A Line in the Sand

Last week, the Presbyterian Church (USA) officially changed its policy for ordination standards. Beginning in July, it will be possible for sexually active homosexuals to be ordained as deacons, elders, and ministers. For many people, this is a “line in the sand:” now that the denomination has crossed it, they can no longer in good conscience remain in the PC(USA). When I was in seminary back in the 1980’s, I wondered how I would respond if/when this time would come. Would I have to leave the PC(USA) and join a different denomination? Now that it’s happened, I know the answer. I’m staying.

I choose to remain in the PC(USA), even though I disagree with this change. I’ve studied arguments to the contrary, but I believe that the Bible speaks against homosexual activity. Someone who engages in such activity, and who believes it is consistent with God’s will for them to do so, should not be an ordained church leader. But I believe God continues to call me to serve in this denomination, for two reasons.

First, and most importantly, it’s not the big deal everyone makes it out to be. Sure; if you’re gay and you think God is calling you to ordained ministry, it matters to you. But for the rest of us, it shouldn’t be so important. At least, it shouldn’t be if we’re guided by Scripture. This issue does not rise to the level of importance in the Bible that we should disfellowship over it. Yes, I believe the Bible tells us that homosexuality is wrong. But it’s a parenthesis in the Scriptural witness; there are less than a handful of passages that deal with it. If, based solely on what the Bible teaches, we’re going to mat over something, this shouldn’t be it. There are many other things in our society that the Bible speaks much more clearly and strongly against. For example, will we deny ordination to someone who works on the Sabbath? Both testaments of the Bible go into great detail over this matter, and yet we seem to accept the fact that “good church people” violate this command without batting an eye. And again, what about treating the poor and disadvantaged of society with care and compassion? How about economic justice: making sure everyone receives fair and just payment for their labor? You can hardly read a page of the Bible without running into these issues. (By the way, according to Ezekiel 16:49, that was the real sin of Sodom, not homosexuality.) If we truly are guided by Scripture, as we claim to be, there are much bigger fish to fry and much more important issues to wrestle with. The ordination of homosexuals is not the litmus test for Scriptural authority that many people claim it to be.

Our reasons for focusing on this issue have more to do with cultural and personal preferences than they do with obedience to Scripture. Culturally, we’ve viewed heterosexual and homosexual misconduct very differently. It is only within the last couple decades that our society has not been scandalized by homosexuality, but go back forty or fifty years. Dean Martin and the rest of the “Rat Pack” were celebrated for their womanizing ways, but Rock Hudson had to hide his homosexuality if he wanted to have a career. By Scriptural standards, both were wrong. But our culture has condoned one while vilifying the other. Let’s not turn the Bible into a tool to justify cultural preferences; let’s use it to challenge and test the world around us.

There’s a second reason why I’m staying in the PC(USA): it’s the best way to witness to what I believe. For thirty-odd years, Presbyterians “on the other side” of this issue stayed and worked for change, even though the denomination repeatedly rejected their understanding of God’s will. While I disagree with them on this issue, I respect their faithfulness and perseverance. If I see something that I believe is wrong, my job as a Christian is not to cut and run; it is to challenge the error, even and especially when I get tired of dealing with it. The debate is far from over. The new policy gives each presbytery and session the authority to decide if a candidate qualifies for ordination. I will be one of hopefully many voices that will testify to the standards for ordination that I believe are right as these decisions are being made. If I, and others who view this matter like me, were to leave, there would be no testimony remaining. Unfortunately, this has already happened. Over the years, many people have left the PC(USA) out of fear that homosexuals would eventually be ordained. If they had stayed, spoken, and voted, the policy may not have changed.

There are things that are worth leaving a church over. This isn’t one of them.

Moderator's Letter to Beaver-Butler Presbytery on Ordination Standards

MODERATOR’S LETTER
TO BEAVER BUTLER PRESBYTERY
May 11, 2011

At its meeting last summer, the General Assembly proposed a change to the PC(USA)’s ordination standards stipulated in G-6.0106b of our constitution’s Form of Government. This proposal required approval by a majority of our denomination’s 173 presbyteries. Unlike previous proposals to amend this clause, the change has been approved as of May 10, with the 87th presbytery voting in favor of it. These new standards for ordination will take effect in July. While the change will affect other issues, the primary concern surrounding this debate has been the ordination of self-acknowledged, practicing, unrepentant homosexuals. This issue has deeply divided our denomination for decades, and the change will encourage some and will trouble others. It’s good for us to know exactly what the new policy is, and what the change will mean for us.

First, the previous clause stated:
“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 (W-4.9001), 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.”
and it will be replaced with the following clause:
“Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) 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 (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”

The effect of this change is to do away with a denominationally uniform standard for ordination and installation, and to empower each ordaining body (sessions for elders and deacons, presbyteries for ministers) to evaluate each candidate and determine their suitability. Because each session and presbytery is likely to have its own particular perspective on this matter, we are likely to have a wide variety of standards in place. It is important to emphasize that no new standards for ordination are being imposed upon sessions and presbyteries. More specifically, if a session or presbytery believes that unrepentant homosexual conduct or sexual activity outside of marriage disqualifies a candidate for ordination, then that body will be free to act upon its conviction and refuse ordination for such persons, or installation for service if they have previously been ordained by another session or presbytery.

What does this change mean for Beaver-Butler Presbytery? Although this change is a major shift for the denomination, our Presbytery’s standards for ordination will remain the same. While each candidate for ordination is considered individually, our Presbytery has established policies related to this matter. In 2002 we adopted an Affirmation of Faith which states, in part:
“We affirm that anarchy in sexual relationships is a symptom of our alienation from God, neighbor, and self and that the church is called to lead people out of this alienation and into the responsible freedom of the new life in Christ. We believe that God has provided for sexual intimacy only within the marriage relationship between one man and one woman.”
In 2009 the Presbytery adopted an Open Theological Declaration which states, in part:
“We will continue to uphold biblical standards for ordination, particularly in areas of sexuality…. We will not recognize ordinations that are constitutionally or biblically unsustainable. We will closely examine each candidate seeking admission to our Presbytery. We will not ordain candidates whose behavior violates the clear meaning of G‐6.0106b of the Book of Order [the clause which will be removed].”
Practices in Beaver-Butler Presbytery have affirmed and confirmed these policies. Unless an unexpected and dramatic change occurs in the policies and practices of our Presbytery, we will continue to follow the old standards of “fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness,” in full compliance with the new constitutional criteria.

According to the new clause in the constitution, each session will conduct an examination of candidates for ordination as elders and deacons according to its understanding of Scriptural and confessional standards. Our stated clerk has ruled that the policy of our Presbytery applies to its churches’ sessions and to its minister members as well. Candidates for ordination and installation as elders and deacons in our churches must also comply with the “fidelity and chastity” criteria.

Please join me in prayer that this change in our constitution will not cause undue consternation or divisiveness in our fellowship and, more importantly, that we serve and glorify our Lord and Savior in all we believe, say, and do.

In Christ,
Rev. Peter C. de Vries, PhD
Moderator, Beaver-Butler Presbytery