wfn.org | PCUSA - Church Orders and Ministry Committee hears from both sides of G-6.0106b

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Church Orders and Ministry Committee hears from both sides of G-6.0106b

Will also ask full Assembly to affirm role of certified Christian educators

> July 6, 2010

> GA219 Communication Center

> by Bethany Furkin

> MINNEAPOLIS

The Church Orders and Ministry Committee of the 219th General Assembly heard 
many personal stories surrounding ordination standards Monday, both from 
overture advocates and during the open hearings.

To no one?s surprise, the statements covered a wide variety of convictions and 
experiences.

During the open hearings, commissioners heard from many in favor of and opposed 
to upholding the PC(USA)?s current ordination standards as outlined in the Book 
of Order (G-6.0106b) ? officers in the church must either be faithful in 
marriage between a man and a woman or be chaste in singleness.

Among those in favor of upholding this standard had been counseled by 
organizations like One by One and Outpost Ministries in turning away from 
same-sex attractions and gay lifestyles.

Commissioners also heard from those who pushed for broader ordination 
standards. Many youth from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta spoke in favor of 
inclusivity, as did several Presbyterians who have faced barriers because of 
the standards.

Some overture advocates opted to pool their presentation time to deliver more 
cohesive arguments. Several advocates called for authoritative interpretations. 
The Rev. Jerry Andrews, co-moderator of the Presbyterian Coalition, spoke for 
several presbyteries in favor of maintaining ordination standards and said that 
Jesus is the one authority of the church and his will is set forward in 
Scripture.

On the other side of the debate, 21 overture advocates collaborated to call for 
the deletion or amendment of G-6.0106b, saying the standards create two classes 
of  members.

Commissioners broke into small groups to discuss overtures in these three 
categories. Many reported that while the issue of ordination standards is 
tiring and divisive, a moratorium would feel like shirking responsibilities and 
would not bring peace.

In other business, the committee approved an overture affirming the role of 
Certified Christian Educators (CCE). The overture directs presbyteries to give 
CCEs and Certified Associate Christian Educators voice only, and CCEs who are 
also ordained elders voice and vote, while they serve under the jurisdiction of 
the presbytery.

The committee also approved an overture calling for an evaluation of the 
PC(USA)?s call system that would make recommendations to the 220th General 
Assembly (2012). The goal is to find ways to shorten the amount of time that 
churches seeking a pastor are without one .