wfn.org | Mixed emotions at press conference

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

21-Jun-1997 
GA97126         Mixed Emotions at Press Conference 
SYRACUSE--Members of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 
(PLGC) and a member of the board of Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) 
held a joint press conference shortly after the Assembly acted to 
send the presbyteries a less restrictive version of Amendment B, now 
G-6.0106b. 
     Scott Anderson, Laurene Lafontaine, and Jane Spahr, of the PLGC, 
were pleased with the vote while cautioning that the action is "a 
mid-course correction, not a stunning reversal," according to 
Anderson.  James Logan, of PFR, on the other hand, expressed concern 
for the peace and unity of the church, while Lafontaine called the 
action "a necessary small step toward justice and reconciliation." 
     Asked if the motion to amend G-6.0106b was part of the PLGC's 
program, Anderson said, "No, we sat in the committee room like 
anybody else.  The committee (the Assembly Committee on the Book of 
Order) was in charge.  We didn't know it would happen."  Concurring 
with Anderson, Lafontaine said she didn't know what to expect coming 
into Syracuse, but the Assembly's action "is a note of grace."  
Anderson said the action doesn't change the status of gays and 
lesbians in terms of ordination.  "It is a nuance, not so harsh, more 
gracious," he said. 
     Logan said that governing bodies are not an exact reflection of 
the general populace of the church.  He is pleased that the Assembly 
is less contentious this year than last, but he is concerned about 
the issues.  "With foundational issues, it is almost impossible to 
find common ground."  He expressed concern for the financial health 
of the denomination, noting that "funds began flowing in after the 
passage of Amendment B." 
     Spahr responded that when other churches have withheld funds 
when dissatisfied with Assembly actions, the More Light churches 
continue to pay their per capita apportionments and mission pledges.  
"Those prohibited from ordination are giving the money," she said.  
"Thousands have left because of the Presbyterian Church's stand 
against ordination.  Be careful when we talk about financial 
attrition.  Be fairminded.  Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered 
people want fidelity and integrity as much as heterosexuals.  We are 
for fidelity, for commitment, for integrity in relationships," Spahr 
said. 
     There are fundamental issues on both sides, said Logan as he 
noted the membership losses of the last several decades.  There are 
issues people feel passionately about.  "I fear greatly that there 
are going to be Presbyterians on both sides with the best intentions 
who have no more stomach for this issue," Logan said.  He has heard 
more talk of leaving the church at this Assembly than ever before.  
"Until we can agree on the fundamental issues it will be hard to talk 
about the Great Ends," he said.  "It's hard to do when I have a 
fundamental disagreement on issues.  It's hard to find how we can 
work together.  We'll continue to see a widened rift." 
     The question, "What will be different if the amendment is 
approved by the presbyteries?" elicited responses from all four 
panelists.  Lafontaine said that the amendment calls for integrity in 
all relationships, and includes the whole Presbyterian family.  "It's 
not exactly what we want," she said, "but it's a step in the right 
direction." 
     Logan said that he is concerned that this is an incremental step 
and that it waters down the historical standards of the church.  He 
said that the amendment "sends a fuzzy message to young people" when 
clarity is needed. 
     Lafontaine said that Presbyterians have incredible breadth and 
depth and she is saddened that "we can't get along because of who we 
are.  The church has called me to serve.  We're serving the faith and 
will continue to serve.  The ordination of women didn't happen 
overnight.  We're in for the long haul," she said. 
     "Jim (Logan) finds homosexuality a sin, we find it a gift," 
Spahr said.  "How can we share our faith together?  It's our very 
being you're saying no to." 
     "Is my sexual practice an essential tenet of the reformed 
faith?"  Anderson asked.  "I don't see it as a Christian fundamental, 
my sexuality.  Our polity is set up to put us in conflict with each 
other.  That's the way we are as Presbyterians.  The Holy Spirit is 
always moving, always challenging us to grow." 
     To compare the issue of the ordination of homosexuals to the 
ordination of women is like comparing apples and oranges," Logan 
said.  He finds a better analogy in the Old School/New School split.  
He is concerned and even frightened for the future of he church.  
"The issue won't be solved easily," Logan said.  
 
Nancy Rodman 

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