Responding to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution Changes

Responding to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution Changes 1

! Basics of Presbyterian Government! Amendment 10-A! Eastminster Core Beliefs vs. PC(USA)! Salvation through Jesus Christ Alone! Authority of Scripture! Sanctity of Life! Definition of Marriage! Ordination Standards! PC(USA) New Form of Government (nfog)! Conclusion! Why discuss this now?! Options! Potential Impact on Pastors, Missions, Property 2

On May 10, 2011, a majority of the presbyteries in the PC(USA) ratified an amendment ( 10-A ) to our denomination s constitution that will change the standards for the ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons in the PC(USA). 4

How Does This Change the PC(USA) Constitution? Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any selfacknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Standards for ordained service reflect the church s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life. The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation shall examine each candidate s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates. Previous paragraph New paragraph 5

Amendment 10-A :! Leaves ordination standards up to each presbytery.! Removes statements about following moral laws.! Intentionally allows broad interpretation and application with "Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ" language.! Removes statement about the need for repentance.! Reduces Holy Scripture to a guide. 6

It will likely be used by some churches and presbyteries to approve the ordination to the offices of the church of non-repentant, practicing gay and lesbian persons as well as others who are practicing intimate sex contrary to the teachings of Scripture and God s intent for the expression of this beautiful gift only within the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman. 7

! The actions of the denomination have not mandated changes in how Eastminster thinks or acts.! Core values and beliefs were communicated in the May 12 th congregational letter. 8

Core Belief of Eastminster: We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all who put their faith in Him. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ and there is no other supplement or means.

Trends within the PC(USA) indicates changing beliefs about Jesus Christ:!! 2008--Survey by the Research Services of the PC(USA) shows that less than half of PC(USA) pastors, elders, and members believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

!! 2008--General Assembly encouraged common worship between members of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Such common worship makes sense only if those with whom we worship share the same belief about who Jesus Christ is and what He did.!! 2010--The PC(USA) proposed new Form of Government (nfog) states that God redeems and transforms all things and all people, suggesting support of universalism the idea that ALL people will be reconciled with God.

Core Belief of Eastminster: We believe that the entire Bible is the Word of God true and infallible; inspired by the Holy Spirit to lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to help them understand His nature.

Trends within the PC(USA) indicates changing beliefs about the authority of Scripture: 2006--The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity, in its final report to General Assembly, affirmed a shared love for Scripture but seemed to trivialize disagreements in essential matters. The report put a higher priority on harmony than truth. We believe that truth must always have priority over unity, and while we value fellowship and mutual learning, the glue that holds us together must be our shared belief in Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture.

Core Belief of Eastminster: We believe the Bible supports the sanctity of both pre-natal and post-natal human life.

The PC(USA) does not support the sanctity of human life:!! For many years the PC(USA) has supported free and open access to abortion without legal restrictions or even moral opposition.!! 1994 and 2001--Overtures which expressed opposition to partial birth abortion were rejected.!! 2010--The PC(USA) was one of 16 signatories to a letter sent to the White House opposing any restrictions to abortion that might be tied to the new health care reform legislation.

Core Belief of Eastminster: We believe that marriage was designed as a covenant relationship between a man and a woman, sanctified by God.

Trends within the PC(USA) indicate changing beliefs about the definition of Marriage: 2010--A Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage to 219th GA, 2010 (Preliminary Report) stated: We acknowledge that our interpretations of Scripture lead us to different conclusions regarding homosexual behavior and samegender partnerships. We all confess that Scripture holds out a transforming hope of radical change in Jesus Christ that requires us to be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. However, for some of us, that makes faithful, mutually loving, marriage-like unions of samegender couples unacceptable: for others of us, that makes faithful, mutually loving, marriage-like unions of same-gender couples acceptable.

Trends within the PC(USA) indicate changing beliefs about the definition of Marriage:!! 2008--A same sex couple who signed a California marriage license received a standing ovation by General Assembly members. The couple was declared legally wed at a General Assembly dinner.!! 2010--The General Assembly eliminated the identification of marriage as between a man and a woman in its proposed ordination standards.

Core Belief of Eastminster: We believe that those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historical confessional standards of the church. Among those standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.

PC(USA) has changed its beliefs about ordination standards:!! November 2009--The GA s Permanent Judicial Commission handed down a ruling that upheld the right of an openly homosexual man to declare a departure from ordination standards as a proper exercise of conscience.!! 2009--The San Francisco Presbytery voted to ordain the first openly homosexual minister in the denomination with a departure from the fidelitychastity standard to a position of advocacy for overturning that same standard.

!! 2010--The General Assembly approved a change (known as Amendment 10-A ) in ordination standards that would: i. eliminate the call to obedience to Scripture, ii. eliminate the call to conform to historic confessions of the church, iii. eliminate the identification of marriage as between a man and a woman, iv. eliminate the call to faithfulness in marriage, v. eliminate the call to chastity in singleness, and vi. eliminate the requirement to repent of sin as a condition of ordination.

nfog will change PC(USA) s beliefs about church session power and authority!! Powers not specifically granted to the Session by the new Constitution are not allowed by the Session, but are reserved to Presbyteries.!! Session authority in nfog is less defined, less detailed and less structured, and interpretations of that authority rest at General Assembly level.

nfog will change PC(USA) s beliefs about congregational power and authority!! Congregational powers are reduced. Currently, congregational powers shall include electing elders, calling pastors, changing pastoral relationships, dealing with property, etc. The nfog says congregational powers shall be limited to electing elders, calling pastors, changing pastoral relationship and dealing with property.

! The Presbyteries approval of this action has changed the PC(USA) Constitution.! Denies the truth and authority of Scripture.! Redefines what the Bible calls sin to conform with the world s standards.! Misleads people into believing that they can sin without confession or repentance, or can choose a non-biblical definition of truth. 27

! In 2008, we adopted a Salt and Light strategy.! We felt that we could be a positive influence for the truth of the Scriptures. 28

What are the Options for Consideration? 1. Remain in the PC(USA) 2. Remain in the PC(USA) and work even harder for internal change through Presbyterians for Renewal, The Fellowship, or other Evangelical groups 3. Separate and become independent 4. Separate and affiliate with another Reformed denomination 29

What Would Be the Effect of Separation on Our Pastors?! Each pastor would decide whether he would leave or remain with PC(USA)! Each pastor must be approved if joining a new denomination! No pastor or congregational financial impact expected 30

! No impact, because our missions are not through the denomination! Remaining in PC(USA) could hurt some of our missionaries by association with the new standards 31

! The PC(USA) Book of Order says that the property is held in trust for the denomination.! We believe that the risk to our property is low, having taken appropriate steps to protect our property rights.! We would seek gracious separation as opposed to civil court action. 32

How and When Will Eastminster Decide?! PRAYER!! Session wants to inform and listen to you, the congregation.! Session will study the alternatives and make a decision on recommended course of action as soon as possible.! PRAYER!! If recommendation requires a congregational vote, as leaving PC(USA) would, Session will call a congregational meeting.! PRAYER! 33

! See the Presbyterian Lay Committee website http://www.layman.org/home.aspx! See the Presbyterian Coalition website http://www.reclaimbiblicalteaching.org/! See the PC(USA) website http://www.pcusa.org/! See The Fellowship website http://www.fellowship-pcusa.org/! Communicate with your session members. 34