Presbyterian Church (USA) Turns Gays Away from Active Ministry

Six weeks ago, I brought your attention to Presbyterian Amendment 08-B, which would open ordination to all called Presbyterians, including lesbian and gay members of the church. There had been an early indication of record numbers of Presbyteries voting to in favor of the amendment, but More Light Presbyterians, the denomination’s LGBT advocacy group, announced Saturday that the “no” votes have won the day.

This national vote continues until May 19, but the ratification decision became clear today as the “no” votes from presbyteries reached the majority number of 87.

More Light Presbyterians laments this loss of the 218th General Assembly’s Ordination Amendment 08-B that would have restored ordination standards based upon faith and character, not marital status and sexuality. Amendment 08-B reflects a Reformed understanding of ordination and put into perspective church membership and service by making faith in Jesus Christ central in ministry. Amendment 08-B gave our Church a faithful way to reconcile one’s faith and sexuality.

“More Light Presbyterians offer our deep gratitude for the thousands of Presbyterians who want the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be a Church for all of God’s people. So far, 48.6% of all votes cast supported a church that embraces and recognizes God’s image in every person,” said Michael Adee, Executive Director and Field Organizer.

As Michael points out, there is reason to hope for the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In what has been a much closer situation than in 2002, 2 oppositional votes today meant defeat for the national ratification of 08-B. However, the good news is that 69 presbyteries have voted in favor with 14 presbyteries yet to vote. The final tally of support for policy change in 2002 was 42. It is important to recognize that 110 presbyteries out of the 155 presbyteries that have voted thus far demonstrate pro-LGBT equality shifts.

Change often comes more slowly than we “radicals” would like. It sometimes seems unconscionable that people who just want to participate in the life of their church are callously turned away, not unlike modern-day lepers. As my own United Methodist Church begins a similar process of declaring whether God’s church is inclusive or exclusive, I thank the minority of Presbyterians who voted for inclusiveness. With faith, hope, love, and a little bit of elbow grease, someday we’ll all be welcomed by our churches.