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GA Agrees with Committee: No Women's Study Committee

Melissa Morgan Kelley, June 2009

By a margin of fewer than 20 votes, the PCA’s General Assembly (GA) voted this afternoon against adopting overtures that would form a study committee to examine women’s roles in the denomination. The vote was 427 in favor and 446 opposed.

Earlier in the week, the GA’s Overtures Committee had recommended that the Assembly reject Overtures 5 and 10—which called for a study committee to be formed to craft a pastoral letter to churches on the issue. (Last year, a similar overture was rejected.)

According to Overtures 5 and 10, “the PCA has struggled with the question of how women in the local church are to exercise their God-given gifts within the framework of the Book of Church Order (BCO).” Additionally, “many PCA churches are uncertain about how to use appropriately God’s gifts among the many capable women within the membership of those churches.”

But David Coffin, speaking this afternoon for the Overtures Committee’s report, disagreed. “The study committee won’t accomplish the goal of creating unity,” he said. “I fear guidance [on this issue] could lead to a tyranny of the majority. The lower courts tend to take study committee [findings] as authority—which would mess with our constitutional order and undermine the integrity of the courts.”

The topic inspired spirited debate on the floor of the Assembly.

George Robertson of Savannah River Presbytery spoke from the floor in favor of forming a study committee. “Clearly this is a problem in our church—at least a perceived problem. Writing this pastoral letter would send a message that we affirm and love [women].” He recalled a similar situation previously when the PCA formed a study committee to study race relations.

Speaking on behalf of the minority report, former GA moderator E.J. Nusbaum said, “We don’t have clear direction in our constitution on this issue. A study committee would provide clarity, diffuse controversy, relieve tension, and promote unity in the church.”

A number of prominent PCA leaders had joined the Overture Committee’s (OC) minority report in support of the study committee. In addition to Nusbaum, they included Covenant Theological Seminary president Bryan Chapell; current GA moderator Brad Bradley; Dan Carrell, chairman of the GA’s Committee on Constitutional Business; and Greg Thompson, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va.

Citing the fact that four of the 13 overtures submitted to the OC this year dealt with issues related to the roles of women, the minority report said, “Clear differences exist among us. … A pastoral letter [would] allow us to listen to one another without winners and losers in a legislative or judicial process. Such pastoral care is good for our fidelity to Scripture and to each other.”

But after one hour of debate, the commissioners voted to reject the minority report.

Overtures Committee Says Women’s Roles Have Already Been Studied
On Monday, the Overtures Committee explained its reasoning, saying, “Unlike most issues for which past General Assemblies have erected study committees, the question of the role of women in the Church is not a new or unstudied issue. As such, the proposed study committee is unlikely to break new ground or shed new insights.”

The report went on to say, “Many of the speeches offered before the Overtures Committee in support of Overture 10 argued that there is a need to ‘settle this issue.’ But, by definition, the report of such a committee, whether as a pastoral letter or in some other form, would have no binding Constitutional authority. … The best way to address the concerns of those raising these questions is to allow individuals, sessions, and presbyteries to continue to study and interact on these matters.”

OC study committee opponents were also concerned that its formation would exacerbate differences within the denomination rather than develop unity. “If the committee did come to consensus at a level of specificity, the tendency among some will be to treat those conclusions as binding, at least in some sense,” said the committee report. “That, in turn, would have the effect of elevating any conclusions from the report of the study committee to a level that is de facto on par with the Constitution, but without Constitutional process. This, too, will elevate tensions, rather than bringing about unity.”

Yesterday, Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, and Ligon Duncan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss., conducted a well-attended seminar on women’s roles in the church. Some 600 people overflowed into the 450-seat ballroom, with many sitting on the floor and standing around the walls.

Comments

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First Name:
Scott

Last Name:
Cary, North Carolina

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Comment:

This is the right decision for the peace and purity of the church.

It is right both on form and on substance.

Study committees with pre-arranged divided results by men whose views are already known and publish do not "settle."

In fact, they may harden opinion, may even exaggerate differences.

Trying to amend our constitution, and even the solemn vows taken by officers to uphold them is not appropriate this way.

There are several instances of church process going on to settle the practices that this 'study' was intended to legitimate- things like refusing to ordain deacons.

We must lovingly discipline those who willfully disobey their constitution, not cloud the issue of it.

For those reasons, and many others, this is the right decision.

Soli Deo Gloria

2009-06-18 17:37 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Doug McIntire

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Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Comment:

I must agree with the minority. This paper could provide help to shepherd well. Our church continues in lively but frustrated discussion over real need to lead our sisters, wives, mothers, and daughters.

Coffin’s fear of tyranny of the majority is not persuasive. This is from Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. In the book he said "If anyone asks me what I think the chief cause of the extraordinary prosperity and growing power of this nation, I should answer that it is due to the superiority of the women."

The PCA has some of the godliest women several of which I am blessed to lead. We would nothing but better ourselves if we studied this with the best men available. Possibly the overture could have asked for a pastoral letter about what our denomination should study regarding women’s roles in order to better serve them and enrich the denomination.

2009-06-18 19:23 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Warren

Last Name:
SC

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Comment:

Thankfully, a potentially divisive, and what would have clearly been a non-conclusive, action has been averted. Would that the fathers & brothers in the minority now take their concerns and create their own local studies that, if they believe warrented, would then result in specifics changes of standards that could then be voted on by GA in a clear up and down manner, as guided by Scripture and the Spirit. Vague broad based 'studies' are not the purpose of GA and could well lead to great mischief for many years. PLEASE do not make next year's GA have to deal with vague study issues again - bring specifics that can be addressed clearly and forthrightly by the fathers and brothers at that time, as they compare your SPECIFIC petitions with Scripture. Thanks.

2009-06-18 20:08 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
RE John J Marshall

Last Name:
Savannah River Presbytery

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Comment:

This is a matter for our Courts to decide. Our PCA heritage is "grassroots" or "bottom-up", so to speak. Bring these issues up from Sessions to Presbyteries to GA. Seminars sponsored by GA and wide-open discussions cultivating support for one position or the other seem to violate the principle of BCO 42-4 regarding circularizing the courts. I can't imagine why anyone within the PCA would disdain a "grass-roots" approach.

2009-06-18 22:08 Permalink Reply

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Rev. C. David Trimmier

Last Name:
Augusta, GA

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Comment:

I remember a similar issue that came before the GA a number of years ago. It had to do with PCA members and officers participating in the Lodge or Masonry. A study committee deliberated several years with the end result Churches were encouraged to handle this Pastorally on an individual basis. As far as I know this is a moot point today.
Some of us old-timers remember the furor with which we dealt in the PCUSA with regard to Womens Ordination. I am not convinced this is the same.
Cordially in Christ,
C. David Trimmier

2009-06-19 12:28 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Dr. Christopher Faria

Last Name:
Rocky Mountain Presbytery

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Comment:

First of all, I agree totally that a "study" and subsequent pastoral letter has the force of policy. It bothers me that so many Elders are willing to shuffle this off to the national body instead of exercising their own responsibilities. Secondly, if one reads the overtures and cases named by the minority report, much of the material as "evidence" of confusion is in reality assertions and anecdotal. They assert "there is much confusion, etc." But no facts quoted; i.e., 57 TE's asking for info (as an example). Some asked for venues to discuss this- at GA Duncan and Keller did...for our benefit. And there is always the internet- if one is confused, then take responsibility and study.

2009-06-19 13:23 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
John Lofton, Recovering Republican

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Completely In Touch With Reality, GOD's. The Only Reality There Is

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And, please, to summarize what Keller and Duncan said, they said --- what? Thanks.

2009-06-19 15:02 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Ivan Lambert

Last Name:
Witner Haven FL

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Comment:

The PCA recorded the Duncan / Keller dialog, so keep watching and it will probably be available in coming weeks in a mp3 format, and if not, I'm certain you will be able to purchase a CD. Those were already be purchased at the GA.

2009-06-19 21:35 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Stan Overton

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The future of the PCA is at stake

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Comment:

Visiting Duncan's and Keller's churches was like visiting two different countries that love God and His word. The Jackson area PCA churches tend to herd women leaders towards WIC, which often focuses on social and service events as well as bible studies. Keller, on the other hand, empowers women to help with immediate congregational needs. Pastors in the South have agreed with me that it can be awkward (and sometimes dangerous) for men to minister closely to a woman in need, and that they would benefit from having female helpers. Don't we all agree that women were made to be helpers but that they don't have authority over men in the church or the home? Young people are leaving the PCA because they see women being shuffled off to the sewing circle instead of being asked to help with real needs.

2009-06-19 23:27 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Liz

Last Name:
Jackson, MS

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Comment:

I too have seen young women shying away from the PCA in my area because they feel their opinions are not as valued as those of the men. While I do realize that ministries to children and other women are valuable, some of us would like to feel free to speak up and discuss issues as men's equals, something the PCA does not always encourage (just look at who is posting the comments on these articles). I want to be respected for my intellect and spiritual insight, not just my babysitting and cooking abilities. I don't know that anyone in particular is at fault for this attitude; rather, it is a result of the general culture of the denomination, at least in the Jackson area.

2009-06-25 00:14 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Rick Tyson

Last Name:
Willow Grove, PA

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Comment:

I voted for a study committee. We must remember this overture was not asking for Women Deacons. it was asking to study what roles are open to women, and what practices are being developed to employ the gifts of women. This hardly sounds like a threat to the denomination.

2009-06-21 09:19 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Bobbi

Last Name:
Florida

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Comment:

Other than Pastor/Elder/Deacon there are many areas women can serve.

Our church has a Stephens Ministry, that is open to women to train and minister to other women.

Our church has a Mercy Ministry, that women are encouraged to volunteer.

We have a Children's Ministry where women are encouraged to volunteer.

We have woman's bible studies, that women teach.

As a woman in the PCA, I personally see many opportunities for ME to serve God, without needing a title, or without needing to be ordained to do so.

And to my knowledge our church does not have a sewing circle, but if they did, it would be a blessing to many of the young ladies who would love to learn to sew.

Something I want to do is get with some of the ladies who can food, and have them teach me that, so I can use that to help save my family money.

2009-06-21 16:51 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Don Bakke

Last Name:
South Coast Presbytery

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Comment:

I sense a false tension with this issue. Just because some claim to be confused about how to Biblically empower highly gifted women to serve doesn't mean a study should be conducted, much less capitulate to the notion of ordaining women lest they (or "young people") leave the church. If churches need wisdom on this then why can't they consult with other PCA churches who report that their non-ordained women are serving and fully exercising their gifts?

I would also caution against unjustly raising the profile on this matter. People debate over Issues regularly and some of these cause controversy but that doesn’t mean we have to label them as “debatable” or “controversial”. This can give some a feeling of entitlement to side-step established teaching and rules.

2009-06-21 21:15 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Phillip

Last Name:
Gulfport, MS

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Comment:

Stan Overton commented, ...." Keller, on the other hand, empowers women to help with immediate congregational needs."
Stan. perhaps a litttle clarification here?
Thanks.

2009-06-22 07:40 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Bob Mattes

Last Name:
Arlington, VA

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Comment:

I spoke against the minority report and the study committee on the floor of GA. Of all the study committees completed in the PCA, only a few could be cited as useful by proponents of this one. I believe that TE Coffin presented the overall context very well.

Statements like "The future of the PCA is at stake" seem unnecessarily inflamatory. As both TEs Duncan and Keller stated, this is a discussion within the context of strong complementarianism. The sky is not falling.

The women in TE Duncan's congregation, like most in the PCA, are highly valued and heavily engaged in effective mercy ministries, plus teaching women's Bible studies in the community. Assertions about "sewing circles" are not helpful.

Less inflamatory rhetoric and more open conversations will do more to knit the PCA than a host of study committees. If change is desired, be up front and propose a BCO change for discussion.

2009-06-22 16:17 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Steven Ottolini,PhD

Last Name:
TE, Mo. Pres., out of bounds

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Comment:

I was received into the PCA, November, 2007. 2009 was my first GA. I desired at the age of 54 after 29 years of ministry to be with brethren for the remainder of my days who stand for Sola Scriptura. With all due respect, I was dismayed to hear so many arguments on this issue based on fear of people leaving, perceptions of some believing the PCA hates women, traditions from the early Middle Ages, testimonies of "how we do it", warnings against cutting across culture and how we would be viewed,arguments based on utility,etc. If I desired to settle issues based on anything but Sola Scriptura, I would have stayed with the Charismatics.

2009-06-25 14:19 Permalink Reply