wfn.org | Coalition, Covenant Network Leaders Call for "Sabbatical"

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20-May-1998 
98189 
 
    Coalition, Covenant Network Leaders Call for 
    "Sabbatical" on Ordination Standards 
 
Editor's note: The following statement was issued May 19 by leaders of the 
Presbyterian Coalition and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, who were 
invited by General Assembly stated clerk the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick to 
find a word to speak to the denomination on the issue of sexuality and 
ordination.  The next issue of "NEWS BRIEFS" will report on reactions to 
the statement. - Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
    A Call to Sabbatical in The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 
 
Introduction 
 
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is at a crossroads.  We have spent the 
last 20 years in debate, taking actions in the General Assembly, voting on 
constitutional amendments, and engaging in judicial process related to 
concerns over human sexuality and ordination.  We believe that continued 
reliance on overtures, amendments, and judicial process will not lead us to 
a new vision or to the restoration of Christian community but may well lead 
us to division and schism. 
 
We believe the time has come for our church to enter into a sabbatical 
season on these issues. 
 
A sabbatical is not meant to be an end to discussion and learning.  It is 
meant to be a season of peace and rest from the confrontations of recent 
years.  A sabbatical would be a time to refrain from seeking legislative 
and judicial solutions to our conflicts so that they may be dealt with in 
our congregations and presbyteries primarily in a personal and pastoral 
manner.  A sabbatical would be a time to engage in reflection and 
repentance, a time to listen to God together, and a time to reaffirm and to 
celebrate our life and mission together as God's people. 
 
A sabbatical would not change the policy of the church, as amended in the 
"Book of Order" G-6.0106b.  It also would not remove the deep sense of 
alienation which many Presbyterians feel over the provision.  It would 
allow us to engage this and other crucial concerns such as Christology, the 
authority and interpretation of Scripture, and the mission of the church in 
a changing culture and world in an environment that is not overshadowed by 
pending legislation or threatened judicial actions. 
 
Our Appeal to the Church 
 
We realize that there is no way to require such a sabbatical in the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and we do not propose any specific General 
Assembly action to achieve it.  However, we do appeal to you, our sisters 
and brothers in Christ, to re-direct our energies for the next number of 
years. 
 
During such a sabbatical we appeal to all Presbyterians to: 
    *  Honor and respect our Constitution (both the "Book of Order" and 
       "The Book of Confessions"). 
    *  Resist the inclination to develop further overtures to amend the 
       constitution with regard to ordination and human sexuality. 
    *  Resist the inclination to provoke or initiate judicial 
       confrontation. 
    *  Make a fresh commitment to treat those with whom we disagree on 
       these matters with respect, refraining from personal attacks, 
       accusations, defamation of character or intrusive exposure of sexual 
       orientation. 
 
We believe that God is calling the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to a better 
way of living together as the body of Christ, and we invite you to join us 
in this endeavor. 
 
Our hope is that we will honor our ordination vows by working diligently 
and praying earnestly for the peace, unity and purity of the Church.  We 
are looking to God to redeem us from our present tensions and fears and to 
guide us into a season of restored respect, greater wisdom, and a more 
effective witness for our Lord. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly 
John Buchanan, Co-moderator, Covenant Network of Presbyterians 
John Galloway, Pastor, Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, PA 
Jack Haberer, Moderator, Presbyterian Coalition 
Roberta Hestenes, Moderator, Human Sexuality Committee 208th General 
Assembly (1996) 
Laird Stuart, Moderator, "Book of Order" Committee, 209th General Assembly 
(1997) 

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