Kruse Kronicle

GA Update

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by

mwkruse
in

I had intended to update my Presbyterian friends about events at the PCUSA General Assembly yesterday. Lots of business went down. The Form of Government report is being sent to the presbyteries for study. The committee resolution to the issues I had written about concerning the Presbyterian Foundation and the General Assembly Council passed without debate. Modifications to the Heidelberg Catechism will be sent to presbyteries for study. Gradye Parsons was elected Stated Clerk this morning. I could list other events, but I’ll refer you to the GA website instead.

The biggest breaking news came this morning. An authoritative interpretation was made that clarifies that beliefs and actions may be scrupled and behaviors as well. In this process, a candidate for ministry declares a scruple, and if the presbytery believes it doesn’t violate essential tenants of the reformed faith, they may approve the candidate anyway. The target is the Book of Order provision G-6.0106B, which, “…prohibits practicing, unrepentant homosexuals, adulterers, or anyone engaged in unrepentant sexual relations outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman from being ordained and/or installed to church office whether as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”

Speaking of G-6.0106B, the Assembly is sending out to the presbyteries an amendment to delete this provision from the Book of Order. The same motion also made the 1978 authoritative interpretations that homosexual practice is sin no longer in force.

In short, while at this time, G-6.0106B remains part of the Constitution, it is no longer binding, which means for the first time it is officially sanctioned to ordain people openly engaged in homosexual activity, assuming concurrence of an ordaining body. I think many are taking a long hard look at what their response should be going forward.

Comments

10 responses to “GA Update”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    How can an AI override explicit text in the Book of Order?
    If GA passes an AI saying that a Session or Congregation can make decisions by consesnsus rather than using Robert’s Rules, would that be legitimate?

    Reply
  2. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Sorry that my 3rd paragraph failed to completely materialize.
    Two obstacles have stood in the way of ordaining avowedly homosexually active persons.
    First, is the 1978 AI calling homosexual acts sin. Second, the G-6.0106B section of the Book of Order.
    The actions today rendered the 1978 AI irrelevant. The new AI does not affect the the Book of Order. However, because the Assembly also has given an AI that says you may scruple behaviors all that is needed is for a candidate for ordination to find a church or presbytery (depending on the office) that deems sexual behavior inconsequential and you have sanctioned ordination of avowedly homosexually active persons. Local option, essentially.
    So it is true that the AI does not affect the Constitution but the first AI effectively makes adherence to the Constitution optional. Does that help?

    Reply
  3. Alan Wilkerson Avatar
    Alan Wilkerson

    Your last comment is right on. A very long hard look… I never thought GA could be as bad as this. I’d always had a sense of hope or at least a sense that it will work out in the Presbyteries but not this time.
    We didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot we’ve blown our brains out. Good luck brother talking sense to them.
    Alan

    Reply
  4. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Anon, I forgot. Concerning your question about Robert’s Rules, I don’t think it would work qutie that way. The is about standards to used for ordination. I suppose you could have a candidate with a theological objection to Robert’s Rules. Then the ordaining body would have to decide what to do.
    Alan this is all still fresh so it is hard to get perspective. But I do presently have a deep foreboding about it.

    Reply
  5. Neil Avatar
    Neil

    Here we go again. I’m not at all surprised by this. Our system continues to create deep division and further resentment between disagreeing parties. Is there no end to this issue?

    Reply
  6. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    I fear this round is going to be particularly brutal.

    Reply
  7. Andy Avatar
    Andy

    Mike, on a lighter note, can you help me understand the creation of the $2 million litigation fund?
    I read the resolution that was passed by GA. It seems to suggest that the money will come ONLY from a voluntary fund established for the purpose, not from per capita. But it also promises $180,000 or so to the Presbytery of Northern New England. So this is my question for a guy who knows these things:
    If churches don’t pony up voluntarily, will that 180,000 be made up out of per capita? It does seem to be an iron-clad promise. And is it possible that the GAC or Synods would “donate” to the fund out of per capita?

    Reply
  8. Robert F. Avatar
    Robert F.

    In 1st Kings chapter 17, Elijah is camped by the brook. It dries up. God sends him to Zerephath.
    Our brook has dried up. God wants to send us to Zerephath. Will we listen? Will we obey? Will we go to Zerephath?
    In many ways this is a relief. Perhaps enough will realize we just had an apostate assembly. We no longer can stay. The brook has dried up. I suspect the EPC is Zerephath, but much prayer & listening is required.

    Reply
  9. Josiah F Avatar
    Josiah F

    For the change in the Book of Order to take place, there has to be an majority vote of approval from the 173 regional Presbyteries.
    The first vote from a Presbytery is in.
    At the 111th stated meeting of Palo Duro Presbytery. The amendment altering the ordination standards failed by a 29 for, 47 against vote. The bulk of the Presbyteries across the country will be voting on this in February.
    Even though it was in Texas, the make-up of the voting body in this Presbytery is very mixed and the majority are moderates (with just a few far left and right).
    Lets hope this voice of reason keeps rolling.

    Reply
  10. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Thanks for your update, Josiah.

    Reply

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