Yes on Amendment 10-A

Welcome to MLP's Amendment 10-A Site

2011-08-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

On July 8, 2010, the 219th General Assembly (2010) proposed a change to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Constitution that would remove barriers to the ordination of openly lesbian and gay candidates to ministry by a vote of 373-323-4. The proposed change also needed to be ratified by a majority of the 173 presbyteries to become part of the Constitution. This site was active during the Yes on Amendment 10-A ratification campaign which ended on May 10, 2011 when the Twin Cities became the 87th presbytery to pass Amendment 10-A.

Pacific Presbytery After Ratification / Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / May 10, 2011

Campaign Results

Campaign Resources

Grassroots Work

New Ordination Guides Available for 10-A

2011-07-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Fair, accurate interpretation and implementation of 10-A, now known as G-2.0104 is our top priority. We have created Ordination Guides from an affirming perspective and we have sent them to staff in all 173 presbyteries. These guides are designed with the following persons and groups in mind: Sessions and nominating committees; seminarians, candidates and inquirers; Committees on Ministry and Preparation; Executive Presbyters and Stated Clerks; and Seminaries.

You can download, print out, share and use this Guide now by clicking the blue Download link next to the Scribd logo below. You may also share (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), embed or email the guide using the blue Share link on the right of the header below.

We need to get this affirming Guide in the hands, hearts, minds and actions of every Presbyterian congregation, every Committee on Preparation for Ministry and every Committee on Ministry. We believe that G-2.0104 can be a blessing for our Church and world. For 10-A to make the difference it can make, we need to make sure that it is understood, honored and followed by every church and presbytery. We know this is a tall order: 11,000 churches in 173 presbyteries. All of us doing our part can make this happen. Together we are building a Church that reflects God's heart.

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses

2011-06-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Our Honor Roll of Saints

Rev. David Sindt

A great cloud of witnesses is part of the change in our Church and the passage of Amendment 10-A. Since the founding of More Light Presbyterians in 1974 with the coming out of Rev. David Sindt, thousands of Presbyterians have prayed, dreamed and worked for our Church to welcome and affirm LGBT persons and their families.

While many of us are privileged to have been part of this historic moment, thousands of faithful LGBT Presbyterians and allies did not live to see the moment they worked to make possible. A special "honor roll" of these saints has been created to help all of us know and remember them. We need your help in completing this honor roll. Who should be on the list? If you would like to add someone, please enter their name here...

View the Honor Roll of Saints

To Evoke the Better Angels of Our Own Nature

2011-06-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

James Wieland is an ordained Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, New York and gave the following floor speech to the Presbytery of Western New York. Western New York passed 10-A by 77 to 44.

More Light Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church

Good Morning -

My name is James Wieland. I am a pediatric dentist, a life long Presbyterian - baptized in 1955, confirmed in 1970, and ordained as an elder in 1994. I was a lifelong member of the Youngstown Pres Church, until I transferred my membership to Westminster, 6yrs ago.

I can also describe myself as a born-again Christian, an ordained Elder, and an openly gay man. Born–again in the spirit and body of Christ, and I was made a new. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour.

My mother was a Sunday school teacher, my father a lifelong trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school, in Youngstown. It was a great church to grow up in but, I clearly remember hearing about the sin of homosexuality being preached from the pulpit in Youngstown. I must have been 8 – 10 yrs old.

From that time, until about 12 yrs ago, no matter what I had accomplished, how much my family may have loved me, or whatever “things” I had in my life – the shame that I felt about myself was an overwhelming factor leading my to grotesque self-abusive behavior.

Hate is an extremely powerful emotion. I had many suicide attempts, was entangled in severe alcohol/drug abuse and eventually found myself having been in jail, numerous hospitals and mental institutions and very near death.

Literally, I have been from Harvard yard to the grave yard, and back.

I was living a lie - lying to myself, to my friends and family. I too, was dying – in mind, body and spirit!!

Somehow, I never left the church… or more correctly stated, God would not allow me destroy the life that He had freely given me.

I stand before you today, simply because of the Mercy and Grace of God. Without His love, compassion and concern for me as a human being, a gay man…. I would not be alive.

Twelve yrs ago, I was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. I was so sick that I do not remember asking for God’s help, but what I did receive was a second chance at life. I have been freed from the demons of addiction and self-hatred that had haunted me for many years.

I just celebrated my 12th anniversary of a clean and sober life, and nine yrs ago, this past March 13th; I underwent a successful liver transplant….

His Mercy and Grace are the only reasons I am alive today. I am becoming the person that He meant me to be – My church family is a very integral part of my life – I can look to any of them for support, love, and full acceptance, with the assurance that His spirit is omni-present in all...

I can only be a power of example to others, live my life with honesty and personal integrity. I thank God everyday for His gift.

To paraphrase former president Jimmy Carter – “My faith demands - that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have - to try to make a difference”

I would also like to share part of a story from Mike and Janet Fazzini members of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, the Pittsburgh Presbytery and PFLAG. I met them at a More Light national conference and they have a gay son.

“A well-loved local minister — a closeted gay man — committed suicide. That’s when we went from being passive as Christians to becoming active. It was incredible that a man of such faith, with a wide circle of people who admired and loved him, who meant so much too so many, nevertheless could be so hidden and so threatened by the prospect of being outed. He had loving people all around him yet he could not be fully honest with them. We may not have known him personally but it was a defining moment for us as Christian activists.”

James 3:17-18 “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It knows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.”

In closing, remember these words from Abraham Lincoln that we are here today “…to evoke the better angels of our own nature.”

Thank you and God bless.

NBC LA: Presbyterian Churches Vote to Ordain Gay Ministers

2011-05-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

After 33 years of debate the Pacific Presbytery has voted to allow openly gay people to be ordained as Ministers, Deacons and Elders. Brian Symonds, who hopes to become the first openly gay person to be ordained in Southern California, talks about the decision with Colleen Williams on Nonstop News LA.

View more videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com.

More Light Update, May 2011

2011-05-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thousands of Presbyterians all across the country are expressing their hopes and dreams for a Church that:

reflects the heart of God by embracing all persons,
embraces a "no boundaries" Gospel that is "good news" for all persons, not just some,
celebrates ordination standards that will now focus again on faith and character rather than marital status or sexual orientation,
does not discriminate!

More Light Update, May 2011

Living and Loving Honestly, According to the Way I Was Created

2011-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Kevin Henderson

Kevin Henderson's speech in Sheppards & Lapsley. Kevin is an ordained elder at Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Homewood, Alabama and an inquirer under care of the presbytery. Sheppards & Lapsley passed 10-A by 80 to 52.

Mr. Moderator, I am Kevin Henderson, Commissioner from Edgewood Church, an Inquirer under the care of this Presbytery, and a soon to be seminarian.

Two years ago I told this body that after decades of struggle and denial -- including marriage and children -- I finally accepted that God made me a gay man.

Two years ago when I made that statement, I was in the 12th year of a faithful, committed relationship with my partner, Steven. Because of that relationship, G-6.106b deemed me unfit for ordained service regardless of my calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for ministry.

Eleven months ago, Steven passed away suddenly. This devastating loss, paradoxically, has made me “acceptable” for service because I am now a single man living in chastity. The irony of this is absolutely heartbreaking.

As I mourn Steven and move towards seminary, I have thought about what would happen if I am ever blessed to again find another faithful partner. Would that change my qualifications or my gifts for ministry?

I am grateful that 92 presbyteries have voted for Amendment 10A, allowing me to be judged according to the traditional standards of our denomination while living and loving honestly, according to the way I was created.

I urge you to join our sisters and brothers in the growing majority of presbyteries and vote Yes on Amendment 10-A.

See Also:
Presbyterians to drop ban on gay clergy, The Birmingham News
Quotes about 10-A from Kevin Henderson were published in the The Birmingham News on Tuesday, May 17.

Amendment 10-A Is Ratified

2011-05-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

Grace and peace. We give thanks to God that the 219th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 10-A was ratified tonight as Twin Cities was the 87th presbytery to approve it by 205 to 56 with 3 abstentions.

Tonight Presbyterians join the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as denominations who have eliminated official barriers to full membership, leadership and service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. This is indeed a historic moment in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA), but also in the worldwide Christian communion.

More Light Presbyterians have been working for justice and equality since 1974 when the Rev. David Sindt became the first openly gay minister in our Church. "I am so grateful for the sacrificial effort of so many people over these years to bring this deeply Reformed correction to an error made by the Church. Both during these months as the presbyteries have voted and for the last 37 years, you have courageously and steadfastly given of yourselves in a host of ways to bring our Church to this moment. Every bit of your energy, intelligence, imagination and love was needed to come to this new day. I am grateful to God for the privilege of being part of this witnessing community," said the Rev. Janet Edwards, Co-Moderator.

"My heart is full as I think of all of those children of God who were hurt, who persevered, who left, who stayed and who worked so hard to make the Presbyterian Church (USA) truly reflect the wildly inclusive love of Jesus Christ—too many to name. Now, candidates for office within the PC(USA) will be evaluated based upon their love of Jesus Christ, the wholeness of their lives, their call to ministry and the gifts they bring," said Trice Gibbons, Co-Moderator.

"It is necessary and absolutely OK to celebrate this moment in the life and witness of our Church, the end of categorical discrimination against God's LGBT children which was wrong in the first place. What a journey this work for justice and equality has been. The thousands of prayers, faithful conversations, sharing of hopes and dreams are all part of building a Church that reflects God's heart and a world that respects all persons," said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer.

We are grateful for the work that still lies before us. The YES on 10-A Campaign continues full steam ahead until the last presbytery votes on June 28. Please keep believing, praying and working. We need to nurture and support churches to extend calls to LGBT candidates and help those candidates through the process for ordination in their particular presbyteries. We need to continue the conversation on marriage equality. Above all, we need to help the whole church see that the affirmation of LGBT persons and their families is a practical application of the Gospel message that God in Christ creates and loves us all. Proclaiming the Gospel lasts a lifetime.

There is much work ahead of us for our Church. But tonight, let us recognize this kairos moment in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the liberating gift it is for our future. Together we are building a Church that reflects God's heart.

with hope and grace,

Rev. Janet Edwards, Co-Moderator

Trice Gibbons, Co-Moderator

Michael J. Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer

The National Board of Directors and Staff of More Light Presbyterians

The Consequences Will Surprise You

2011-05-11T09:25:00.001-07:00

Rev. Randall Tremba

We invite you to consider the surprising consequences at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in Shepherdstown, West Virginia where gays and lesbians are publicly welcomed. Rev. Tremba, Minister of Word & Sacrament since 1976, has a D.Min. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is married to Paula and has three children, two dogs and a cat.

Below you will find links to a recent interview with Rev. Tremba, the Presbyterian Outlook Ad, the letter he wrote to the Shenandoah Presbytery in support of Amendment 10-A and a slide show about life at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

On November 10, 2010 the Shenandoah Presbytery failed to ratify Amendment 10-A by a vote of 93 yes to 106 no. The Shenandoah vote for Amendment 08-B in 2009 was 82 yes to 112 no.

Resources by Rev. Tremba

Slide Show of Life at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church:

My Two Cents on 10-A

2011-05-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

Rev. Dr. David E. Ensign

Rev. Dr. David E. Ensign is Minister of Word and Sacrament at Claredon Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA. The National Capitol Presbytery passed 10-A by 204-80 (with three abstentions).

National Capital Presbytery met Saturday to vote on proposed changes to the denomination's constitution, including the amendment known as 10-A, which would remove the categorical barrier to the ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender candidates for church office.

Here's the brief statement I made during the debate.

When we talk about this I always hear so much fear about what will happen if we change the Book of Order.

At Clarendon we have been living into the spirit of the language before us today for the past 15 years. We’ve been quite open about this, ordaining, we believe, the first openly gay, partnered elder in Virginia in the mid-90s.

What happened? A few people left the church, and a great many more have since joined, and we’ve moved right on baptizing babies, confirming young people, observing the sacraments, proclaiming the gospel, comforting the sick and the grieving, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, working for justice, making peace, inviting people into lives of faithful discipleship.

That first gay elder would be here today to vote except that he and his partner of more than 20 years had to go to Florida today to attend the funeral of the neighbor of an elderly cousin for whom they had cared – keeping her finances, arranging her housing, visiting her countless time, going to church with her at her Presbyterian congregation in Florida – during the last decade or so of her 95 years.

I mention that circumstance simply to underscore what most of us have come to know well: that there are countless faithful, compassionate and profoundly gifted Presbyterian men and women in our midst who happen to be gay or lesbian.

It is far past time to acknowledge this simple fact, and to make the way be clear to the ordained service of these men and women who are called to such service. I urge you to vote to approve 10-A.

The amendment passed NCP on a 204-80 vote (with three abstentions), and now stands three presbyteries short of being affirmed. Change is slow, but it is a-coming.

Reprinted from Faithful Agitation.

Faith & Character: Standards for Ordination

2011-05-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Rev. Abby King Kaiser

Rev. Abby King Kaiser's speech to the Presbytery of San Francisco. San Francisco became a transformed presbytery and passed 10-A by a vote of 198 to 143. Rev. Kaiser is Minister of Word and Sacrament at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church in Oakland, California.

A year ago, at the April meeting of this presbytery, I was examined for ordination with a departure. I chose to use the scrupling process to register my theological dissent about G 6.0106b. In the very messy process, I experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in my conversations with the Committee on Ministry (COM) and with this presbytery.

But, as much as I experienced grace in the departure process, it was God’s grace through a broken system. I decided to declare a departure on grounds of theology, not practice. I was asked by both COM and on the floor of presbytery if I was in compliance with G 6.0106b. I answered in the affirmative.

I was surprised by a few things. First, the number of people who agreed with me who discouraged me from declaring a departure. This was by far the most heart-wrenching part of the ordination process for me. I reconsidered my calling because pastors I respected questioned whether this was worth it. If ordained leadership might bind my heart in this way, keeping me from following the Spirit of God I experienced and the Christ of scripture that I know, should I really become a pastor?

Second, I was surprised to find how deep fear runs in candidates for ordination of diverse theologies, diverse backgrounds and diverse sexualities throughout the denomination. We may not agree on who Jesus is in our lives, but as we step in front of our calling presbytery to be examined for ordination, we share a deep fear. To me, this is a sign of a broken relationship between candidates and presbyteries and a broken system.

Third, I was surprised by one response I got the morning after my examination. I received an anonymous email that said:

Amy,

If you are a practicing gay, then you should certainly find another line of work. I apologize if I have made the wrong assumption.

Signed, A Presbyterian

When I responded by refusing to answer the question (having done so in front of presbytery the night before) and noting that this person didn’t even know my correct name, the addressee continued to assume that I was a lesbian. This person said that though God may love me for who I am, deep in the quiet of my heart, I know that God abhors my lifestyle.

When I challenged this person to continue this conversation face to face, I never heard from them again.

When a brother or sister Presbyterian feels empowered to anonymously question not only my sexuality, but thereby my character, integrity and faith, something is wrong. Relationships in our denomination are broken and our system is broken.

I am voting proudly, excitedly and enthusiastically for 10-A tonight because I believe it is possible for presbyteries and the denomination to craft an ordination process that encourages grace filled relationships that base our fitness for ministry on our integrity, character and faith, using a high standard of joyful submission to the Lordship of Christ in all aspects of life.

Presbyteries will have the opportunity and responsibility to get to know candidates deeply and well throughout the process. In order to do this, 10-A compels them to use Scripture and the Confessions as the source for their standards in regards to each individual candidate. 10-A respects and supports the individual needs of candidates, enabling healthier relationships with Presbyteries of care and call. 10-A makes fitness for ministry about a candidate’s character, integrity and faith. 10-A allows us to live as one body, preaching the good news, while respecting a healthy diversity of theologies. 10-A makes the ordination process clearer and the standards higher.

In Scripture, God calls the most unlikely of candidates to prophecy and ministry. Moses felt inadequate. Jeremiah felt too young. Elijah waited for the voice of God, only to hear it in the most unexpected way. And these are just the big players. The woman at the well took the good news of an experience with Christ to her people, Samaritans, despite her gender and ethnicity that would have excluded her from religious leadership. Our current ordination process does not allow for people of character, integrity and faith, who might seem unlikely candidates, to serve the church. It is quite likely that Moses, Jeremiah, Elijah and the woman at the well could not have survived the ordination process.

And yet, in almost the same breath in the first letter to Timothy, Paul encourages and discourages my ministry. He reminds me that my youth is a strength and not a weakness. Then, he tells me to keep quiet and be saved through childbirth because I am a woman. Scripture is not always clear.

The voice of God is. I stand before you tonight, almost at the first anniversary of my ordination, because I heard God speaking first in Scripture, but then through mentors in ministry, communities I served, my presbytery of care, the congregation I serve and this presbytery, which I am proud to be a member of. I hope that the passage of 10-A allows my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, whose call is just as, if not more, clear, to join me in ordained service to the church.

Moderators Letter on Amendment 10-A

2011-04-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Moderators Rick Ufford-Chase, Freda Gardner and Bruce Reyes-Chow

Download and Share Moderators Letter on Amendment 10-A

April 27, 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace and peace to you. While we've had the remarkable opportunity and privilege to serve as Moderators of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we are simply 3 Presbyterians as well. We are keenly aware of this moment in the life of our beloved Church as presbyteries continue to vote on the 219th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 10-A.

We've been asked what we think about 10-A, so we decided to share our thoughts and hope with you in this way. We also know that some in our Church are anxious about 10-A and its passage. We imagine similar fears were expressed about women's ordination. All of us are aware of the natural kaleidoscope of feelings in the midst of change.

We believe that Amendment 10-A will be profoundly helpful to the mission, future and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Rick Ufford-Chase: "Those who know me well know that I have believed for a long-time that we should drop any ordination standards that single out one particular class of people for exclusion. They also know that I have been frustrated at our inability to reach a theologically honest accommodation with one another, too often to the detriment of our ability as a church to take on the critically important work in the world to which God calls us.

Amendment 10-A will allow us, finally, to do just that. It doesn’t make our disagreement go away, but it places the conversation about ordination back in the context in which it belongs. Each of us brings unique gifts, and also unique challenges, to the practice of ministry in the service of Jesus Christ. It has always been the role of local congregations and presbyteries to weigh the gifts and the challenges of each candidate and to determine whether that person is genuinely called by God to the service at hand. Amendment 10-A reaffirms that history and places the obligation for such discernment back where it belongs once again.

As a result, several generations of faithful followers of Jesus who have been categorically excluded from service will feel welcome to explore their call within our denomination. Folks like my fifteen year old, whose life experience of people who are gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender has only been positive, may begin to feel like the church is worth a second look.

In any case, this is the right thing to do. Let’s affirm our shared gifts, and our shared brokenness, and get on with the work of healing the world and building up the reign of God. I’m grateful for the movement of God’s Spirit as Amendment 10-A nears passage, and hope that you will add your voice and vote toward the movement of that Spirit."

Freda Gardner: "In the beginning God created heaven and earth and sometime after that: humans...of two varieties. And God claimed them as God's own and God's own son came among us to guide our lives and evoke all that was good about us. And we multiplied, made good and bad choices, loved and hurt each other and we discovered we are not all the same. For some love leads to marriage and that covenant calls to everyone who enters it and to all who live in the same world with them to honor them as God obviously did and does in creating them. And God kept and keeps calling us back to what was intended: that we love and care for the earth and each other. For every "each other”, even those who make us uncomfortable. Comfort is not the criterion…faithfulness is. It is out of this call from God for us to care for each other that I ask you to join me in supporting Amendment 10-A."

Bruce Reyes-Chow: "I am not naive enough to think that any statement by any former moderator will change your mind on Amendment 10-A. After all this time, from both “sides,” we have heard thoughtful interpretation from Biblical scholars, we have shared deep stories of pain and yearning and we have all entered into a time of reflection and discernment about the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA) when it comes to our standards of ordination. I have no doubt that each of us has been faithful.

So what I offer to you today is simply this, with thousands of others in our church, I stand up as one more asking you to vote yes on 10-A. I am humble enough to know that I will never fully understand the will of God and the mind of Christ about anything, but I am just as confident that God is moving the Presbyterian Church (USA), even in the midst of our deep division, to a place of full inclusion of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. For as deeply as I understand my limitations, if I do not stand up and vote for inclusion, I do not honor the God that Christ has led me to know. Now is not the time for silence, waiting or further posturing, now is the time to vote yes and I urge you to do just that. I am trusting in the unfolding of God’s reality for us all."

With God's grace,

Rick, Freda & Bruce

Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator, 216th General Assembly, PC(USA)

Freda Gardner, Moderator, 211th General Assembly, PC(USA)

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator, 218th General Assembly, PC(USA)

An Open Letter to the Presbyterian Church From One of Your Baptized Kids

2011-04-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

April 25, 2011

Michael Adee

Grace and peace to all of you. I was baptized as an infant at First Presbyterian Church, Billings, Montana. I was taught faith, Scripture, the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and confirmed at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sulphur, Louisiana. As a kid and teenager, I loved going to church and being part of a church family. I sang in our church choir with my Dad, loved our youth group of four and the all-church potluck dinners. I had Jesus' bumper stickers on my 1963 VW bug when I was in high school. I probably annoyed some of my friends in high school and college with my Christian zeal.

When I affirmed being gay in my late twenties, the Church was no longer a safe or loving place for me, so I left the Church. I give thanks to God for being loved back to faith by Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. I was ordained and installed as an Elder there. I've served as an Elder at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati and First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I began serving as a volunteer with More Light Presbyterians in 1991 and on staff since 1999. I would not be in the Presbyterian Church, or in any church, if not for Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church and their unconditional welcome and invitation to serve God with them.

I believe the 219th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 10-A offers this kind of unconditional welcome and invitation to faith, grace, salvation, church membership and ministry to all of God's children, not just some.

I've put a lot of my heart, thought, reflection on Scripture, prayer and my life experience into why I wholeheartedly support 10-A and believe it is a gift for God for our Church right now. Our Church will more lovingly and accurately reflect God's heart with the approval of 10-A.

My Top Ten Reasons to Support Amendment 10-A

1. This amendment returns our Church to the historic Presbyterian way of focusing upon faith and character as qualifications for ministry, not martial status or sexual orientation.

2. This amendment honors God's call to ministry and the recognition of gifts for ministry given by God to people regardless of gender, race, marital status, sexual orientation or other human differences.

3. This amendment allows for local congregations to call ministers, elders and deacons who can best meet the needs within their own communities.

4. This amendment affirms the moral equality of all persons and ends discrimination based upon marital status or sexual orientation.

5. This amendment affirms God's diverse creation that we can see in Scripture and in our life together in community.

6. This amendment affirms the gift of love by God to persons not limited by gender or race; and it provides support for the beautifully diverse and sacred reality of love and faithfulness experienced by couples and families in our world today.

7. This amendment allows our Church the chance to shift from 37 years of debate, legislation and judicial cases about sexual orientation and to place our energies on mission, service and a hurting world that needs our care and ministry.

8. This amendment is a helpful solution to the 14 years of departure from the historic Presbyterian standards for ordination. It's time to be honest, G-6.0106b has failed our Church. This "fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness" requirement has brought nothing but hurt, suspicion, division and driven people away from our Church.

9. This amendment affirms that God's creation, God's love, God's grace and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are available for all persons, not just some.

10. This amendment affirms Jesus' commandment for us to love God, neighbor and self; and to recognize as Jesus' taught that all persons are neighbor in God's world, no exceptions.

Imagine, dream, pray and work with me for a new way of being Church and serving in our world with the passage of 10-A.

with hope and grace,
Michael

Living Together in the Church of Jesus Christ

2011-04-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Arlo Duba

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Presbyterian Church (USA),

I am convinced that the Holy Spirit was at work, moving me to a deep study of scripture that caused a change of my mind on the inclusivity of the Gospel. Luke in particular stresses the trajectory of inclusion that culminates in the story of Peter and his vision of the sheet, an experience that was for Peter most disturbing.God taught Peter that he should call no human being profane or unclean. He was challenged again and again, from Acts 10:28, until he finally said, “If God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God? (Acts 11:17)

Given Miriam and Deborah, leaders in the Old Testament, our previous exclusion of women is incredible. Given the acceptance of persons who are of a different race, or who are different in sexual or gender orientation, as found in Jeremiah (38:7) and Isaiah (56:3-8), there is Old Testament evidence that the prophets already saw the injustice in such profiling. Many from our previous generations didn’t see this. The inclusiveness of the Christian faith becomes most evident in Luke/Acts, though it is also evident in Paul’s emphasis that God’s grace, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a gift offered to every human being.

Both Peter and Paul obeyed the call to go beyond the limits of their “plain reading of Old Testament scripture” and they became powerful leaders in the church.The same thing can happen today. Those who we turn away could become power-houses of the Holy Spirit in the future of the church. In the New Testament we find instance after instance of a trajectory that moved from alienated fear, to inclusion, to vigorous leadership.

Since writing the article that appeared in the Presbyterian Outlook, I have received many letters from folks who were surprised, remembering that I had agreed with what I thought was the biblical stance regarding persons of a different sexual or gender orientation. A few say that they can’t agree with me, but many have been encouraged. Some have friends and relatives who would be excellent leaders if only the church would receive them. As for me, I have continued my Bible study and find more and more in scripture to deepen my conviction in this matter.

My fervent hope is that we will stick together through any transition, recognizing that many of us, obedient to the Holy Spirit, have seen what many are now saying about this period in the church. We Christians have identified ourselves by our differences, instead of by our agreements. On this side of the Second Coming, we must live as Walter Kaspar says, in a “differentiated consensus” and even with “complementary opposites.” In the Church of Jesus Christ we must live together. We must live out our answer to Jesus’ prayer for our unity (John 17:11 & 20).

I believe that we must trust in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I believe that only a fragment of covenant faithfulness is represented in the present G-6.0106b. Covenant faithfulness is more thoroughly modeled theologically in the new text: “to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). Yes, that puts a burden on the members of Candidates Committees, but on the other hand, it relieves them of the possibility that they might be put in a position where, according to our present constitution, they must on occasion hinder God. Please consider a “Yes” vote in support of the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Yours in the service of the gospel,

Arlo D. Duba

Rev. Duba is the Former Director of Admission & Director of Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Former Dean at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

See Also:
By Grace Alone
My Mind Was Changed

Honoring the Christ-Inspired and Intentional Inclusiveness of Our Polity

2011-04-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

A member of Hillsboro Presbyterian Church shared this letter that the Session wrote and sent to other congregations in the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee in support of Amendment 10 A. The presbytery discusses and votes on 10-A on May 5, 2011.

March 23, 2011

From: The Session of Hillsboro Presbyeterian Church

To: Sister Churches in the Presbytery of Middle TN (via Clerks of Session)

At our May 5th Presbytery meeting in Clarksville, our representative Presbyters will vote on proposed Book of Order Amendment 10-A which replaces G-6.0106b. If this Amendment passes, sexual orientation will no longer be a litmus test prohibiting ordination of Elders and Ministers in the PCUSA.

Our Session, by vote of 15 to 1, shares the consensus opinion of the PCUSA General Assembly Church Orders and Ministry Committee on this question. We believe G-6.0106b elevates the Book of Confessions over the authority of Scripture. We note that Jesus said nothing on the issue of homosexuality specifically. We find, with the Committee, that the New Testament is quite ambiguous on the issue, offering a wide range of interpretations. Thus, we believe this issue is best left to God, and that the present text of G-6.0106b mars the otherwise Christ-inspired and intentional inclusiveness of our Polity.

We hope our Presbyters will vote in support of Amendment 10-A, and we encourage our sister churches to review as background for the May Presbytery meeting http://oga.pcusa.org/pdf/proposed_amendments3.pdf as well as additional arguments for the Amendment at http://www.amendment10a.org.

We close by including the Book of Order text that will be stricken and its italicized replacement if Amendment 10-A should pass nationally.

Sincerely

The Session of Hillsboro Presbyterian Church

Insert:

Current G-6.0106b

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.

Amendment 10-A

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.

See Also:
219th General Assembly Overture Advocate Speeches for Including All in Ordination
219th General Assembly Legislative Summary for July 8, 2010

Presbyterians Celebrate San Francisco Presbytery Vote in Support of Allowing Gay Clergy

2011-04-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

Media Contact: Janet Edwards 412.302.3827
Media Release: April 12, 2011

All across the United States, Presbyterians have been voting in each of the 173 regional presbyteries to determine whether or not the Presbyterian Church (USA) will drop the ban on gay clergy. The yes vote in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 12, puts the denomination seven votes away from the simple majority required to enact this historic change. But contrary to public opinion, San Francisco Presbytery was not necessarily expected to vote yes.

“While San Francisco has often led in equality in civil society, the San Francisco presbytery did not always vote to support LGBT people in ministry. But here, and in places like Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia, we are seeing changed hearts. We believe God's Spirit is at work as more people are understanding that faith and character are more important considerations for ministry than one's marital status or sexual orientation," said Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians.

The 198-143 vote on Tuesday, moves the Presbyterian Church one step closer to joining the millions of people in three other major Protestant denominations that accept ministers based on their skills and qualifications rather than who they marry or chose as a life partner.

The nationwide vote to garner a majority of the 173 regional presbyteries began after their national legislative body meeting in July of 2010 in Minneapolis. For the fourth time, leaders at the General Assembly voted to eliminate the requirement of "fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness" which has been a barrier used against gay clergy. Previously the amendments did not pass; but each time more and more support was recorded in the presbyteries. Today, with 35 presbyteries left to vote, only seven more “Yes” votes are required for the amendment to pass. Supporters are hopeful that the 51% required votes will be reached by the middle of May.

"This amazing support for amendment 10-A reveals that Presbyterians want to return to the historic Presbyterian way of selecting officers to serve in the Church. Local governing bodies can more effectively discern the gifts and qualifications of ministers, elders and deacons. Our Church and world will benefit from the service of LGBT persons as we learned when we removed the barriers to women serving in the Church," said the Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians.

###

More Light Presbyterians, a national network of people and congregations seeking the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Local Presbyterian Leaders Favor Gay Ordinations

2011-04-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Good news from the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love about 10-A. On March 22, the Presbytery of Philadelphia passed 10-A by 182 to 108. Here are Michael Adee's comments to the Philadelphia Gay News about the vote.

Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians, which works for the full participation of LGBT individuals in the Presbyterian Church, said this year’s vote looks more promising.

This marks the first time that the “yes” votes are ahead, and 14 presbyteries that voted against the policy change the last time around have switched sides.

“We stand at a remarkable moment in the life of the Presbyterian Church,” Adee said. “We are just 13 votes from ratification of the policy change, so we’re starting down a tunnel of probable policy change right now. But this isn’t just about policy change, it’s really about cultural change. It’s about people understanding that LGBT people can be faithful Christians, good ministers and officers in the church.”

While cultural change has been spreading throughout the country since the last vote, Pennsylvania still has a way to go — of the state’s 11 presbyteries that have thus far cast votes on 10-A, only Philadelphia and Donegal did so in support. Three more presbyteries will vote before June, with only one, Lehigh, having approved the amendment last time.

The Presbytery of Pittsburgh voted 163-80 against 10-A and the Presbytery of Shenango, which will vote in June on the measure, two years ago voted 101-4 against ratification, making it one of the most conservative in the nation.

But, Adee noted, advances have been made in the Keystone State.

The Presbytery of Donegal, which covers York, Lancaster and Chester counties, was one of the 14 that switched to “yes” votes in the past two years, and Philadelphia widened its margin of votes about 10 percent, up from the 2009 vote of 153-139.

“I’d compare Pennsylvania to what we’ve been seeing in places like Georgia, where we had one presbytery that supports it with an overwhelming margin — Atlanta — and then for the first time Savannah also voted positively, but we expect big losses in a lot of the other presbyteries throughout the state,” Adee said. “And a key difference in Pennsylvania is looking at the presbyteries of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. They’re both very large, major cities with large gay communities and universities and a lot that would make you think they’d support change, but the cast of the Pittsburgh presbytery is still pretty hardline conservative.”

Adee said the fight for LGBT participation in the Presbyterian Church dates to 1974, when the Rev. David Sindt was the first Presbyterian minister to come out. Several years later, a church commission undertook a study to determine how gay and lesbian ministers could fit into the church and, despite a recommendation that open gay and lesbians be permitted to serve, the General Assembly in 1978 approved a policy banning the ordination of open gays and lesbians. The rule, however, left the decision of the ordination of celibate gays and lesbians up to local-level church leaders.

In 1996, the church amended its policy to include the “fidelity and chastity” language, and efforts have been undertaken at each General Assembly since for its repeal.

Adee said the building momentum to overturn the policy and allow full participation by LGBT people has been inspiring, especially in light of the role that religious organizations have played in constructing the social consciousness toward gays.

“This vote on 10-A goes a long way in changing that and creating a different way of understanding moral equality for LGBT people and straight people. This isn’t about ordaining every gay person — one still has to be qualified. But ordination needs to be about faith and character, not marital status and sexuality.”

Read the full article at Philadelphia Gay News.

When Exclusions and Fears Disappear, the Fruits of the Spirit are Planted

2011-04-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Katie Turpen

Katie Turpen serves the Presbytery of South Louisiana as a Young Adult Volunteer. South Louisiana became a transformed presbytery and passed 10-A by a vote of 46 to 28.

Hello. My name is Katie Turpen, and I am currently serving the Presbytery of South Louisiana as a Young Adult Volunteer. I came to this Presbytery in August to journey along side others in the rebuilding of lives and communities in southern Louisiana. In my short time here volunteering with the outreach missions of two small churches in New Orleans, I have been blessed to witness the warm spirit and ever present resilience of the people of this Presbytery. It is a privilege to be able to work in a community with such loving individuals, and it is a privilege to be able to speak before you today.

Our denomination currently finds itself amidst a time of change and transformation. My hope and prayer for the PCUSA is that in a world crying out for justice and peace that we can answer our call to affirm and accept people of all walks of life. I feel too often my generation is discouraged by the church because they see its mission as gate keeping, and where love should reside, they see only exclusion. I feel God is calling us to return to our original purpose which is opening our doors with compassion and love in the same way Jesus opened up his heart to the people on the margins. If we are to be living reflections of Jesus’ teachings, we must allow all of God's children to be welcomed and affirmed for who they were created to be. If a person exhibits an individual calling, faithfulness, suitability, preparation, and the gifts of ministry and leadership, then he or she should be given the opportunity to be an ordained leader using unique gifts to share Christ’s love.

Our history reveals that when exclusions and fears disappear, the fruits of the spirit are planted. By seeing each other as God sees us, as the Beloved, our eyes and hearts are opened to see these fruits reflected in one another. Once again, I am honored to be able to speak to you today and to be a part of this Presbytery and the fabric of the PCUSA. I hope you vote "Yes" on Amendment 10-A. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your time.

Knowing LGBT People as Christ Does

2011-04-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

When we know LGBT people as Christ does, we will be with them as Christ is. And we will sin no more.

I got to know my uncle in my childhood when he would come to Pittsburgh from his home in California. He would arrive in the Fall with his friend, who my grandmother adored. Telling stories is an art form in my family so many October afternoons, year after year, were given to listening in as the adults swapped stories on my grandmother’s side porch or sitting room. My uncle and his friend would stay for some days before traveling in the East, enjoying the change of season. Nothing was said beyond how much my grandmother appreciated these opportunities to catch up with her oldest son and with his friend.

In college I began to connect the dots, putting together that my uncle was probably gay and his “friend” was his partner. Still, nothing was said, and this idea wasn’t something I could run by my family.

Then, in the mid-1990’s when I was middle aged, I was visiting with my aunt. She told me the story of her brother, my uncle: How his father had ridiculed him for being gay; How the family had twice sent him to a sanitarium in New England to be “cured” to no effect; How his effort to enlist in World War II had failed because he was gay; How a small inheritance allowed him to move to what, for this family, was the edge of the world, Southern California.

It was there that my uncle met his partner, years before I was born. They bought a house in 1955, which his partner still lives in to this day. My parents visited them a few times, but I did not go there until a few years ago. When I did, I came home with a large stack of family photographs, wedding pictures and framed Christmas card family pictures, saved over seven decades. My uncle’s partner still has the best recollection of family history of anyone in our senior generation. I am sure he heard about all these relatives over and over through the years.

My uncle grew up in a Presbyterian Church. He was a devout man but he did not go to church. Though the Crystal Cathedral was nearby, he was certain he would not be welcome and, sadly, he was probably right. So he would watch church on TV instead. His partner would slip in and out of Mass at the Catholic parish church, until he stopped doing that too. The church failed them both.

I confess to them and to the millions of LGBT people like them that we, the church, have sinned against you and against God who made you good.

My uncle suffered from what is common in my family: strokes. For most of the 1990’s he was bedridden. When his partner could no longer care for him at home, my uncle moved to a nursing home where his partner came to care for him and be with him every day. My uncle died at age 89 in 2000. He and his partner had been together 52 years.

I don’t share their names here today because I still am not sure they would associate themselves with being gay. I never talked with them about it. They were a couple committed to one another in a time where they faced severe stigma. And I know that they were for me the single most important thing to open my eyes to God’s full love for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. If truth is in order to goodness and the goodness of these men is proven by their fruits then they are good and worthy of full participation in the life of the church.

I am very grateful this perspective on God’s will for us was in place so early in my life.

If you say you do not know of any LGBT people, you can say it no more. It has been my joy to help you know a little about my uncles. And I encourage you to read through the great conversations I have been privileged to have with lovely LGBT Christians over the past two years. When we know LGBT people as Christ does, we will be with them as Christ is. And we will sin no more.

Reprinted from Rev. Janet Edwards' Blog, A Time to Embrace. Rev. Janet Edwards serves as Co-Moderator on the National Board of More Light Presbyterians.

What Will Amendment 10-A Mean If Passed?

2011-04-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Brian Spolarich

Floor speech from Brian W. Spolarich. Brian moderates the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) at Northside Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI and is a former MLP Board Member. He also served as Clerk of Session. The Presbytery of Detroit passed 10-A by 113 to 66.

Given the perennial nature of the matter before us this afternoon, I want to respond to two big questions that are likely in the minds of many of us in the room. First, “Why do we have to keep voting on this question?” Second, “What will Amendment 10-A mean if passed?”

A flip answer to the first question might be “Until we get it right!” but I think that there is a deeper truth at work here.

Hear then these words from the 32nd chapter of Genesis:

Then Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” So too I think we lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in this denomination have been wrestling, wrestling with this church and its discriminatory policy that has been used to prevent us from claiming the equality promised to us by Christ Jesus, an equality sealed by our baptism and remembered each time we share a common loaf and cup with our heterosexual sisters and brothers.

I want to also point out that it has taken an act of not civil, but “ecclesiastical disobedience” to have a person officially banned from ordination argue for the adoption of this Amendment. I am deeply humbled to have the privilege to speak on behalf of those who have been silenced in our Church for too long.

We will not let you go unless you bless us. Not because we believe we “deserve ordination”, or have “more light” than anyone else, but because we have felt the Spirit’s calling in our own hearts. Some of us have been raised in this denomination, and others have come as adults. But we are your sisters and brothers, and we want to serve alongside you using the gifts that the Spirit has seen fit to give us, in the ways that God has called us to serve.

As to the second question: what would this Amendment actually mean to my church and this Presbytery if adopted?

It would mean that governing bodies would be permitted to determine a candidate’s fitness for ordained office using the same historic principles and standards that have served this denomination well for the past 232 years. No congregation would be forced to ordain or install anyone they do not feel God has called to that office, nor would this Presbytery be required to ordain a minister that it did not likewise feel was called to that ministry.

And crucially, it would be those in closest relationship with the candidate who would make that determination, both through personal discussion and the biblical process of discernment and consent by election, subject to the movement of the Spirit. However it does put lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of this denomination on equal footing with our heterosexual brothers and sisters. And it does so on the basis of relationship, which models the same values that Jesus taught us in His ministry.

To put this in the most practical terms, at Northside, this has meant that we have had people who disagree with us, like Reverend Bohn [Rev. Christine Tiller-Bohn was an “Against” speaker who followed me], moderate the Session on which I served as clerk. We can work together.

Some have argued that by amending G-6.0106(b) we will open the floodgates for sexual immorality in our denomination. I do not find such ‘slippery slope’ arguments persuasive, and I am confident that we can trust ourselves to apply the high standards for ordination that have existed in our denomination for the last 232 years.

The important question here is whether we will approve this amendment and uphold our historical Presbyterian principles of fairness and equality, or whether we will instead continue to arbitrarily ban one group of people from ordained service, representation, and leadership.

Some will also argue that the amendment before us does not go far enough. But I believe that this Amendment represents a practical solution, a “third way” that enables us as a connectional church to move forward together, while honoring the gifts of faith, service and ministry that LGBT persons possess and have been waiting, some for decades, to demonstrate and to share.

Amendment 10-A Allows for Honesty and Integrity

2011-03-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Nathan Sobers

Nathan Sobers is an Elder at Madrona Park Presbyterian Church in the Seattle Presbytery. Amendment 10-A did not pass in the presbytery, but the 103 to 126 vote reflects an 8% improvement over 08-B.

I speak in favor of the amendment.

15 years ago when Madrona Church called me to be an Elder, they weren’t trying to be trailblazers by calling an openly gay man. They weren’t trying to thumb their collective noses at the Presbytery or the denomination. Madrona was simply living out the Gospel, as they understood it then and as they understand it now. Galatians 3:23-28 perfectly describes how the Gospel is lived out in our congregation, particularly verse 28, which reads: “There are neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is an exceptionally powerful passage for a congregation where the majority of members are descended from slaves and one that continues to guide and shape our actions as a part of the body of Christ.

One of the things that I find most appealing about being a Presbyterian is the knowledge that I don’t have to check my intellect at the door. We are not required to think alike nor are we bound by one narrow interpretation of scripture. In fact the Confession of 1967 explicitly reminds us “The Bible is to be interpreted in the light of its witness to God's work of reconciliation in Christ. The Scriptures, given under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are nevertheless the words of men, conditioned by the language, thought forms, and literary fashions of the places and times at which they were written.” We are able to disagree and argue; we are able to hold diametrically opposite views and remain in community with each other. What we can’t do is tell those who don’t agree with us that they don’t belong. In 1 Cor. 12: 21 we read “The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don’t need you!” Verse 27 goes on to say, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

G-6.0106b has forced those of us who are Gay to either deny our God given gifts or to “fly under the radar”, separating us from the body of Christ. Neither of these options allow for honesty or integrity. Both hurt the person and the church.

We your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender brothers and sisters want nothing more then to be able to follow Christ, worship God and serve the Church. 10-A will allow us to do all of these things with integrity and honesty.

Thank you

Amendment 10-A Voting Analysis - February through Mid-March

2011-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Big number

Currently, the overall, denomination-wide voting tally for Amendment 10A stands at 67 in favor, 48 opposed.

Some Other Numbers

Long story short: The February-March voting season has been exciting for supporters of Amendment 10A, with several interesting developments. The numbers speak for themselves: 19 overall victories, 24 presbyteries voting more in favor of equality than they did in 2008, and 4 presbyteries prayerfully shifting from “No” votes in 2008 to “Yes” votes in 2011. At the moment, 10A maintains the lead in the overall vote tally - 67 presbyteries in favor, 48 opposed.

In other words, these are good numbers for those hoping for a more inclusive, more loving PCUSA!

Behind the Scenes/"The Exciting Number"

While 10A is in the lead in terms of support, there are still 58 presbyteries left to vote, many of which chose to overwhelmingly oppose amendments like 10A in previous years. Clearly, there are a lot of calls to make, conversations to have and prayers to offer up before 10A gets the 87 yes votes needed to pass the amendment.

There is, however, a really important number to remember: 12, or the net number of presbyteries who shifted from a “No” vote in 2008 (against 08-B) to a “Yes” vote in 2010/2011 (in favor of 10A).

Why is the number 12 important? Because it is three more than another number 9, or the amount of presbyteries by which 08-B lost in 2008. The final tally in 2008’s denomination-wide vote on 08-B was 78 in favor, 94 opposed, and 1 presbytery not voting. If 9 more presbyteries had voted in favor of amendment 08-B, it would have passed.

But this year - specifically in this past month - we’ve seen a shift. 13 presbyteries have prayerfully searched their own hearts and changed their votes from “No” to “Yes.” One presbytery switched from “Yes” to “No,” creating a net gain of 12 more presbyteries - so far - voting in favor of 10A than did 08-B.

Translation: the numbers are shifting, good things are happening, and we are inching closer and closer to passing Amendment 10A.

These exciting new developments however, do not imply a forgone conclusion. The reality is quite the opposite: many of the votes of this past month have been incredibly close (Mission Presbytery only voted in favor of the amendment by .8%) and some presbyteries are voting less in favor of 10A then they did for 08-B (the presbytery of Eastminster - which voted 60.6% in favor of amendment 08-B - only passed 10A this month by one vote, or 46-45). Clearly, this conversation is far from over.

Yes, the voting tallies are encouraging so far, but there is, again, a lot of work left to do!

Let’s get to it!

* Note 1: This post makes reference to 08-B and 01-A. These were amendments passed by the General Assembly in 2001 and 2008 (but were both voted down when voted on by presbyteries) that were similar to Amendment 10-A in intent. As such, voting records from those years are held up alongside current presbytery votes for comparison.

** Note 2: The Presbyteries of Northern New York, Utica, Cayuga-Syracuse, Long Island, Redwoods, Winnebago, voted in favor of the amendment, but they took unrecorded “raise your hand” or voice votes. As such, they do not have any data other than their final “yes” vote, rendering it impossible to tell whether or not they trended one way or another.

*** Note 3: The Presbyteries of Glacier, San Fernando and Noroeste voted against the amendment by taking unrecorded standing, “raise your hand” or voice votes. As such, they do not have any data other than their final “no” vote, rendering it impossible to tell which direction they trended.

Two Questions for our Church: What are we hoping for and what are we afraid of?

2011-03-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Rev. Debra Avery (left) at 219th GA

Grand Canyon Presbytery 10-A Floor Speech by Rev. Debra Avery, Pastor of Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, Arizona. Grand Canyon Presbytery passed 10-A by 84 to 53.

I speak in favor of the amendment. I don’t have a radical conversion story or an encyclopedic knowledge of scripture and our confessions. What I have is a journey of faith-filled hoping and some obedient steps in the direction I believe God is calling me to go. There are two questions that I believe we need to ask ourselves before we vote: What are we hoping for and what are we afraid of?

1. Some here might be hoping that the church will win the culture wars, either by restoring a culture of orthodoxy or by fostering a culture of openness and inclusion.

I wonder if we might find hope in our confessional tradition that calls us to a culture of reconciliation, forgiveness, and humility as we trust that the Holy Spirit will work in and through the messiness even when we don’t have it all figured out.

2. Some here might be hoping for the return of a biblical worldview. But I worry that it will be a worldview like the one held by some Christians who told me I needed to stay in a broken marriage with an addict because divorce is an abomination; or the one taught by some of my extended family to advise me to give up seminary and my call because women are to remain silent in the congregation.

I wonder if we might consider the biblical truth that says tithe: sell all that you have and give it away and then follow me; or the one that says that the body of Christ must be diverse, for if the whole body is an eye, where would the hearing be?

3. Finally, some of us are afraid: Afraid that a yes vote will cause a complete rupture of the denomination; that it might cause us to be rejected by family members, colleagues, members of our congregation, by God.

I cling every day to sola gratia—trusting in God’s grace alone to know that nothing stands in the way of God’s love. More and more I am afraid that we might be like the rich man who for years told Lazarus “no” only to find that he suffered eternally for refusing to offer a welcome to that man who lay just outside the gate.

Mission Presbytery 10-A Floor Speech by Rev. Kelly Allen

2011-03-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Rev. Kelly Allen

By Rev. Kelly Allen, Pastor of University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX. Mission Presbytery passed 10-A by 201 to 194. They were a transformed Presbytery that tied on 08-B.
I do not believe the Presbyterian Church should ordain anyone who feels called by God. This is not how we do things. Not everyone is suited for ordained ministry, and we should be honest about that. The community must humbly decide that the sense of the Holy Spirit you feel is not a delusion or indigestion, but is the call of God.

I believe our moral standards for ordained people are not where they should be. I am aware of ministers who……..

Plagiarize sermons
Refuse to visit people in hospitals
Mock Scripture
Break confidentiality
Show little respect for members of their own congregations
Leave addictions to substances or pornography unaddressed, or
Engage in sexual misconduct (all things forgiveable of course, but sometimes foreseeable as well)

While keeping our standards high, perhaps it is time to consider that those of integrity, strong gifts for ministry, and a deep love for God, who HAPPEN to organize their family life around the love of two members of the same gender, might be equally considered for positions of ministry as anyone else. 10-A allows for this possibility.

This is not compromising the truth of the Bible. We believe the great truth of scripture still stands even though we now believe marriage should be a choice, not the Biblically expected economic arrangement between male heads of families. We have moved away from the Biblical idea that a nonfertile wife is cause for adding another. And we have resigned ourselves to women being given authority over men, despite Paul’s admonishment to keep us silent. In the 19th century it was argued that our weak morals and tendency toward sexual promiscuity should keep us from such authority.

The people about whom we have been deliberating, debating, theologizing, examining, and voting are the first person I ever buried in my pastoral ministry, my cousins, husband’s uncle, my church administrator, my friends, my daughter’s friend at school, and my closeted colleagues in ministry, lay and ordained, Surely it is possible to consider that scripture guides us to receive the fruit they bear in their lives as worthy of the kingdom of God.

And if we are wrong –at least it can be said that we erred on the side of grace.

Yes on Amendment 10-A

Welcome to MLP's Amendment 10-A Site

New Ordination Guides Available for 10-A

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses

To Evoke the Better Angels of Our Own Nature

NBC LA: Presbyterian Churches Vote to Ordain Gay Ministers

More Light Update, May 2011

Living and Loving Honestly, According to the Way I Was Created

Top 10 News Stories About Amendment 10-A

Amendment 10-A Is Ratified

The Consequences Will Surprise You

My Two Cents on 10-A

Faith & Character: Standards for Ordination

Moderators Letter on Amendment 10-A

An Open Letter to the Presbyterian Church From One of Your Baptized Kids

Living Together in the Church of Jesus Christ

Honoring the Christ-Inspired and Intentional Inclusiveness of Our Polity

Presbyterians Celebrate San Francisco Presbytery Vote in Support of Allowing Gay Clergy

Local Presbyterian Leaders Favor Gay Ordinations

When Exclusions and Fears Disappear, the Fruits of the Spirit are Planted

Knowing LGBT People as Christ Does

What Will Amendment 10-A Mean If Passed?

Amendment 10-A Allows for Honesty and Integrity

Amendment 10-A Voting Analysis - February through Mid-March

Two Questions for our Church: What are we hoping for and what are we afraid of?

Mission Presbytery 10-A Floor Speech by Rev. Kelly Allen