On Thursday afternoon, the PC(USA) Polity Committee approved the Olympia Overture(POL-01), with amendment, and passed it along for the full assembly to vote on next week.
In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Polity Committee is a standing committee of the General Assembly that deals with matters of church governance and order, also known as polity. This committee reviews and recommends changes to the Book of Order which outlines the denomination’s structure and practices. The committee also considers overtures (proposals) from presbyteries and other bodies regarding polity issues at the bi-annual General Assembly.
The committee carefully evaluated the Olympia Overture, which expands the Book of Order language around non-discrimination and questions for ordination. With great thought and much debate, they chose to divide the original motion and address what the committee saw as two separate issues.
Details of the Olympia Overture (POL-01)
The proposed language in Part A of the Olympia Overture amends the Book of Order F-1.0403’s affirmation of the “rich diversity of the Church’s membership” by adding the following bracketed text: “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.” This was approved by the committee without an amendment.
The majority of the committee’s discussion focused on the second part of the Olympia Overture, changes to G-2.0104b, which states candidates for ordination will receive an examination of their “calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of ordered ministry” which “shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.0404). To this text, POL-01 proposes the following addition: [and in the principles of participation, representation, and non-discrimination found in F-1.0403].
After several attempts to perfect the second part of the motion, the committee finally approved the addition of “and in the principles of participation and representation found in F-1.0403,” immediately preceding the last sentence of the G-2.0104b, and deleting the proposed “non-discrimination.” This would require councils that ordain or install individuals to inquire into the candidate’s understanding of F-1.0403, “the rich diversity of the Church’s membership.” How a council evaluates the inquirer’s answers is still unclear. While the council has the right to determine its own membership, anxiety exists around how this will affect individuals.
Brian Ellison executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians said, “I’m appreciative of the thoughtful amendment the committee made to the overture. The overture does not – and was never intended to – compel any particular answers from candidates or restrain anyone’s conscience.”
Robert Lowry, pastor of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, expressed concern about the Olympia Overture’s second part.
“Fundamentalism is wrong, even when I happen to agree with the fundamentals. [The second part of the POL-01] opens the door to weaponizing our polity. … While much has been said about whether this overture includes a litmus test or not, only time may tell.”
This overture, as amended by the committee, still needs to go to the full assembly for debate, and if approved there, would be sent to the presbyteries for the final votes.
Ellison hopes “the General Assembly will approve the committee’s recommendations without further amendment.”
Related reading
Discussion on non-discrimination overture POL-01 heats up ahead of GA committee meetings
The ongoing dialogue on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
