Read the 2011 Year-End Goal Report
Read the ministry teams' year-end reports of 2011 goals.
News from the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
Recent changes have occurred within Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), the denomination of which North Avenue Presbyterian Church is a member congregation. This web page has been added to provide updates to the congregation regarding these changes and to inform church members of any actions taken by the Session (church elders) in response.
What has changed in our denomination?
Over the past number of years, the PCUSA and other mainline protestant denominations have struggled with the question of standards for ordination to the offices of the church (elder, deacon, pastor), with regard to sexual ethics.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church, the accepted teachings of Scripture with regard to sexual ethics have pointed to an understanding that God's design for human beings in the area of sexual intimacy has been within the context of "fidelity in marriage between a man and woman" and "chastity in singleness." Until the past 40 years or so, that teaching has undergirded the Presbyterian Church's understanding of sexual ethics for any candidate for office within the church. However, for nearly 40 years, challenges to those standards have come from those who believe that it is appropriate to ordain candidates who are actively engaged in a homosexual relationship, as long as those candidates satisfy all other qualifications for ordination.
Each time a challenge to the "fidelity and chastity" standard has been brought before the broader church, it has been defeated, until this year. Recently, the required 2/3 majority of 173 presbyteries across the General Assembly passed an amendment to the PCUSA Constitution (Book of Order) that opens the door to the ordination of openly gay and lesbian candidates.
The new amendment (Amendment 10-A) replaces a former amendment (Section G-6.0106b) as follows:
The former language concerning ordination in the Book of Order:
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.
The new language of 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.
What is the significance of this change?
Although the new language does not specifically affirm the ordination of actively gay and lesbian persons or of anyone engaged in a sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman, it opens the door to such ordination, pending the affirmation of "the governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation" (Amendment 10-A).
For many Presbyterians, including leadership of NAPC, any departure away from standards for ordination from "fidelity and chastity" is a departure from the clear teaching of Scripture regarding sexual ethics. Such a departure reflects a deep disagreement within the church over issues such as the authority of Scripture, the interpretation of Scripture, and the church's historic understanding of sexual ethics, especially as applied to officers of the church.
What action has the NAPC Session taken?
- The NAPC Session (church elders, elected by the congregation and moderated by the Senior Pastor) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to abide by the historic standards of the church for ordination to the offices of elder, deacon, and pastor, i.e., in addition to meeting all other standards for ordination as set forth in Scripture and the Book of Order, all officers will abide by the standard of "fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman" and "chastity in singleness."
- The NAPC Session acknowledges that issues of human sexuality, both heterosexual and homosexual, are at the forefront of our culture. The church needs to teach Christians what the Bible has to say about these issues and provide guidance and help to those who seek to follow Christ. The NAPC Session has committed to the following actions:
- With God's help, create a safe environment within our congregation for people to seek guidance in all areas of sexuality;
- With God's help, shepherd our church family more intentionally in discussing the challenges of living lives of "fidelity and chastity" in our society and in pursuing that vision together.
- The NAPC Session has agreed to send a delegation appointed by the senior pastor to attend the Ideas and Conversation conference of Fellowship PC (USA), August 25-26, 2011 in Minneapolis. At this conference, pastors, elders and lay people from churches all over the country will gather to discuss the future of our relationships with the PC(USA). The Presbyterian Opportunities Ministry Team will report online what happens at the conference and within the Session as to how North Avenue needs to react. More information about the Fellowship PC(USA) is available at http://www.fellowship-pcusa.org/.
We realize that a number of NAPC members may find this subject particularly sensitive, and we will make every effort to be gracious and thoughtful, even while upholding the church’s position on ordination standards. While not everyone may agree with the NAPC Session’s position, it is our hope and prayer that we will maintain a spirit of unity in the bonds of love that bind us together in Jesus Christ. We firmly believe that God will provide a way forward for us, as we trust in Christ, who alone is Head of the Church.
More information and resources will be forthcoming in the next few months. Please check back at this website for updated information. If you have questions, please feel free to contact any of the North Avenue pastoral staff or Tom Kelly, Clerk of Session.
In the ongoing discussions about human sexuality and ordination, the Presbyterian Issues and Opportunities Ministry Team invites your attention to this link to two articles that frame the issues in the context of the historic understanding of Biblical sexuality. We further invite you to email the team at boydlyons@mindspring.com with your comments and feedback on these articles.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Elder Boyd Lyons, on behalf of the NAPC Presbyterian Issues and Opportunities Ministry Team.
Please check back again as more resources are forthcoming.
