Presbyterians make a stand in favor of ordaining gay and lesbian ministers
The Presbyterian Church has made a bold inclusive statement for LGBT clergy.
If you are new to the debate and denominational breakdown, there are only some denominations that will ordain and recognize clergy who identify as gay or lesbian. They include Congregational, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Lutheran (ELCA only) and, most recently, Presbyterian.
(Note: The aforementioned list is not exhaustive; sadly, the landscape for figuring out which denominations are LGBT friendly is too confusing to spell out in one article, but check out the wiki-link for a brief review.)
On May 10, 2011, the Presbyterian Church USA ratified a proposal that had been in process of being approved since July of 2010. The proposal amended the constitution of Presbyterian laws of ordained ministry to include the rite of ordination to homosexual ministers who are in covenanted relationships.
Previously, homosexual ministers were not specifically excluded, but the laws required unmarried ministers to live in “chasted singleness.” Covenanted relationships are here understood as someone who is already partnered or married to their same-sex spouse.
The denomination also allows a clause in this proposal. It invites the local associations of Presbyterian churches to make a decision of whether or not it would be a good fit for that congregation to call an LGBT pastor.
Many see this as a “cop-out” for not being fully inclusive. As a Congregationalist, however, I see the autonomy of local congregations to call pastors they believe will best fit their membership needs as a benefit, not a disadvantage.
The Presbyterian Church (USA), as one of the largest mainstream denominations, has made a very positive step forward for not only LGBT persons, but for their members as well. They will now invite the best possible candidates, regardless of orientation, into leadership positions in the church, and they have made the decision without splintering their denomination (a feat not to be celebrated lightly!).
With Lutherans, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and Episcopalians all on board, the pressure is certainly on the Methodist church, one of the few remaining mainstream denominations that has yet to invite LGBT clergy into ordained positions.
Darcy A. Crain-Polly is the associate minister at the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor. She can be reached directly by email here.
Comments
Will V.L. Shurtliff
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
Perspective is interesting. I am a Presbyterian (PCA) and find this to be the sad end to a denomination that long ago stopped being relevant. The PC(USA) has been in decline for three decades. The average age continues to rise and there is going to be an even more dramatic drop in the next 30 years as the elderly members pass. Christians want their pastors and denominations to actually believe and teach Christian doctrines and ethics; when church leadership fails to do this, people leave. Seems simple but somehow it is lost on many. The failure of the "mainline" denominations to recognize this is killing them.
W. Vida
Mon, Jun 6, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
Jeff, Not to press the point but that does not answer the question. How do you determine what is ethical with regards to sex? Is everything ethical? If so, how did you come to that conclusion? Is monogamy virtuous? If so, why do you say so? My question is about the source of sexual ethics. What is your source of sexual ethics?
Jeff Renner
Sun, Jun 5, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
For W. Vida - You wrote, "I noticed you didn't answer the question: how do you determine what is ethical from a sexual behavior standpoint?" Actually, I did answer in the first line of my comment above, but it was so brief and simple that you must have missed it. Here it is again: "The same as has been done in the past regarding straight folks."
W. Vida
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
Hi Jeff, //One tenet of reformed belief (which includes Presbyterian) as I understand it is, "Reformed, always reforming."// And by Reforming, we mean drawing people back to God and his Word. //The Presbyterian church in the US split in the 19th century over the issue of slavery, which was felt to be clearly part of God's order as evidenced by the many times in the New Testament when servants were told to obey their masters in all things, even when they were beaten unjustly (2Peter), which further implies that beating servants for just cause was condoned.// Peter's statement is about the Christian ideal that it is better to be abused than to be the abuser. That verse cannot be taken as approval of beating because Peter calls it "unjust". //Slavery has been entirely rendered a non-issue, I hope, but serves as a model for how people of faith can differ, even when one side is, in retrospect, simply wrong.// No. Slavery is an example of how Christian reflection and wresting with biblical texts led people to do the right thing. There is a reason that the Evangelicals (like WIlliam WIlberforce and John Wesley) were the ones leading the way on ending slavery. //Ordination of women was a cause of great contention, again based on scripture, before the main branch of the denomination decided some 60 years ago to do so. (Some congregations were permitted to leave after this.) In this, the PC again lagged behind other denominations, most notably Methodists.// "lagged behind"? What standard are you using to determine which way is forward? //I think that the current decision is one more example of discernment of God's plan for all of us. Often, these things take time, thought and prayer by people of good will.// I noticed you didn't answer the question: how do you determine what is ethical from a sexual behavior standpoint?
Jeff Renner
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.
The same as has been done in the past regarding straight folks. One tenet of reformed belief (which includes Presbyterian) as I understand it is, "Reformed, always reforming." The Presbyterian church in the US split in the 19th century over the issue of slavery, which was felt to be clearly part of God's order as evidenced by the many times in the New Testament when servants were told to obey their masters in all things, even when they were beaten unjustly (2Peter), which further implies that beating servants for just cause was condoned. Slavery has been entirely rendered a non-issue, I hope, but serves as a model for how people of faith can differ, even when one side is, in retrospect, simply wrong. Ordination of women was a cause of great contention, again based on scripture, before the main branch of the denomination decided some 60 years ago to do so. (Some congregations were permitted to leave after this.) In this, the PC again lagged behind other denominations, most notably Methodists. I think that the current decision is one more example of discernment of God's plan for all of us. Often, these things take time, thought and prayer by people of good will.
W. Vida
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
Hi Jeff, Yes you are correct. The PCA believes that scripture prohibits women from being ordained (based in part on 1 Tim 2:12 and other verses). This does not mean that men and women are not equal before God but simply that different people are assigned different roles in life by the One who gives life. Our of curiosity, because you believe that the PCUSA made a good choice, how do you determine what is ethical from a sexual behavior standpoint?
Jeff Renner
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 11:51 a.m.
I note that the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) does not allow the ordination of women as ministers, elders or deacons. I am happy that the PC(USA) has taken one more step to full inclusion of all. I don't think it's the end, sad or otherwise, but rather a welcome back to the church for so many who have felt rejected.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
It does represent progress, though. Has to be better than the Catholics' "don't ask, don't tell the police" policy.
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
Good thing! Maybe this will save me from 7734.