A Pastoral Letter from PFR and the Fellowship of Presbyterians

A Pastoral Letter from PFR and the Fellowship of Presbyterians

(Originally published HERE, June 20, 2014) 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Meeting in Detroit, our 221st General Assembly has taken two significant actions on the teaching and practice of marriage according to the PC(USA)’s Book of Order. First, the GA approved an Authoritative Interpretation (AI) that now permits PC(USA) pastors to conduct same-sex weddings, and allows sessions to approve the use of church property for such ceremonies. Secondly, the GA approved a proposed amendment to the Book of Order that would replace current language with a description of marriage as a relationship between “two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”

While the AI goes into effect immediately, the proposed amendment requires ratification by a majority of the presbyteries before any change could be made, a process that takes about one year. Both measures are designed to allow pastors and congregations to participate in same-sex weddings, in states where gay marriage is legal.

We grieve these actions by the General Assembly. We believe we will look back on this day and see the error of these decisions. But an Assembly of our denomination has spoken, and now we must move ahead without compromising compassion or conviction.

It is extremely important to understand that while the AI and the constitutional amendment broaden the denomination’s interpretation of marriage, they do not require any pastor to officiate or any session to authorize the use of church property for a marriage service with which they disagree. It remains up to each pastor and each session to determine what is and is not appropriate for their congregation.

Proponents of these two actions have made great effort to invite and welcome those who hold unwaveringly to a traditional interpretation of marriage to remain engaged in the mission and ministry of the PC(USA) with full integrity. Some will resolve to do this—others may not. Those of us who do remain in the PC(USA) will, no doubt, encounter other decisions and actions with which we will disagree. We are not here to fight and divide, but to continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to testify to the transforming power of his love that is available to everyone. We urge you in the strongest possible way to refrain from actions, attitudes, and language that would mar the image of Christ in your response to the Assembly’s actions.

Let us commit to one another, and to Almighty God, that we will seek to embody the grace and love of our Savior across our theological differences, and in personal and congregational deliberations about our future in the PC(USA).

Pictures from the Prayer Wall

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Five Things to Celebrate the Day the Marriage Amendment Passed

Written by Allison 

I have written elsewhere that I am an "obnoxious optimist".

So, it should come as no surprise that the day after the motion on the Marriage Amendment was approved and a portion of our church is mourning (and while I mourn with those who mourn), I choose to celebrate as well.

First ... 

The gal on the left is Eva, one of Beaver-Butler Presbytery's commissioners, a ruling elder.

The fellow on the right is our Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD), whose name is Josh.

At the end of the evening, Josh carried Eva's heavy laptop bag back to the hotel for her. And it's not the first time he's done it.

I celebrate that the Presbyterian Church is raising and nurturing a young man like Josh.

Second ... 

These are mandalas--an interactive way of praying through coloring.

(Yes, their history is not originally Christian but we in the Church are pretty good at adopting, baptizing, and re-purposing the traditions of others. You know, like Christmas and Easter.)

Coloring a mandala is one of my favorite ways to pray. And I know that I was not the only one who was praying yesterday. I have no doubt that the Assembly has been filled with prayer, soaked in prayer, blanketed in prayer.

I celebrate that the Presbyterian Church is serious about prayer ... even when what I prayed for doesn't happen. (It's about what God wants, not what I want anyway, right?)

Third ...

At the end of the day, this song overflowed from the speakers and 248 red beach balls were batted around from commissioner to commissioner, celebrating the birth of 248 new worshiping communities since the previous General Assembly (2012) when the 10 year goal of 1001 was originally set.

For those who are most concerned about the gospel being shared to the ends of the earth, here is good news for you! I celebrate that the Presbyterian Church is committed to creating new communities of faith where the gospel of Jesus Christ is being shared.

Fourth ...

I celebrate that THIS is still the first chapter of our Book of Order in the Presbyterian Church. 

"The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--creates, reforms, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people." 

"God has put all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and has made Christ Head of the Church, which is his body. The Church's life and mission are a joyful participation in Christ's ongoing life and mission are a joyful participation in Christ's ongoing life and work." 

Fifth ... 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

I celebrate that even though the Presbyterian Church doesn't always do what I want it to do, Christ has still regarded my helpless estate and shed his own blood for my soul. No vote of the General Assembly can change this, for which I am deeply grateful.  

Still "abounding in hope,"
Allison

A Letter to Congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

PC(USA) leaders issue pastoral letter to the church onAssembly’s marriage actions

JUNE 19, 2014

To congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Earlier today the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a recommendation from its Civil Union and Marriage Issues Committee allowing for pastoral discretion to perform “any such marriage they believe the Holy Spirit calls then to perform,” where legal by state law.

They also approved a recommendation to change language in the Book of Order to indicate that “marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”

Both decisions came with much thought, discussion and prayer, and clearly the entire body that is the PC(USA) will be interpreting these actions for some time.

Please know that the same triune God in whom we place our hope, faith and trust in is still in control, and that the Assembly’s action today is the result of deep discernment to hear God’s voice and discern God’s will.

We concur with the feelings expressed by Teaching Elder Commissioner Jeffrey Bridgeman, moderator of the Civil Union and Marriage Issues Committee, during his presentation to the Assembly.

“The apostle Paul tells us that ours is, in fact, ‘the ministry of reconciliation’ as ‘ambassadors of Christ,’ and he died for us so that we might be reconciled, that we might become reconcilers,” Bridgeman said.

In this season of both happiness and sadness over the Assembly’s decisions, we call on you to remember the overflowing grace and love God gifts us with, and to take seriously our charge to bestow the same grace and love on one another.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

Ruling Elder Heath K. Rada
Moderator, 221st General Assembly

The Reverend Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Ruling Elder Linda Bryant Valentine
Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency