A PASTORAL RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT 10-A
WHAT is Amendment 10A, which concerns ordination standards?
Amendment 10-A on Gifts and Requirements amends the current Book of Order (G-6.0106b) to strike the current wording and insert the following:
Current wording: “b. 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.
New wording: “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.”
WHO initiated this change? As with any amendment for the Book of Order, it began as an overture from a local church session. It was approved by the presbytery of that church and moved on to the General Assembly, which met in Minneapolis in 2010. The assembly passed the overture and submitted it to the presbyteries for approval. This conversation about ordination standards has been before the church since 1978.
HOW does it affect our Presbytery of North Central Iowa?
This mandate to center ordinations standards on the Lordship of Jesus Christ means that ordination is to be taken very seriously. There is nothing in this language that requires a church or presbytery to ordain or receive by transfer a person the presbytery believes does not meet its standards of faithfulness. While some may ordain people they have not ordained in the past, we anticipate that most congregations and presbyteries will see no change in the standards which have guided decision of ordination since 1758, when the right of the presbytery to examine candidates for ordination was officially affirmed.
HOW does it affect MY church?
The change gives greater freedom to presbyteries and churches in their ordination of elders, deacons and ministers of Word and Sacrament. But it also places greater responsibility on each body to hear the Holy Spirit’s call on a person’s life, and for that person to joyfully submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Without a doubt, ministers and churches, open to the Spirit, can go on teaching and preaching what they have always preached, and congregations will still call the minister that the Spirit leads them to call to their particular church.
HOW does it affect ME?
It may not affect you very much at all, as your church will likely keep functioning as it has in the past. It may fit well with your interpretation of certain scriptures, or it may seem to go against your interpretation of some scriptures. This may prompt you to deeper study to see where other members may be coming from in their position on certain issues in the church.
WHAT do I do if I agree with it?
Work to help others understand why you support it and why you feel it is good for the church, and help those who see things differently know that you appreciate them and love them in Christ, and that you wish to work together as we go forward in Christ’s mission.
WHAT do I do if I disagree with it?
Give prayerful thought to it, discuss with my minister and church leaders, and seek to find ways that we can go forward in Christ’s mission together despite our disagreements. Help those who see things differently know that you appreciate them and love them in Christ, and that you wish to work together as we go forward in Christ’s mission.
WHEN does it go into effect?
If it is approved by at least 87 out of 173 presbyteries, it goes into effect after all presbyteries have voted and the votes have been tallied by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, The results will be announced in June. Check out more information at the national PCUSA web site, pcusa.org and the amendment web location, which has rationales, at http://oga.pcusa.org/pdf/proposed_amendments3.pdf
If it is approved by at least 87 out of 173 presbyteries, it goes into effect after all presbyteries have voted and the votes have been tallied by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
In coming months, let us nurture our warm relationships in our presbytery, attend meetings and education sessions, and talk with your presbytery commissioners and session members about issues that you see vital to the church. It is possible that in a few weeks you may see some sensational PCUSA media headlines and stories with only part of the facts. But the truth is that the presbyteries - if this amendment does indeed pass - will have voted to hold EVERY candidate to a very high standard: joyfully submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We cannot change the votes of other presbyteries as they discern God’s will, but we believe that every crisis holds within it seeds of new faithfulness. Please urge your congregation to be gracious toward those with whom they disagree, to be patient as we see how the new provisions are implemented, and to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
For the Committee on Ministry, IN CHRIST, Rev. Dr. Glenn Wilson, Moderator
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