PCUSA Eliminates Restrictions on Homosexuality
The 218th Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly met in San Jose, Calif., June 21-28, and made sweeping changes eliminating prohibitions to homosexual behavior.
The commissioners deleted the requirement that church officers and ministry candidates adhere to "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness" and struck a phrase condemning “homosexual perversion” from the Heidelberg catechism.
Additionally, an overture redefining marriage from “a man and a woman” to “two people” was defeated by a margin of 4-to-1, but a comment was added, saying that "the PCUSA will continue to seek ways and means to see God's blessing on alternative forms of covenant between two people."
The commissioners deleted the requirement that church officers and ministry candidates adhere to "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness" and struck a phrase condemning “homosexual perversion” from the Heidelberg catechism.
Additionally, an overture redefining marriage from “a man and a woman” to “two people” was defeated by a margin of 4-to-1, but a comment was added, saying that "the PCUSA will continue to seek ways and means to see God's blessing on alternative forms of covenant between two people."
Renewal groups across the board swiftly denounced the changes. Presbyterians for Renewal said the actions have “made it clear that the PCUSA's compromise of the gospel of Jesus Christ has reached an unprecedented level.” The Presbyterian Renewal Network said the denomination “lies gravely wounded” and that the “decisions place the PCUSA in spiritual jeopardy.”
Figures were recently released showing that the PCUSA lost 57,572 members in 2007, leaving the denomination with 2.2 million members—nearly half the number of Presbyterians who were members of the predecessor denominations in 1965 that merged in 1983 to form the PCUSA.
Stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick called the decline "a disappointment” but said “a number of people thought the figures would be higher in 2007, with some even predicting a split down the middle, given the challenging issues with which we are grappling.”
For more on this, and other actions of the PCUSA’s General Assembly, visit www.layman.org.
Charles Burge is executive editor of The Presbyterian Lay Committee (www.layman.org) and has served as a ruling elder for Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla
Figures were recently released showing that the PCUSA lost 57,572 members in 2007, leaving the denomination with 2.2 million members—nearly half the number of Presbyterians who were members of the predecessor denominations in 1965 that merged in 1983 to form the PCUSA.
Stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick called the decline "a disappointment” but said “a number of people thought the figures would be higher in 2007, with some even predicting a split down the middle, given the challenging issues with which we are grappling.”
For more on this, and other actions of the PCUSA’s General Assembly, visit www.layman.org.
Charles Burge is executive editor of The Presbyterian Lay Committee (www.layman.org) and has served as a ruling elder for Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla
Comments
Dr. Christopher Faria
Colorado Springs
It saddens me to see this. 57.5 k have left. A quick check reveals that since 2006 most have gone into the EPC.
Harvey
Memphis, TN
I went to www.pcusa.org and read about the motions. To my understanding, these changes have not been voted on yet by the presbyteries in the PCUSA, which means that the changes have not been completed. For example, the change to the Heidleberg Catechism won't be fully adopted until the 220th General Assembly of the PCUSA assuming it passes the votes of the Presbyteries. Can someone tell me if I am wrong or misreading the situation?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Charles Meador
Overland Park, KS
Just one more reason I so happy to be in the PCA!
Charles Meador
Elder Emeritus
New Hope PCA Olathe KS
Charles Meador
Elder Emeritus
New Hope PCA Olathe KS
TE Stephen Welch
Nov Scotia
Harvey, the report that was issued by the Presbyterian Lay Committee is accurate. The changes were voted on and passed by the entire assembly about 400 and some (I cannot recall the actual figure),so it was approved by the GA. The issue does have to be voted on by every presbytery, but I am afraid most presbyteries will approve the measures. This is a deplorable action by the assembly and I hope more in the PCUSA stand against the actions of the GA. There were over 400 delegates who voted against these changes, so I hope it creates a real firestorm. I wish those who profess their allegiance to Christ would come out of the PCUSA and that the denomination would fall into utter ruin. That will be my prayer. May the Lord have mercy on the PCUSA.
Jonathan Entner
Baltimore, MD
I realize the long-term trajectory of the PCUSA as a denomination has been away from the truth (which is one of the reasons the PCA exists), but rather than praying for their destruction and ruin, shouldn't we be praying that they get their house in order and return to Biblical belief and practice -- that God would bring reform and renewal to the denomination, its churches and people?
Richard K. Wendt
Freehold, NJ
My wife and I left the PCUSA 5 years ago, because it has been clear for a decade that this was inevitable, and they are not done yet, because they are intent on redefining marriage, and they will. It has been war by incremental change, and the PCA should not ignore the war the PCUSA has been waging against our Triune God. Though they pretend to love and worship Christ, they have been waging war against Christ under the secular banner of justice and fairness, because they want the church to bless their sin.
m. workman
Raleigh
Ichabod
What I find interesting is that even with the conforming to modern culture they are still loosing numbers!!
What I find interesting is that even with the conforming to modern culture they are still loosing numbers!!
TE Dave Sarafolean
Midland, Michigan
One of the most troubling aspects of the PC-USA is the tyranny of its leadership and its lack of a representative government. At this most recent General Assembly there were just under 800 commissioners but the PC-USA has 11,000 churches. Moreover, many commissioners are political appointees who aren't representing churches per se but factions within the denomination. Visit www.layman.org for more information.
We might complain about things in the PCA but let's be grateful for the wisdom of our founders who made it possible for every church to be represented at General Assembly.
We might complain about things in the PCA but let's be grateful for the wisdom of our founders who made it possible for every church to be represented at General Assembly.
Craig Kaplowitz
Chicago
When did we decide that justice and fairness are secular banners? If we spent less time being so pleased that we are "not like them" and more time working to communciate our reformed Christian understanding of justice and fairness (and actually working toward it), we might have a stronger voice in witness to those who believe differently than we do.
D. V. Pruitt
South Carolina
Isaiah says it best, "Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity. Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned away from Him." (Is.1:4). When the shepherds call what is evil "good", what do you expect.
Shirley Welch
Georgia
I am so glad God has lead me to a PCA Church. Of all other churches I have belonged to and attended my PCA church teaches directly from the Bible. I have belonged to Bible studies for over 10 years and know the bible pretty well and know when something is being taught that isn't right.
Walt Muray
Woodstock, GA
As a child I was a member of a church that became a part of the PCUSA, and I am saddened by where the PCUSA is today.
I agree that we should have a level of compassion, but only for the individuals- we need to pray for either institutional repentance or institutional destruction.
Sadly it looks as though the PCUSA has become a tool of the evil one, and we need to treat it as we would a cult- reaching out with love to the members and leaders, but calling their sin what it is.
Walt
I agree that we should have a level of compassion, but only for the individuals- we need to pray for either institutional repentance or institutional destruction.
Sadly it looks as though the PCUSA has become a tool of the evil one, and we need to treat it as we would a cult- reaching out with love to the members and leaders, but calling their sin what it is.
Walt
Phillip Dennis
New York, NY
This is sad news, but maybe not quite as bad as it sounds at first. According to the PCUSA News Service, they're considering striking the phrase about homosexuality from their translation of the Heidelberg Catechism because it was added undetected by one of the translators in 1962, without any basis in the German or Latin text. Apparently there are several other modifications or mistranslations of the catechism that they intend to correct as part of a total review of the translation.
http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/news/ga08129.htm
http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/news/ga08129.htm
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Kevin
Mississippi