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24-C will require 84 “yes” votes to amend G-2.0104b.
“People of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations have faced a long and difficult journey to be seen and respected in the PC(USA), and we’re still a long way from equity in many areas of church life,” said the Rev. Brian Ellison, executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
[10]
1983June The UPCUSA and the PCUS merge to produce the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), thus healing the major schism in the denomination that had occurred during the Civil War over slavery.
Quote
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
Author
Micah 6:8 (NRSVue)
Presbyterians belong to widening circles of theological identity and relationship: Reformed, Protestant, and Christian.
Consequences of approving the study committee “will include and must include, out of a false sense of fairness and charity, an active and positive consideration to support the possibility of the socially influenced, theologically erroneous position commonly called Side B Christianity, as promoted by the Revoice conference.”
An open letter written by Fortson and two EPC elders, Nate Atwood and Rufus Burton, takes a similar line.
It is a beautiful example of the Spirit preparing a way for us to witness to the image of God in people of all genders and sexualities.”
“The final approval of Amendment 24-A is a prophetic and necessary step toward ensuring that LGBTQIA+ people are fully seen, valued and included in the life of our denomination,” Remaley said.
The Outlook has a paywall to help fund our independent journalism. By 2008, the EPC had grown to 77,794 members. Five years later, it jumped to 134,833. That was a little bit scary.”
David Roach is a freelance reporter for CT and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama.
This article has been updated to correct the location of the New River Presbytery and clarify the PCA vote.
1906-1907 1906-1907: Carl Schlegel’s Proselytizing Makes Him the Earliest U.S.
Gay Activist
1968November A Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian church holds a “two-hour worship service and symposium on the subject of homosexuality,” which includes a performance of part of the gay themed off-Broadway play “The Boys in the Band.” The pastor of the church, Rev. William Glenesk, claims that the sermon is necessary because “we must look at one another with love and compassion….variations of sex are not sin.” [1]
1970 Undated The General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church releases a statement entitled “Sexuality and the Human Community” which contains a brief section on homosexuality.
If 24-A is a statement of what we believe to be true about who we are called to be as the body of Christ, then 24-C is a statement of our intention as to how we will live out those beliefs in our shared life together.”
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians has a “Frequently Asked Questions” document on Amendments 24-A and 24-C here.
By Mike Ferguson, Presbyterian News Service
While the status of homosexuality as a “sin” is maintained, the Assembly also approves a recommendation that calls for the “elimination of laws governing the private sexual behavior of consenting adults.” [2]
1974 Undated Rev. David Bailey Sindt begins the Presbyterian Gay Caucus, which later becomes Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC), by holding a sign at the General Assembly that asks “Is anyone else out there gay?” [3]
1975May The Presbyterian Gay Caucus is denied “unofficial organization” status by the General Assembly who “appreciates the representatives as Christian persons,” but “does not condone their sexual orientation and life-style.” [4]
1976 Undated Bill Silver become the first openly gay candidate for ministry in the Presbyterian Church, which opens a lengthy debate within the church over the ordination of homosexuals.
see www.mlp.org/resources/history.html
11. [5]
1977May The results of a questionnaire sent by the 1976 task force to UPCUSA members and pastors indicates that the overwhelming majority would not accept a homosexual pastor and believe that “homosexual activities are not ‘normal and consistent with God’s order.’” [6]
June The UPCUSA General Assembly rejects a proposals to prevent the future ordination of gay ministers, to end the task force established to study homosexuality, and to refer to homosexuality as a “not ‘condoned as a life-style,’” and also states “the need of the Church to stand for the just treatment of homosexual persons…in regard to their civil liberties, equal rights, and protection under the law from social and economic discrimination.” [7]
1978January The UPCUSA task force studying homosexuality releases a report in which the majority of the group recommends that open homosexuals should not be prevented from ordination or other leadership roles in the church.
“Still, this vote marks a significant milestone aligning our governing documents with our stated values, and demanding that all who would serve as leaders in our midst take seriously their responsibility to avoid discrimination and honor all people.”
The co-moderators of the CNP board of directors, Slats Toole and the Rev. TJ Remaley, also had words of praise for the work done by presbyteries to date.
“In a time when trans and nonbinary people are often seen as political issues instead of actual humans, it is powerful to see Presbyterians from all over the country say, ‘We believe that LGTBQIA+ folks are beloved children of God,’” Toole said.
New York Times 05/10/2011 pA14, A18
This article appears on Presbyterian Outlook with the permission of the Presbyterian News Service. [15]
2011May 10: After 33 years of debate, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with about two million members, voted to change its constitution and approve the ordination of openly gay men and lesbians in same-sex relationships as ministers, elders, and deacons.
Pastor Joe Haack says his congregation can thrive in a denomination with the EPC’s vision.
“We want the essentials. He worries that permitting people who identify as homosexual to be ordained may unintentionally deny the Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura, replacing the Bible’s call to repent of sinful desires with cultural accommodation.
“I agree with the critique of the conservative church that we have exhibited a kind of hostility to the LGBTQ community that has really hampered our witness,” said Atwood, pastor of St.
Giles Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Washington Post 05/06/1977 pD20
7. The leveling off was due in part, Weaver said, to “unhealthy” congregations that transferred in from the PCUSA between 2008 and 2018 and subsequently closed.
“And I think there is some repenting to do with regard to our temperament and our attitude.” But “will we compromise the gospel,” which calls for repentance from sinful actions and “desires of the heart”?
Others say the EPC sexuality study is in keeping with the denomination’s vision.