Ordination Standards in the PC-USA
Hope Session Response to the 218th (2008) General Assembly
We are gravely concerned by the actions of the 218th (2008) General Assembly.
We lament the sudden abandonment of thirty years of interpretive statements on the constitution of the PC(USA), expressed as definitive guidance and authoritative interpretation on human sexuality.
We affirm our desire to minister after the example of Jesus, who taught, preached the good news of the kingdom, healed every disease and sickness among the people, and had great compassion for people (Matthew 9:35-36). Therefore, in the name of that compassion, we cannot ignore the clear teaching of scripture and endorse sexual expressions that the Bible calls sinful, especially for leaders in the church.
We reject the call to remove constitutional language that calls for church officers to be either faithful within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chaste in singleness.
The Session of Hope Presbyterian Church
Richfield, Minnesota
July 17, 2008
Declaration of the Hope Presbyterian Session on July 20, 2006
We, the session of Hope Presbyterian Church, declare our conviction that compliance with the standards for ordination* adopted by the whole church in The Book of Order is an essential of reformed polity. Therefore, any departure from these standards bars a candidate from ordination and/or installation by the session and congregation of Hope Presbyterian Church.
*The Book of Order, G-6.0106 – Gifts and Requirements for Offices of Ministry
a. To those called to exercise special functions in the church – deacons, elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament – God gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, natural and acquired, those who undertake particular ministries should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world. They must have the approval of God’s people and the concurring judgment of a governing body of the church.
b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elder, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.