SPJC Lifts Stay on Examination of Lisa Larges

The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Pacific (SPJC) ruled this week 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.” 

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. The SPJC reminded the parties that a departure may be assessed only in the context of a formal examination (where the presbytery can take into account the candidate’s statement of faith, manner of life, response to questions, fit for the office of call, and similar matters).  Ms. Larges, a lesbian, declared that she departs from exclusionary readings of G-6.0106b. 

In subsidiary rulings, the SPJC agreed with San Francisco Presbytery that the SPJC cannot “second-guess” the CPM’s report and recommendations to presbytery, and that it cannot order a presbytery to remove a candidate from the roll.  The SPJC also reminded the parties that an examining presbytery must enforce mandatory ordination standards.  When Ms. Larges is examined, this will require a determination whether her departure from G-6.0106b “constitutes a failure to adhere to the essentials of Reformed faith and polity” so as to preclude ordination, or whether her departure should be treated as non-essential in her case.

Ms. Larges’ candidacy will now move forward in San Francisco Presbytery, where she is expected to seek ordination and validation of her service as Minister Coordinator of That All May Freely Serve.