In a debate about issues in the Middle East, Beaver-Butler Presbytery ruling elder Eva-Maria Barr spoke on the floor of the General Assembly this evening.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Eva spoke about growing up in post-World War II Germany, where she was forced to go through checkpoints and searches by armed police and dogs. She resonated with stories of Palestinians whose lives are similarly disrupted.
After an afternoon and evening of deliberation, the GA
narrowly voted to divest from Caterpillar, Hewlitt-Packard and Motorola
Solutions. The motion passed by 7 votes (310-303).
That said, true divestment of these stocks may never happen,
because the Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation have a fiduciary
responsibility to make money on their investments; not sell stocks at a loss
because the GA says to sell them.
The damage done by this vote is the loss of goodwill with
our Jews worldwide and the misinterpretation of the vote. Even though the
action of the GA is to divest of the stock in those three corporations, the
media has already reported that this vote is to divest in Israel. That is
simply not true. In fact, the GA went out of its way to affirm the peacemaking
efforts in Israel and Palestine and to make sure that the media knew that this
vote was not anti-Israel.
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).
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.
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
The moment everyone was waiting for is now
behind us.
What I expected occurred. The GA endorsed gay marriage today.
Even
though I expected this, I am surprised at how heavy my heart is. I believe the
GA has created a constitutional crisis for the denomination. Only time will
tell what the implications will be in the months ahead. But I am not very
optimistic. I will truly be seeking after God in the weeks ahead, seeking
discernment about where to go from here.
I confess that today it has been difficult to see Jesus in the people of General Assembly, but I know that Jesus is here still ... one just has to look harder.
Glimpses can be seen in a short phrase added to a resolution reminding us of our traditional definition of marriage.
Jesus was there when members of our Beaver-Butler contingent signed papers of dissent for an action taken which did not show Jesus and his fulfillment of "all" Scripture.
Our Lord was present when the speaker during our time of worship encourages us to "feed the monster of hope."
We would all do well to hold onto a saying of the Amish: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the PRESENT--it is a gift from God."
Regardless of the tears we might shed, today--in the "present"--Jesus is here to dry those tears, and give us the ability to continue to see him here at #ga221.
(Originally published HERE earlier today, June 19, 2014.)
The debate on the marriage issue is underway.
10-07 A motion to appoint a 2 year task
force to study the issues of marriage was disapproved.
10-01 Concerning the church’s role in
legal marriage services of Christian covenant was disapproved.
10-03 On issuing an authoritative
interpretation to affirm pastoral discretion
10-04 On performing Christian marriage ceremonies
was approved 61% - 39%.
This was the vote that disappointed and concerns me the
most. By passing this authoritative interpretation, less than 600 commissioners
took away the voices of the 1.7 million Presbyterians who would like a voice
regarding this very controversial and divisive issue. In addition, Roberts
Rules of Order were ignored by those who have been entrusted to protect the
Constitution of the PCUSA. The Authoritative Commission on the Constitution,
the Stated Clerk and the Moderator - even when brought to their attention. We
have just created “local option” for pastors.
10-06 Rescinds the authoritative
interpretation of 1991 concerning teaching elders performing marriages for
same gender couples and sessions permitting such ceremonies in their facilities.
This was passed 76% - 24%.
10-02 Amends the PCUSA Book of Order
to change the language regarding marriage to “marriage involves a unique
commitment between two people, traditionally between a man and a woman, to love
and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that
unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the
church and the wider community.” This will now replace W-4.9000 in the Book of
Order and become the entirety of the new section on marriage. Passed 71% - 29%.
10-05 Add this language to W-4.9000 of the
Book of Order: “For the purpose of God’s mission, presbyteries and sessions may
define marriage as a civil contract between two persons within the boundary of
the state law.” Passed 75% - 25%
10-NB Directs the Presbyterian
Mission Agency Board and the Committee on the Office of the General
Assembly to establish a way to bring reconciliation to the church that
would involve visiting each presbytery and serving as a resource for each
presbytery’s discussion of these actions in congregations and the presbytery
at-large and present voices of reconciliation for the unity of the church.
While 2/3 of the commissioners are rejoicing, 1/3 of us are
grieving for our denomination that has departed us and scriptural authority.
If my people, who are
called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will
forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) YOU CAN CONTINUE TO FOLLOW MARK'S POSTS ON HIS BLOG: The Plumb Line.
