Local 'Leeway' on Homosexual Clergy Bad News for PCUSA, Says Pastor
by Jim Brown
June 30, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A conservative minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is denouncing the denomination's move to permit the ordination of homosexuals under certain circumstances.
The PCUSA General Assembly recently voted to keep its ordination standards, but gave permission to local churches to disobey those standards which prohibit clergy from engaging in extramarital sex. It approved a new policy that allows local congregations and regional church bodies to approve the ordination of homosexuals on a case-by-case basis. That new "authoritative interpretation" was contained in a controversial report from the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. (See related story)
Pastor Parker T. Williamson, executive director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, explains that under the new policy, it is now possible for Presbyterians to become ministers even if they openly engage in homosexual or heterosexual adultery. "It is possible," he explains, "because the General Assembly has allowed them to take a pass on that standard. So, in effect, the General Assembly has declared the seventh commandment optional. I think that's tragic."
In addition, Williams says by approving the new policy, the denomination's leadership has rendered the church's constitution meaningless and has further damaged a church that is already in schism.
"The interesting thing is, it's not so much that conservatives or orthodox people are leaving the church -- although they are, in droves," Williamson admits. "The fact of the matter is, this Assembly left the church. It left the Church of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is a schismatic Assembly, and it will have enormous repercussions. We're already seeing it."
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly predicted the denomination will lose 85,000 Presbyterians this year. Williamson believes that is a conservative estimate.
Earlier this year, a group of Presbyterian clergy and laity working within the denomination to restore biblical and confessional fidelity predicted the PCUSA was on the verge of allowing ordination of homosexuals. At that time, the group Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry warned that if the Peace, Unity and Purity Report were approved, it would permit the ordination of "practicing, unrepentant homosexuals" in the denomination.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
