wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Presbytery embraces Williamson, invalidates Lay

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Note #8099 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Presbytery embraces Williamson, invalidates Lay Committee ministry
04057
February 2, 2004

Presbytery embraces Williamson, invalidates Lay Committee ministry

by John Filiatreau

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Presbytery of Western North Carolina voted Saturday to
withdraw its validation of the ministry of the Rev. Parker Williamson, CEO of
the Presbyterian Lay Committee (PLC) and editor in chief of its publication,
The Presbyterian Layman.

	During a contentious Jan. 31 meeting, the presbyters approved a "hate
the sin but love the sinner" compromise, invalidating Williamson's PLC
ministry but allowing him to remain an active at-large member of the
presbytery and to keep his rights of voice and vote during its meetings.

	Williamson's work for the PLC had been classified as "other validated
ministry." The presbytery's Committee on Ministry had recommended that he be
declared an "inactive" member, which eventually could have led to the loss of
his ordination.

	The vote to withdraw the validation of the ministry was 150-106.

	After the balloting, Williamson objected that he had been rendered "a
sort of a 'man without a country,'" and immediately said he would seek a stay
of enforcement and appeal the decision to a church court.

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