The Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Committee approved a recommendation from the Advocacy Committee on LGBTQIA+ Equity (ACQ+E) to address transparency and inclusion in the pastoral call process on June 23.
GEN 06, approved by the committee 55–4 with a comment, would direct the Unified Agency (Presbyterian Life & Witness) to modify the Church Leadership Connection’s Ministry Discernment Profile so congregations can indicate whether they are open and prepared to call an LGBTQIA+ candidate. The proposal would also allow LGBTQIA+ candidates to see those responses and filter potential calls accordingly.
The changes would be developed in consultation with the ACQ+E Committee and organizations experienced in LGBTQIA+ accompaniment and education.
Zayn Silva, of the ACQ+E Committee, said this recommendation came from conversations that happened at the National Queer Presbyterian Gathering and that “no one should have to walk into a call not knowing if they are wanted or not.”
“No one should have to walk into a call not knowing if they are wanted or not.”
No amendments were added to the recommendation.
Related reading: “Committee advances sexual misconduct proposals, rejects ‘Book of Order’ terminology change” by Harriet Riley, Outlook Reporting
Discussion centered on intersectional issues with other groups within the church. The Gender and Sexual Justice Committee voted to add a comment to the recommendation that “the committee acknowledges that there is more work to be done with regards to the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) process and intersectionality.” The statement said the committee “affirms this recommendation and its commitment to making the call process more transparent and equitable for LGBTQIA+ candidates.”
The recommendation now moves to the full General Assembly next week for final consideration.
