The public news media is reporting news of a change in the PCUSA constitution in our Book of Order. Here is a published word from the Stated Clerk of our denomination, Gradye Parsons:
It appears from unofficial voting tallies that amendment
14-F of the Directory for Worship in the Book of Order has been approved by a
majority of the presbyteries. The approval allows Teaching Elders (pastors)
wider discretion in whose weddings they may conduct and Sessions wider
discretion in whose weddings it may host. That discretion could include same
gender marriages in states where that is permitted.
It is important to note that the determination of what
couple a Teaching Elder will marry has and will continue to be with that
Teaching Elder. Likewise, the determination by a Session as to whose weddings a
congregation will host remains solely with the Session. There is nothing in the
amendment to compel any Teaching Elder to conduct a wedding against his or her
judgment, nor a Session to host one against its judgment. (For more by Rev. Parsons, click here.)
This latest action will
create no practical change in the current ministry of our congregation. In the
October 2014 meeting of our Session, decisions were made that allowed for the
possibility of these constitutional changes. The paragraphs below are taken
from the Session's explanation of its former decisions and are instructive for
us all at this time:
After an
extended period of prayer and discernment shared with the congregation, the
Session of our congregation voted to permit same sex weddings in our church
facilities. The intent of the vote is to offer the support of our faith
community to members and their families when they seek to live a joyfully
ordered life of Christian witness and faithfulness within the covenant of
marriage - regardless of the sexual orientation of the two persons who seek to
live such covenanted lives. Those who wish to be married in our church
will continue to be required to undergo a structured process of pre-marital
counseling with the officiating pastor. As always, the officiating pastor
will have leeway of pastoral discretion with each couple in choosing to proceed
with the wedding or in declining to officiate.
In
addition to the dynamics named above, the Session also views a wedding is an
act of personal pastoral care for individual Christians within the Body of
Christ. As an act of personal pastoral care, the performing of same sex
weddings is not meant to bind the conscience of all believers in our
congregation on the question of same sex relationships.
The
decision was made after careful consideration of Biblical passages and themes
utilizing the "Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture"
and its principles for interpretation: Centrality of Christ; Plain Sense of the
Text; Scripture interpreting Scripture; Rule of Faith; and Rule of Love.
In addition, the decision was framed by: guidance of the Confessions;
understanding of Christian marriage; the Reformed understanding of being a
Covenant Community; assessment of the spiritual state of our congregation; and
by personal experience.
Finally, I prayerfully remind you of a word the Session commended to the congregation in October:
As the
congregation moves forward from this decision, we are encouraged to bear with
each other and support each other in love and mutual affection. Continue
to pray and study scripture in spiritual discernment and bear in mind a useful
verse from Romans 12:10: Love each other like the members of your family.
Be the best at showing honor to each other. (CEB)
Faithfully,
Brian R. Paulson
Pastor
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