BIRMINGHAM — The General Assembly has voted not to recommend any changes in the ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regarding sexuality — a vote that follows the lead of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the PC(USA).
The task force had asked that no effort be made now to change the ordination standards — in part to give the denomination time to live into the changes the task force report will bring.
So, shortly after approving the task force report June 20, the assembly voted 405-92 to reject an overture from Heartland presbytery that would have asked the presbyteries to vote on whether to strike from the church’s constitution the current standard, which limits ordination to those who practice fidelity if they’re married or chastity if they’re single.
That strong margin likely reflects both the views of commissioners who think the ordination standards are what they should be — and some who might be willing to consider change, but who think the time isn’t right now.
When the issue was discussed in the assembly’s Church Orders committee, the vote was much closer — with 30 commissioners voting not to approve the Heartland overture and 28 voting in favor of it.
The assembly also considered an overture from Mississippi presbytery on Christian marriage — an overture stating that “marriage should be between one man and one woman” and that same-sex unions “are clearly in opposition to Scripture and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”
The assembly voted that overture down 322-170.
