Presbytery Assembly decisions: LGBTQ inclusion, Episcopalian ministers
The Chicago Presbytery Assembly met tonight at Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Ill.
Rev. Kristin Hutson was present as a member of the Presbytery. Clerk of Session Eld. Gerry Farinas represented the congregation as Elder Commissioner.
Tonight, the Assembly voted on proposed amendments to the Book of Order (our Constitution) sent to the Presbytery from the General Assembly (GA).
The GA met in Salt Lake City earlier this year in its capacity as the national governing body of our denomination.
The amendments put before the Assembly include:
Changing the language used in the Book of Order regarding LGBTQ persons;
Clarifying relationships with new worshiping communities;
Extending how long a temporary pastor can stay in a congregation;
And adding to the sexual abuse policies.
LGBTQ amendments
These amendments were debated heavily at the GA. One in particular was met with very strong opposition from Presbyterians who have very strong convictions about theology regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons.
There is a part of our Constitution entitled Foundations of Presbyterian Polity. At issue was adding the words “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” as people who should not be discriminated against when it comes to the life and work of our denomination.
Despite opposition from people who truly believe, deep down in their hearts, that LGBTQ persons have no place in Church leadership and congregational life, the amendment to Book of Order F1.0403 was approved to be sent to the presbyteries.
If the nation’s presbyteries concur, the following paragraph will describe who is part of the life and work of the Church in the Book of Order:
The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (USA) shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership. No member shall be denied participation or representation for any reason other than those stated in this Constitution.
Similarly, an amendment to Book of Order G-2.0104b was approved by the Assembly.
This change would ensure that discrimination doesn’t happen by ordained persons toward LGBTQ persons in their congregations.
The LGBTQ Task Force of the PCUSA explained, “The heart of this proposal intends for emerging teaching elders, ruling elders and deacons to make explicit their intention, as part of the preparation/examination process for ordination (prior to an ordination service), not to discriminate in the course of their service based on identity markers named in F-1.0403. The committee believes that every person in the church has a right to be treated with equality, fairness and dignity.”
Sexual abuse policies
The Chicago Presbytery Assembly also approved clarifications to our denomination’s policies for sexual abuse that happens in our Church.
Among the changes is making sure people who have disabilities, and adults who have various vulnerabilities that can make them targets of abuse, are protected.
If presbyteries concur, G-3.0106 will be amended as follows:
All councils shall adopt and implement the following policies: a sexual misconduct policy, a harassment policy, a child, youth, and adults with vulnerabilities protection policy, and an antiracism policy. Each council’s policy shall include requirements for boundary training which includes the topic of sexual misconduct, and child sexual abuse prevention training for its members at least every thirty-six months.
Accusations are serious matters and the GA was asked to consider protections for accused persons in the form of guarantees of due process in investigations, “without diminishing the protections afforded to the alleged or potential victims of that misconduct.”
Episcopalians and Presbyterians sharing ministers
There has been long-standing work toward entering into communion with The Episcopal Church, the largest of the Anglo-Catholic denominations in the U.S. There are many issues that have to be dealt with before communion. Some of them are theological.
For example, there were decades-long discussions regarding whether or not presbytery moderators are bishops and whether they apply when it comes to the idea of apostolic succession—that there is a clear line of succession from the first apostles, through the ages, to the present-day offices of presbytery moderator and bishop.
One of the things the two denominations would like to do is to share ministers of Word and Sacrament. The GA would like to make a move on this.
The two denominations have discussed a framework that could work in limited fashion.
Our two churches have agreed to be in dialogue for the specific purpose of considering the question of the mutual recognition of ordained ministries, as a step towards the unity that is Christ’s will for his Church. Our current agreement enabled The Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) in June of 2017 to formally and publicly participate in the Churches Uniting in Christ recognition of ordered ministry.
This public proclamation underscores and casts away possible barriers of our current agreement to move forward in missional partnership. On the basis of converging but not yet wholly compatible understandings of the ordained ministry, and sufficient agreement in faith and ministry, together with a marked growing together of our two churches over recent decades, this group proposes that our churches deepen our current relationship.
The GA furthermore explains the proposal being considered:
Within the current agreement (2008-2009), and without exceeding the discretion of The Episcopal Church bishops and Presbyterian Church (USA) presbyteries, there shall be provision for the following exchange of ordered ministers between our churches:
The acceptance of Episcopal presbyters (those ordained and referred to as priests) in Presbyterian placements and in ecumenical ministries where the Presbyterian Church has the right of appointment;
The acceptance of Presbyterian Church presbyters (specifically those ordained and consecrated to the ministry of the Word, Sacrament, and teaching, referred to as ministers of Word and Sacrament or teaching elders) in Episcopal appointments such as ecumenical ministries and cooperating parishes where the Episcopal Church has the right of appointment;
This agreement does not enable ordained ruling elders and commissioned pastors (also known as commissioned ruling elders) of the Presbyterian Church (USA), nor deacons of The Episcopal Church or Presbyterian Church (USA), to be considered.
Furthermore, the proposal answers the question, “Does a Presbyterian minister then have to follow the Common Book of Prayer?”
While a presbyter serves a particular placement or ecumenical setting because we do not yet have reconciliation and full interchangeability of ordained ministries, as stated in the current agreement, all authorization for these special opportunities must conform to the Book of Common Worship and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Book of 39 Common Prayer and the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church. What this means explicitly is that:
Presbyterian presbyters will use the authorized or commended worship resources of the Presbyterian Church (USA) unless authorized by the diocesan bishop to use Episcopal worship resources (with the exception of Eucharist prayers);
Episcopal priests will use the authorized or commended worship resources of The Episcopal Church unless authorized by the presbytery to use Presbyterian worship resources;
Priests and presbyters are bound to the Eucharist liturgies of their respective prayer books and denominational resources when they preside;
Both priests and presbyters may use authorized or commended worship resources of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in which both churches are in full communion, including the Eucharist liturgies, with the authorization of the “inviting” Ecclesiastical Authority.
Having reviewed the proposals sent to the Assembly by the GA, the Elder Commissioners of Chicago Presbytery voted to approve the proposed plan. It will now be sent back to the GA and the joint Episcopalian-Presbyterian commission working on full communion.
Further reading
For a complete reading of the amendments and their rationales, click here.
