Watch the Presbyterian Assembly LIVE NOW!!!

[NathanATX]

http://www.pcusa.org/ga217/streaming.htm

I think they're talking about a gay issue right now! 3:55pm CST

[NathanATX]

http://www.pcusa.org/acrec/ga.htm#0601

ACREC comment on item 06-01

Comment on Item 06-01 — From the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC)

Item 06-01, Report on the Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity

Comment: The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) respectfully endorses and commends to the 217th General Assembly (2006), for its prayerful consideration and approval, "A Season of Discernment," the final report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church. To that end, ACREC notes the following foundational factors:

The TTF's report is consistent with long-standing public commitments of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Guided by both the Holy Spirit and Scriptures, the PC(USA) has affirmed, as matters of theology and polity, that the church, which consists of all baptized believers, shall reflect and demonstrate inclusive welcome, rich diversity, fair representation, and full participation for the whole people of God.

While we might rightly rejoice in great strides taken in recent decades (especially regarding the inclusion of women and people of color), the sins of the past still haunt us and limit our commitments in both the church and society. Sadly, we still perpetuate unjust myth, stereotype, prejudice, and oppression regarding women and people of color. And the same is true with regard to the treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Thankfully, however, the TTF's report urges all church members and groups to listen prayerfully and carefully to each other, believing that it is entirely possible for the Holy Spirit and Scriptures to reveal new insights and learnings which enrich and expand our commitments to inclusion and diversity. Though some differences may still remain in our biblical, theological, and polity understandings, alone and together we do find shared hope in the One who gives us hope — Christ Jesus.

The ongoing internal divisions and conflicts of the PC(USA) continue to be especially harmful to all those people who are marginalized by both the church and society. Priority commitments needed to address their marginality are diverted to less than productive causes and ends. When God-given gifts of time, energy, money, and other resources are expended in internecine activities, then all marginalized people are further offended and wounded. Consequently and in particular, racial ethnic people, women, and other marginalized groups of people experience no gains in mission or ministries from an embattled church.

ACREC firmly believes that "Christ becomes for us the One who holds all things together" (Colossians 1:17b, paraphrased). Doctrine doesn't do it. Polity doesn't do it. Christ Jesus alone gives us our oneness as the people of God, who can live together in peace, unity, and purity.

A divided church is a scandal to both church and world, for the heart and vitality of mission and ministry are deeply diminished. ACREC believes that the TTF's report provides Spirit-guided and promising ways for the church to move from a time of disgrace to a state of grace, when our unity in Christ can lead to the beloved Christian community. Only then will the whole people of God experience inclusive welcome, rich diversity, fair representation, and full participation. Only then will the PC(USA) really reflect and demonstrate its biblical belief that "Christ becomes for us the One who holds all things together."

[NathanATX]

Motion passed by 57%

[NathanATX]

Anyone clear on the ramifications of this?

[NathanATX]

It looks like they're just putting off any actual decision.

[NathanATX]

But now they're talking about glbt ordination!

[Liberal Crozier]

Nathan,

The Holy Spirit is working in the Churches.....we only need for us to pray for truth and justice.

[schoolboi]

I am so tired of being studied and discerned. They have been studying and discerning this "issue" for 30 years! It's not enough for me.

[Steven E. Webster]

Schoolboi & friends,

The Presbyterian action is not perfect, but it does open the door to local churches and presbyteries (i.e. regional bodies) to ordain LGBT persons. (I consider myself a friend of one of the authors of the Presbyterian action today--he's an openly gay Presbyterian).

The action isn't perfect. They leave some anti-LGBT language in place, but they permit local churches and bodies to essentially ignore the LGBT language and go ahead with ordinations.

It's a compromise. It lets the national church still take a stand that homosexual sex is a sin, but it allows local and regional bodies to disagree with that.

It is very likely that this will really anger conservatives and that there will be a schism in the Presbyterian Church like there is in the Anglican Communion. This is unfortunate, but at least part of the church will be free to go forward and do the right thing by their LGBT members. Eventually the conservatives will come around (I hope)--hardly anyone thinks that slavery is o.k. anymore, but the majority opinion in U.S. Christian Churches only 150 years ago was that God approved of slavery. Progress then required the churches to split too.

I am very encouraged by the news coming out of both the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches today.

Steven Webster