Blackhawk Presbytery
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Supporting Thriving Faith Communities in Northern Illinois
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NewsPresbyterian Church (USA) Changes Ordination StandardsMay 11, 2011 -- A majority of the 173 presbyteries comprising the Presbyterian Church (USA) has approved a change to its ordination standards that was recommended by its 219th General Assembly in 2010.
The change emphasizes the responsibility of governing bodies to “examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office . . . guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.” It removes language that specifically requires those called to office “to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness.”
“The Presbyterian Church (USA), along with other Christian denominations, has engaged the question of ordination of gays and lesbians for more than 20 years,” says Rev. Dr. John Rickard, general presbyter for Blackhawk Presbytery, one of the 87 presbyteries that voted to approve the change in standards. “The fidelity and chastity language was added to the ordination standards in 1997. The change approved today returns the church to its historic ordination standards without any categorical prohibitions. It puts responsibility for discernment of an individual’s call to ministry in the hands of local governing bodies.”
The new language neither requires nor prohibits gays and lesbians from serving as ordained church officers (elders and deacons) or as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. It does require that “the governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation.”
Rev. Dr. Rickard acknowledges that the change in the ordination standards does not bring closure to the controversy within the denomination. “Some of our churches are celebrating today and some of our churches are grieving today. We must be sensitive to the needs of both groups, helping each to know that they have a spiritual home in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and focusing on our missional work in the world.”
Blackhawk Presbytery has prepared these resources to assist with discussion and interpretation of the impacts of this change: a pastoral letter & frequently asked questions, guidelines for working with the media, and a draft press release for you to use or adapt as you see fit. General Presbyter John Rickard is ready to assist with interpretation of this change to our congregations and to support the work of our sessions as they assess their examination practices. Please feel free to call 815.732.3258 or email John at johnrickard@blackhawkpresbytery.org.
Rev. Hunter Farrell, Director of World Mission, PC (USA) has written a letter to our global partners explaining the meaning of the action. Because many of ourcongregations have active international relationships, we wanted you to be aware of this communication. PC (USA) is also informing the mission networks which relate closely to our global partners.
Additional Amendment 10-A ResourcesRev. Japson Micheni Mbae Visits Blackhawk Presbytery We have been honored to host a visit from Rev. Japson Micheni Mbae, moderator of Imenti Central Presbytery in Kenya and secretary to our Kenya Partnership in Kenya. Rev. Mbae itinerated in the presbytery May 2 through 23, visiting partner churches. He brought greetings at the May 10 presbytery meeting, met with the Mission Strategies & Resources Board, and worked with the Blackhawk Presbyery Kenya Partnership on a draft memorandum of understanding to extend the partnership beyond the expirationof the agreement in December 2012.
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