Roberts Begins Discussion of PCUSA Vote on Ordination of Practicing Homosexuals

While America's Episcopalians were deciding not to change their stance on elevating practicing homosexuals to the position of bishop, delegates at the Presbyterian Church, USA (PCUSA), were voting effectually to allow gays not intending to practice chastity to be ordained.

But, says PCUSA pastor, Bible scholar (Harvard-trained), and blogger, Mark Roberts, his denominational body acted in a schizophrenic body on the day of the vote. In another vote, by a lopsided majority, the PCUSA convention also reaffirmed its Book of Order, which specifically prohibits the ordination of clergy who intend to engage in unchaste behavior.

Writes Roberts:

The combination of these votes looks almost schizophrenic to anyone not familiar with the peculiar dysfunctionality of the PCUSA. On the one hand, the General Assembly voted by a strong majority (405-92) to leave the so-called "fidelity and chastity" section of our constitution intact. In plain language, the Book of Order of the PCUSA states that all ordained officers in the church must practice "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" (G-6.0106b). This is a standard that, until today, every leadership body in the church was expected to apply without exception to every leader and potential leader. Period. This is what the General Assembly reaffirmed with a resoundingly favorable vote.

Then there's the other vote. The same General Assembly voted by a 298-221 margin to accept a portion of the Peace, Unity, and Purity Report (PUP Report) that allows governing bodies certain leeway in how they apply the standards of the Constitution. To put it in a nutshell, the rules state clearly that persons who engage in sex outside of marriage may not be ordained. But, according to today's action of the General Assembly, leadership bodies are now free to decide whether they must follow the rules or not. So, on the same day we Presbyterians reaffirmed the rules with a strong positive vote, and then voted to allow people not to follow the rules. See what I mean? It's almost schizophrenic.

Near the end of his post, Roberts asks:

So, in light of the General Assembly vote to accept the PUP Report, is it time for biblically-committed Christians to leave the PCUSA?...

For anyone who cherishes her or his theological tradition, such questions are frightening to consider. That someone like Roberts, able and charitable, even raises the possibility of leaving his denominational home demonstrates the seriousness of the crisis now confronting that part of the Body of Christ known as the Presbyterian Church, USA. Read the whole thing, the first part of a new series. (My guess though, is that Roberts is committed to staying and standing firm, speaking the truth in love.)

(By the way, the stance of my own Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is that if persons who identify themselves as being gay or lesbian commit to living chastely, they may be ordained. Orientation to what the Church still regards as sinful behavior is a wrong basis on which to disqualify one for ordained ministry. After all, all people are oriented to at least one thing the Scriptures identify as displeasing to God. But if a person intends not to abide by this discipline of the Church, they may not be ordained. Ordination is not a right, but a privilege, conferred by God, mediated through the Church.)

[Thanks to John Schroeder of Blogotional and Rick Moore of Holy Coast for linking to this piece.]