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The Committee on Theological Education and Ordination spent all but half an hour of its marathon second day working through the various items included in the Ordination Task Force’s report (ORD-07). Ultimately, the committee voted on all 10 items, approving eight — some with amendments — and disapproving two. Commissioners still need to vote on sending the final report as a whole to the full assembly, which was slated to happen on Wednesday morning.
The Ordination Task Force’s comprehensive report in ORD-07 came with 10 proposed items labeled A through J, including several with multiple sub-parts. While committees often address items of business and their components out of order to accommodate schedule needs, the ORD committee opted to take each item contained in ORD-07 in sequential order, recognizing that the task force chose the given order with intention. Committee members also heard from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution with recommendations for each item.
The largest amount of time and energy was spent, as committee leaders anticipated, on Item C, which proposed several changes to Section G-2.0607, Final Assessment and Negotiation for Service, in the Book of Order. The most significant proposed change was the addition of a senior ordination portfolio as an alternative to senior ordination exams. Presbyteries already have the power to approve alternate forms of assessment on a case-by-case basis, but this proposal would offer a standardized alternative.
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The committee debated the topic heavily, with Moderator Charlotte Lohrenz noting at one point that nearly every committee member had signed up to speak on the topic. Those speaking in favor of the proposed change highlighted the benefits for ordination candidates who are neurodiverse, from non-English-speaking backgrounds, or other non-dominant communities. Those arguing against Item C emphasized the scope of work involved and the undue burden placed on smaller presbyteries and the people who oversee the exam process for the denomination. They pointed out that presbyteries already have the power to approve alternatives in their own contexts, so a national requirement is unnecessary.
Ruling elder commissioner Bruce Johnson called this a case of “using a sledgehammer where a scalpel will do” and noted smaller-scale changes that might address many of the concerns raised. Meanwhile, teaching elder commissioner Emma Horn argued that many presbyteries lack the resources or creative capacity to imagine viable alternatives to the standard exam process, leaving their candidates at a disadvantage.
When the committee finally voted on the item, it failed by a margin of a single vote. However, hours later, a motion to reconsider opened the floor for further discussion. During this time, the committee approved a change from “shall” language to “may” language, which made Item C an option rather than a requirement. An amendment from Young Adult Advisory Delegate Alexander Boltz added further nuance, proposing that the portfolio option be introduced with a 2/3 majority approval from the presbytery. He also added language to standardize expectations around evaluation of the portfolios and other assessment tools, ensuring that “evaluation practices are consistent, transparent, and informed by anti-racism, intercultural competency, and equitable assessment principles.”
With Boltz’ amendment in place, Item C was voted on again, and this time, it was approved by the committee.
Item A, which proposed mandatory annual training for presbyteries on the ordination process, also involved a fair amount of discussion and several notable changes. The committee debated how often the training should occur, who should be responsible for providing it, and who should be required to take it. A proposed amendment to the item was voted down as the final act of business on day one of the committee’s work, but committee members ultimately approved the item early on day two. The approved version included several changes, including shifting the required frequency to every 36 months and adding a clause stipulating that the training address anti-racism, intercultural competency, and other topics related to nondiscrimination.
Two items in the report were disapproved by the committee and ultimately stricken from the report draft. Item E sought to formally rename “Commissioned Ruling Elders” to “Commissioned Pastors.” Advocates highlighted that the proposed change better reflected the nature of the work, while those opposed argued that presbyteries have their own power to make this shift and a national mandate was both confusing and constitutionally unnecessary. The item was turned down by a vote of 28 in favor, 30 opposed.
Item H would give presbyteries authorization to ordain ruling elders in particular missional contexts — an authority traditionally reserved for congregations. While some argued that this would give necessary status to those leading immigrant fellowships and new worshiping communities, the motion ultimately failed by a significant margin.
Items B, D, F, G, I and J were passed with less debate, though committee members amended several of these items to clarify language and reflect the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution. Item B proposed background checks and psychological evaluations during the inquiry stage of the ordination process, Item D reaffirmed the nonhierarchical nature of the various ordered ministries of the church, and Item I granted immigrant fellowships and new worshiping communities full incorporation into the life of the denomination, including voice and vote at presbytery meetings. These items were approved by a solid majority.
Item J recognized that Certified Christian Educators have training consistent with expectations for Commissioned Ruling Elders and should not be required to duplicate their efforts. Though this proposal did stir up some back and forth, it was also ultimately approved by a narrower margin.
Items F and G were both amended in accordance with ACC recommendations for the sake of clarity, then ultimately received hearty approval from the committee.
While the committee ultimately managed to complete its consideration of all items contained in ORD-07, it opted to reserve the final vote of approval for the last day of committee work when minds and bodies were fresh.
Deliberation on ORD-07 took enough time that several other items related to the Committee on Theological Education were pushed to Wednesday’s docket. However, the committee did end its day hearing from Kimmy Briggs, chair of the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates, speaking about the PCC’s self study and subsequent recommendations in ORD-06. The committee overwhelmingly approved ORD-06 with a vote of 56-1 before ending the day together in worship.
