wfn.org | Church Leaders React to Call For "Sabbatical"

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3-June-1998 
98198 
 
    Church Leaders React to Call For 
    "Sabbatical" on Ordination Standards 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Reactions from church leaders vary widely regarding the 
recent call for a denomination-wide sabbatical on issues of human sexuality 
and ordination by six church leaders, including the stated clerk of the 
General Assembly. 
 
    The "Call to Sabbatical" 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 on the issue of sexuality and ordination (see the May 
29, 1998, edition of  "NEWS BRIEFS," issue No. 9816). 
 
     The statement was signed by the stated clerk and by the Rev. John 
Buchanan, co-moderator, Covenant Network of Presbyterians; the Rev. John 
Galloway of Wayne, Pa., pastor of Wayne Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Jack 
Haberer, moderator of the Presbyterian Coalition; the Rev. Roberta 
Hestenes, moderator, Human Sexuality Committee, 208th General Assembly 
(1996); and the Rev. Laird Stuart, moderator, "Book of Order" Committee, 
209th General Assembly (1997). 
 
    The 1996 General Assembly approved Amendment B - the commonly called 
"fidelity and chastity" amendment - which became G-6.0106b when the 
presbyteries voted to ratify it last year. The 1997 General Assembly 
approved Amendment A - the commonly called "fidelity and integrity" 
amendment - which was soundly defeated by the presbyteries as a proposed 
revision of G-6.0106b. 
 
    The only action submitted to this year's Assembly related to the 
content of G-6.0106b - from Milwaukee Presbytery - calls for its deletion 
from the "Book of Order." 
 
    "This movement is not going on sabbatical," commented Laurene 
Lafontaine, co-moderator of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 
(PLGC). "There is simply too much at stake in the lives of gay, lesbian, 
bisexual and transgender Presbyterians and their families for us to even 
think about backing off from this long-term struggle for justice." 
 
    Scott Anderson, also co-moderator of PLGC, pointed out that the process 
used for developing the "Call to Sabbatical" did not include any 
representatives from the individuals or groups most impacted by the 
statement. "It feels very patronizing to us that heterosexual leaders are 
meeting to decide what's best for gay and lesbian Presbyterians," Anderson 
said. "The `Call to Sabbatical' will make many of our people feel 
disempowered, driving more faithful Presbyterians to leave the 
denomination." 
 
    But others, such as the Rev. Joe Rightmyer, executive director of 
Presbyterians for Renewal, essentially concur with the "Call to 
Sabbatical." 
 
    "Basically we are in agreement that the idea of a sabbatical, 
especially for this year's Assembly, in regard to any further overtures 
having to do with ordination or dealing with any changes or alterations to 
the substance of Amendment B, is a good idea," Rightmyer said. 
 
    "Our understanding of the sabbatical does not preclude responsibility 
under our constitution that blatant violations of our constitution must be 
addressed for the sake of the unity of the church as well as the 
sabbatical," Rightmyer said. "And the two are not mutually exclusive." 
 
    Rightmyer said he believes the sabbatical is needed because "the entire 
denomination is weary of the kind of effort and cost that's required from 
dealing with such constitutional changes." He said the PC(USA) has voted 
twice now on the ordination issue and "the majority believe the matter has 
been settled." 
 
    "We need to practice good Presbyterian polity and let the majority rule 
and test the results for a period of time," Rightmyer said. 
 
    Dick Lundy, co-moderator of the More Light Churches Network (MLCN), 
said that the "Call to Sabbatical" is rooted in fear and a basic distrust 
of the Presbyterian form of government. 
 
     "Our foremothers and forefathers designed a system of church 
government that allows people who disagree with the policies of the 
Presbyterian Church to petition our legislative bodies and courts for 
redress.  Why can't we trust this process to work?" Lundy said, pledging 
PLGC and MLCN will continue to bring overtures to the General Assembly 
calling for a change in church policy "until the church changes its mind." 
 
    The Rev. Parker T. Williamson, executive director of the Presbyterian 
Lay Committee, agreed to comment with the understanding that his remarks 
represented his personal beliefs only, and not necessarily those of the Lay 
Committee. "While I have the highest respect for my two colleagues and 
friends, Jack Haberer and Roberta Hestenes, I do not believe that the `Call 
to Sabbatical' is a helpful statement for the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.)," Williamson said. 
 
    Williamson said he believes the statement is open to a variety of 
interpretations, complicated by the fact that it now appears the 
signatories themselves differ significantly in what they mean by it. 
 
     "I do not believe that an ambiguous statement, capable of multiple 
interpretations, gives this denomination any clear guidance as to how it 
should proceed," Williamson said. "The church has clearly spoken in its 
constitutional document, and as Presbyterians we are obliged to uphold and 
obey the constitution. Suggestions that the implementation or enforcement 
of sections of the constitution is negotiable are not helpful to the 
Presbyterian Church." 
 
    Eugene TeSelle, president of the Witherspoon Society Executive 
Committee, expressed "deep regret" over the statement. 
 
    "Although the words of this `Call' are beautifully crafted, they serve 
to endorse and perpetuate an unjust church system which excludes 
Presbyterian gays and lesbians from official leadership roles," TeSelle 
said. "These issues will not go away. It may well be that governing bodies 
and judicial commissions will find new ways to resolve our current 
disputes, and we do not want to stifle that process. Those issuing this 
`Call' want peace, as do we. But we would all do well to remember another 
call made familiar during the civil rights era: "If you want peace, work 
for justice." 

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