Looking Ahead to General Assembly

The 219th General Assembly, “Streams of Living Water,” will meet July 3-10, 2010, in Minneapolis to consider numerous issues of significance for the PC(USA) and the world, including ordination, marriage, social justice, peace, additions to the Book of Confessions, the proposed new Form of Government, and more.

As always, the Covenant Network will be present at G.A. to support commissioners and advisory delegates with a vision of “a church as generous and just as God’s grace.” Public events include the pre-G.A. Commissioners Convocation Dinner Friday evening, July 2, with speaker Doug Nave, and the Covenant Network G.A. Luncheon on Monday, July 5, with keynoter Gustav Niebuhr.  

If you will be in Minneapolis during G.A., you can make a real difference. Covenant Network needs dozens of volunteers to support commissioners, help with events, staff our exhibit hall booth, and much more.  Volunteers can work a few hours or all week.  Please contact National Organizer Tricia Dykers Koenig about opportunities to serve.

San Francisco Presbytery Votes to Ordain Lisa Larges as Minister of Word and Sacrament

In a meeting that lasted until 11 p.m., the Presbytery of San Francisco voted on November 10 to ordain Lisa Larges as Minister of Word and Sacrament, validate her call as Minister Coordinator of That All May Freely Serve, and enroll her as a member of the Presbytery.

San Francisco thus became the first presbytery to approve ordination of a ministerial candidate who asserts a “departure” on G-6.0106b, using the process lifted up in Authoritative Interpretations of G-6.0108 by the 2006 and 2008 General Assemblies.

As directed by the GAPJC in the recently decided case Naegeli et al. vs. Presbytery of San Francisco (see adjoining story), the presbytery considered Ms. Larges’s Statement of Departure from G-6.0106b along with her Faith Statement, her experience with the presbytery, her ministry experience, her sense of call and the like, and voted to “sustain her trials of ordination” by a vote of 156 – 138.

Ms. Larges, an out lesbian, has been under care of the presbytery for twelve years. But this is the first time the whole presbytery has actually had a chance to meet and examine her. As in all ordination exams in San Francisco, she read a short portion of her Faith Statement and then answered questions posed by the Committee on Ministry. Unlike other exams in San Francisco, a long line of presbyters then posed additional questions, both about her Faith Statement and her Statement of Departure. Ms. Larges’s answers – eloquent, biblical, occasionally humorous, and clearly showing her deep piety and faith – satisfied a majority of presbyters that she is both gifted and called to her ministry and that her departure did not constitute a “failure to adhere to essentials of Reformed faith and polity.”

The presbytery had earlier voted (following nearly an hour of discussion) to recognize her call as Minister Coordinator of That All May Freely Serve – a ministry of witness and outreach to GLBT Presbyterians – as a validated ministry (pending her ordination). That vote was 157 – 144.

While another remedial case against the presbytery will likely be brought (and a “Stay of Enforcement” has already been requested), the Presbytery’s process and discernment represented our historic polity at work today – extending mutual forbearance on conscientious, non-essential differences.

Leslie Scanlon gives a good deal of background in a Presbyterian Outlook article.

Special Committee on Marriage Releases Draft Report,
Invites Feedback

The Special Committee on Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage, established by the 2008 General Assembly, has now released its draft report. The unanimous report provides good and succinct information on several issues the committee was asked to cover, including biblical understandings of marriage, theology of marriage over time, differences between civil unions and marriage, and the legal and financial effects of these differences on same-gender partners and their children.

This preliminary report does not include any recommendations for action. The committee may debate and offer them during their January meeting, after reviewing feedback from the church, which they are requesting no later than November 15. Full story.

The committee’s report, and various overtures arising from it, will be before the 2010 G.A. The Covenant Network offers several resources for congregational study on these issues.

Read more. . .

CovNet Board Responds to the Special Committee on Marriage

In response to the committee's request for input about “the place of covenanted same-gender partnerships in the Christian community,” the Board of the Covenant Network has sent a statement that says in part:

"The church blesses heterosexual marriages contracted under civil law because for centuries marriage partners have testified that their bond is a means of grace. When same-gender partners testify that their committed relationships have the same benefit, they should receive the same blessing."
Read the full statement.

Three-quarters of Presbyterian Clergy Support Recognition of Same-Sex Couples’ Relationships

More than three-quarters of PCUSA clergy support some legal recognition of gay couples’ relationships. Thirty-eight percent support same-sex marriage, and 38% support civil unions for gay couples. Only about 1-in-4 (24%) say there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship.

When clergy are offered a religious liberty reassurance that the law would guarantee that no church or congregation would be required to perform marriages for same-sex couples, support for marriage increases 14 points to majority support (52%), support for civil unions falls to 24%, and the same number say there should be no legal recognition for same-sex couples (24%).

These are some of the results in the recent national Clergy Voices Survey (CVS), the largest survey of mainline Protestant clergy ever conducted.  Read the full Presbyterian results here. More about Public Religion Research, which conducted the survey, can be found at http://www.publicreligion.org/ or http://www.facebook.org/publicreligion.

Conversation on Ordination
Standards Continues

The Covenant Network Board has commented on the Amendment 08-B voting, saying in part: “Voting on Amendment 08-B in the presbyteries is now complete, and the board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, while disappointed by the outcome, is encouraged by signs of progress and still hopeful about the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

...“The total votes cast were nearly equal: forty-nine percent of presbytery commissioners voted in favor of 08-B. Clearly our church has reached no consensus, and the work of learning to live faithfully in a time of disagreement remains before us." Read full statement.

Votes on Amendment 08-B Show Strong Movement Toward Change

Presbyteries have been voting this winter and spring on Amendment 08-B, which would replace the current language of G-6.0106b, with its narrow focus on "fidelity and chastity," with broader, more faithful language emphasizing officers' discipleship to Jesus Christ.

Sadly 08-B did not pass this year. However, in the voting on Amendment 08-B, 34 presbyteries that previously voted No on 01-A switched and voted Yes on 08-B. Only two switched the other way. The final vote was 78 Yes, 95 No. Read more, including a detailed tally.

Organizing to Approve Amendment 08-B: Notes and resources

“I would rather fail in a cause I know someday will triumph, than succeed in a cause I know one day will fail.” - Presbyterian elder and visionary (and U.S. President) Woodrow Wilson

Promoting Listening and Discernment in Your Presbytery

In sending the proposed revision of G-6.0106b to the presbyteries, the General Assembly “strongly encouraged presbyteries to consider this overture [now Amendment 08-B] using a process of listening and discernment.”  The Covenant Network is committed to “work in presbyteries for conversation rather than combat” and encourages presbyteries to take the time for genuine conversation, mutual listening, and shared learning.  Drawing on experiences of colleagues around the church, we offer some suggestions for long-term bridge-building to strengthen relations among Presbyterians and some possible designs for discerning discussions in preparation for presbytery votes.

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The Covenant Network seeks to:

• support the mission and unity of the Presbyterian Church (USA);
• articulate and act on the church's historic, progressive vision;
• work for a fully inclusive church;
• find ways to live out the graciously hospitable gospel by living together with all our fellow members in the PC(USA).

You are invited to this covenant community of envisioning a graceful and inviting church – a church reaching out; offering the gospel to a world in need and gratefully welcoming the gifts of all whom God calls to ministry and service.

To join with other Presbyterians and make your commitment to envision a church that is as generous and just as God’s grace, please sign the Call to Covenant Community and donate through our on-line E-Store.

Save the Date!

    The 2010 Covenant Conference

“We Are Family”
Celebrating the whole household of God

November 4-6, 2010
St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Houston

Watch for more details, but mark your calendar now!

The Church We Can See
from Here

350 Presbyterians from around the country gathered at Cleveland's Church of the Covenant for the 2009 Covenant Conference, "The Church We Can See From Here," November 5 - 7. Four distinguished plenary speakers shared eye-opening addresses:

• Mark Achtemeier traced the evolution of his understanding of God's intentions for sexuality, on the basis of his deepest theological convictions, in "And Grace Will Lead Me Home: Inclusion and Evangelical Conscience."
  (Dr. Achtemeier developed some similar themes in an earlier address at Austin Seminary, which he alluded to in his conference presentation.)
• Kenda Dean described a vague "moralistic therapeutic deism" embraced by many young adults and urged Christians to help young people meet Jesus, in "Hope for a Mutant Mickey: Is Ministry with Emerging Adults the 'New' Youth Ministry?"
• Eddie Glaude urged Americans to re-examine history, especially around race, in order to understand the present moment, in "A Prophetic Witness in Trying Times."
• Dawne Moon provided a sociologist's overview of attitudes toward sexual minorities and offered means for hopeful encounter, in "Relating, 'Knowing One,' and Politics in the Church."

Worship services ranged from a joyful jazz combo from neighboring Forest Hill church, to a meditative sharing of scripture and stories led by Coe College students, to a glorious celebration with antiphonal organ and brass and combined choirs from Church of the Covenant and Fairmount church. In stirring sermons,

• Melva Costen offered "A Few Words to Church Folks in Exile: Roll Up Your Sleeves!"
• Gregory Bentley called on Presbyterians to go "Farther and Deeper"
• Ted Smith, who had led Q&A after each plenary presentation, touched on themes from all parts of the conference in his closing sermon, "The Body We Can See From Here."

We'll post them here as texts become available.

All plenary addresses and worship services are available on CD or audio cassette through our e-store.

Covenant Network Board Responds to Marriage Committee Draft Report

The Board of the Covenant Network has responded to the Preliminary Draft Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage, saying in part:

“True mutual forbearance means that, while remaining together at Christ’s table and continuing to dialogue with one another, we do not seek to initiate disciplinary or remedial actions against pastors or sessions who exercise a different expression of conscience. As you observe, the right to perform marriages is given by the state. Mutual forbearance at minimum must mean that pastors in states that recognize marriage equality must be able to perform civil marriages for all their congregants, without fear of ecclesiastical charges. . . .

“Mutual forbearance [also] demands assurances that no pastor will be compelled to officiate at a marriage ceremony in violation of his or her conscience. Though it is our hope that more states will legalize same-gender marriages, changes in civil law do not and should not create enforceable mandates on religious officers or bodies.”

Read more.

GAPJC Rules Against Attempts to Prevent Larges Examination and Capetz Restoration

In two important decisions from the General Assembly’s Permanent Judicial Commission, the church’s highest court has upheld the right of presbyteries to consider “departures” declared by candidates for ordination or for entry into presbyteries.

In Naegeli et al. vs. Presbytery of San Francisco, the GAPJC upheld the right of San Francisco Presbytery to examine candidate Lisa Larges for ordination, although the presbytery’s CPM had alerted the presbytery that she would be declaring a “departure” regarding G-6.0106b. The GAPJC ruled that the presbytery can consider her declared departure only in the context of a full ordination exam in which it considers her statement of faith, manner of life, history with the presbytery, fitness for the office of call, and the like. The Presbytery will examine Ms. Larges for ordination at its November 10 meeting.

In Bierschwale et al. vs. Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, the GAPJC upheld the Presbytery’s decision to restore Dr. Paul Capetz to the exercise of ordained office despite his declaration of a biblically-based “departure” from G-6.0106b. In a very careful process, that presbytery considered Dr. Capetz’s ministry to hundreds of students at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and to multiple congregations, as well as his faith statement and declaration of departure, in deciding that in this case his declared departure did not constitute a “failure to adhere to essentials of Reformed faith and polity.”

While there were particular procedural issues in each case that allowed the GAPJC to rule on fairly narrow procedural grounds, these decisions build on the Authoritative Interpretations issued by the 2006 and 2008 General Assemblies, helping return the church to its historic practice of mutual forbearance in matters of biblical interpretation and conscience.

Synod PJC Rules in Favor of Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area in Capetz Restoration

In March the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission ruled that the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area acted within its rights when it voted to restore Dr. Paul Capetz, who declared that he is gay and refuses to take a vow of celibacy under G-6.0106b, to the exercise of ordained ministry (from which he had voluntarily asked to be relieved in 2000), and then validated his ministry as a theology professor. However, the GAPJC also ruled that the PJC for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies must have a trial to consider separately whether the Presbytery acted irregularly in treating Dr. Capetz's declaration as a departure from G-6.0106b and then voting that that departure is constitutional.

The trial in the case of Bierschwale, et al. v. the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area was held before the PJC of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on May 11, 2009. The SPJC, with one commissioner dissenting, determined that the Presbytery’s action was not irregular because “the stated departure of Dr. Capetz does not infringe on the rights and views of others, and does not obstruct the constitutional governance of the church,” and it is the Presbytery which has the responsibility to determine whether an individual has departed from the essentials of Reformed faith and polity.  The SPJC found that the Presbytery had not “waived” the ‘fidelity and chastity’ requirement of G-6.0106b, but properly extended mutual forbearance after concluding that Dr. Capetz had not departed from an essential. (Read decision.)

SPJC Lifts Stay on
Examination of Lisa Larges

The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Pacific (SPJC) ruled in March that candidate Lisa Larges may be examined for ordained service in the church.  In so ruling, the SPJC lifted a stay that had prevented examination following a vote by San Francisco Presbytery that Ms. Larges be certified “ready for examination . . . with a departure.”  Read SPJC decision. As of May 4, complainants Naegeli et al. have appealed this decision to the GA PJC.

The SPJC ruled that the San Francisco process was flawed insofar as members of the presbytery, in voting to certify Ms. Larges ready for examination, may have considered her written declaration of departure from G-6.0106b. Read full story.

2008 Covenant Conferees Celebrate, Worship, and Resolve to Work for Change

"I shall be

your God

and you

shall be

my people."

Leviticus 26:12

Four hundred Presbyterians from around the country gathered in Minneapolis’s Westminster Church on November 6-8 for the 2008 Covenant Conference, “Covenant: God Is Faithful Still.”  Pastors, elders, seminarians, and students shared rich plenary addresses, helpful workshops, and five rich and varied worship services.
Read full report.

Ordination Standards
After San Jose

In a recent article in the Presbyterian Outlook, Covenant Network Director Doug Nave discusses ordination standards in the wake of the 218th General Assembly.  His comprehensive analysis notes that the G.A.’s two important Authoritative Interpretations (“AIs”) provide real opportunity for faithfully inclusive ordinations, now.

The first AI (reaffirming the 2006 G.A. AI permitting consideration of scruples on matters of both belief and practice) “renewed the commitment to our centuries-old tradition of respect for the freedom of biblically-formed conscience.”

The second AI “corrected an error made thirty years ago that singled out a single, contested sexual ethic and made conscience irrelevant to it.”

As the church debates and considers the proposed Amendment 08-B (revising G-6.0106b), “the new AIs make clear that sessions and presbyteries are free to consider alternative interpretations in mutual forbearance where biblically-formed consciences differ.”

Read the whole article.

Support the Covenant Network

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2009 brought important progress, and in 2010 we can carry it forward together. The Covenant Network is helping supportive sessions send useful overtures to the 2010 General Assembly; and we'll resource commissioners to make faithful decisions in areas like ordination and covenanted partnerships. We also continue to help sessions and presbyteries understand and apply the new ordination practices authorized by the 2008 G.A.

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Only with your help can we continue educating, advocating, and networking toward a more fully inclusive church. Your gift helps us

• write, publish and distribute interpretive resources for sessions, candidates and presbyteries;
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We're making real progress, but the Covenant Network's work depends entirely on your support. Please send your generous gift. Take advantage of the Network's online e-store and donate now. You can remember or honor someone who's been important in your own journey with a memorial gift; our office will be glad to notify the honoree. Also please ask your session to start, or increase, its support of the Network.

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