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Health & Fitness

Homosexual Ordination in the Presbyterian Church

Discussion of recent controversy

Good Morning to all of my Patch friends.

The news recently is focusing on the passage of an amendment to the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which allows the ordination of homosexuals.  In this post, I would like to lay out for you the background of the amendment and what it says.   

The discussion/debate over homosexual ordination has been going on in the church for about 30 years.  While I have watched the debate as a Presbyterian, it also affected me personally.  In the church where I grew up, we had a youth minister who grew the program from 30 youth to about 300 in 3 years.  I was an adviser, and I remember when she told us that she was gay and she could no longer serve the church because it did not allow gays to be ministers.  I especially remember sitting on a lawn near a  basketball court talking with 6 weeping young men who I played basketball with who wanted to know why she could no longer be a pastor.  I also recall the arguments long into the evening at Princeton Seminary where those who were in favor of ordination and those against it would talk, sometimes shout, and sometimes say some really nasty things as they wrestled with the debate.  In some cases I thought they were going to wrestle with each other.  These same debates have occurred in the churches I have served.     

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Anyway, here is what the new amendment says: Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life . The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation 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. Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

Notice my friends that it does not say that someone who is homosexual must be ordained. 

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Instead, it says that the governing body needs to look at many factors in determining whether someone should be ordained including whether they are called, whether the person is able and committed, and whether they are suited for the task.    

 My friends, the debate continues (as seen by my inbox where I get an e-mail about this issue daily).  I ask that you pray for the church (FYI, other denominations are wrestling with this issue as well).  Also, when you read something about the debate take some time to determine whether it is accurate. 

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