An Open
Letter to the Presbyterian Church (USA)
July 6, 2006
Dear
sisters and brothers in Christ:
The
217th General Assembly, just concluded, approved the new Authoritative Interpretation
(AI) suggested by the Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity in a very divided
vote. Confusion has followed about what the AI means and what changes, if
any, will result. Sadly, the AI has not achieved the “visible oneness”
desired by both the Task Force and the General Assembly and envisioned by
our Lord in John 17.
Under
the new AI, uniform standards can continue to govern in the whole church and
function as effective boundaries on ordination. Each session and each presbytery
needs to act now.
The
standards for ordination have not changed. Everyone agrees on that.
Therefore, Presbyteries and Sessions still have the authority to use those
standards as requirements that preclude the ordination of those not
in compliance with the express standards of the Book of Order and the Book
of Confessions. To ensure that these standards continue to be effective boundaries,
we prayerfully ask that every governing body consider adopting this resolution:
In
its discernment of the essentials of Reformed polity and for the sake of the
peace, unity, and purity of the church, this governing body adopts the principle
that compliance with the standards for ordination adopted by the whole church
in the Book of Order is an essential of Reformed polity. Therefore, any departure
from the standards for ordination expressed in the Book of Order will bar
a candidate from ordination and/or installation by this governing body. Provisions
of the Book of Order are signified as being standards by use of the term "shall,"
"is/are to be," “requirement,” or equivalent expression.
We
note that this year the General Assembly by an 81 percent vote retained all
of the previous Authoritative Interpretations/Definitive Guidance statements
and again turned back attempts to delete G-6.0106b from the Constitution.
Further
we urge each governing body to examine candidates consistently, thoroughly,
and publicly. In addition, should any governing body determine that departure
from the standards of the PC (USA) may be allowed, any such individual departure
must be specific and recorded. Any attempt on the part of governing bodies
to truncate or ignore this requirement ought to be challenged, in church courts
if necessary, so that the process might be made clear and uniform in the whole
church. A cooperative team, including former members of the GA PJC, from the
renewal groups in our church stands ready to enable sessions and presbyters
to respond promptly and effectively to governing bodies in which standards
are contravened and the process of the examination is defective. The team
can help PJC cases and stays of execution to be filed in timely fashion.
Finally,
we encourage you not to be distracted from being the church. Are we in troubled
times? Absolutely! When has the Church not been? You are not alone. Let’s
be the church together. The Triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--has
freed us to be faithful. The recently adopted AI does not remove our opportunities.
But today is the time for action. Questions and resources can be addressed
to the renewal leaders who are listed below as those who have sent this letter.
Also, look for more resources in the days to come.
May
God be with you and with the PC(USA)! Amen.
The Rev. Michael Bush
Constitutional Presbyterians
The
Rev. Paul Gaug
Evangelical Pastors Fellowship
The
Rev. Sid Rice, executive director
Literacy & Evangelism International
The
Rev. James D. Berkley, director
Presbyterian Action for Faith and Freedom
Elder
Terry Schlossberg, executive director
Presbyterian Coalition
The
Rev. Katie Brandt, executive director
The Presbyterian Forum
The
Rev. Sue Cyre, executive director
Presbyterians for Faith, Family, & Ministry
Elder
Marie Bowen, executive director
Presbyterians Pro-Life
The
Rev. Michael Walker, executive director
Presbyterians for Renewal
Elder
Sylvia Dooling
Voices of Orthodox Women