerful job of
education to draw this many tired people at this time of night!”
Rogers went on to thank commissioners for availing themselves “of this
opportunity to learn about what we’re going to be working on in this
Assembly.”
	
According to leaders of the Covenant Network, who assisted in organized the
event, the program presented at the Assembly will be available to
presbyteries and churches across the denomination for their educational
needs.
	
	

_______________________________________________
pcusaNews mailing list
pcusaNews@pcusa.org

To unsubscribe, go to this web address:
http://pcusa01.pcusa.org/mailman/listinfo/pcusanews