Presbyterian church on gay marriage
Evangelical Presbyterians Take on Debate Over Celibate Gay Pastors
A Presbyterian denomination that prides itself on freedom in nonessentials has found its cooperative ministry model strained by the latest discussion of human sexuality.
Presbyterian historian Donald Fortson has been a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) since its inception in 1981, and he says he has never seen a more “raucous” General Assembly than this year’s gathering, held last month in Memphis.
Among the topics of debate was whether to admit a congregation whose pastor identifies as homosexual but also says he is celibate and supports a traditional Christian sexual ethic, which falls under what some contain called “Side B” Christianity.
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Greg Johnson, pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, led his congregation to leave the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) two years ago after that denomination had a preliminary vote to disqualify from ministerial office “men who describe themselves as homosexual, even those who d
Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: Presbyterian Church (USA)
BACKGROUND
With its roots in the 16th century teachings of John Calvin, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) boasts 1.4 million members who participate in more than 10,000 congregations across the country. The largest Presbyterian corporation in the nation, the denomination was formed in 1983 when the southern-based Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) joined the northern-based United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) to shape a single being. The Presbyterian Church (USA) remains different from the Presbyterian Church in America, which tends toward less inclusive policies.
The Presbyterian name derives from the Greek word for “elders” – lay leaders who govern the church and are chosen by its congregants. According to the denomination’s web site, elders operate closely with clergy to, “exercise management, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the being of a particular church as adv as the church at large.” Elders serve at every level of management from “sessions,” which govern a available church, to “presbyteries,” consisting of regional church communities, to the General As
Presbyterian Church in Ireland votes against gay membership
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has adopted a fresh policy that means anyone in a same-sex relationship cannot be a full member of the Church.
It also means their children cannot be baptised.
The move comes after the Church cut ceremonial ties with the Church of Scotland due to its more liberal attitude to same-sex relationships.
Not everyone in the Church agreed with the adoption of the new rules on membership and baptism.
There was a lengthy debate on Friday morning at the annual meeting in Belfast of the decision-making General Assembly.
The debate lasted more than an hour and more than 20 people spoke.
The Reverend Cheryl Meban, a chaplain at Ulster University, urged the Church not to adopt the policy.
'Credible profession of faith'
The Rev John Dunlop, a former moderator, said it was a "highly sensitive" issue and cautioned against adopting any formal rules on the matter.
However, another former moderator, the Rev Stafford Carson, argued that the Church needed to make its position clear that it was not in favour of same-sex relationships.
The po
Presbyterians Approve Queer Marriage In Church Constitution
NEW YORK — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved redefining marriage in the church constitution Tuesday to contain a “commitment between two people,” becoming the largest Protestant group to formally recognize gay marriage as Christian and allow same-sex weddings in every congregation.
The new definition was endorsed last year by the church General Assembly, or top legislative body, but required acceptance from a majority of the denomination’s 171 regional districts, or presbyteries. The critical 86th “yes” vote came Tuesday night from the Presbytery of the Palisades in Recent Jersey.
After all regional bodies vote and top Presbyterian leaders officially accept the results, the adjust will take influence June 21. The denomination has nearly 1.8 million members and about 10,000 congregations.
“So many families headed by LGBTQ couples have been waiting for decades to enter this space created for their families within their church communities,” said the Rev. Robin White, a leader of More Light Presbyterians, which advocates for homosexual acceptance within the church.
So far, 41 presbyteries have rejected the redefi