The Book
of Order
was amended as the result of an overture in 1997 to place the following
wording in the Preface:
In
this Book of Order
(1) “Shall”
and “is to be/are to be” signify practice that is mandated,
(2) “Should” signifies practice that is strongly recommended,
(3) “Is appropriate” signifies practice that is commended
as suitable,
(4) “May” signifies practice that is permissible but
not required.
G-6.0106b
reads as follows:
“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.”
(emphasis
added)
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