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FAQs about Ordination Standards for the PCUSA
Amendment 10-A was adopted by the PC(USA) in July of 2011. It reads:
1. What does the change in ordination standards mean? The Presbyterian Church (USA) has shifted the authority for applying its ordination standards from the national level to the local presbytery and session level. This represents a decentralization of the church and puts more discernment in the hands of people at the local level.
2. May congregations now ordain people who are openly gay? The previous standards were never based on a person’s orientation, but on their behavior. The new standards do not list specific behaviors that automatically exclude someone for consideration for ordination. Each examining body is responsible to look at all possible factors to determine if someone is being called into ordained ministry.
3. Specifically, what was changed? The primary change is the removal of language requiring those ordained “to live either in fidelity in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” It also adds language referring to obedience to Christ, and indicates that fidelity to church standards is judged case by case by the examining body.
4. What practical changes will we see? If pastors, elders, and deacons who are ordained in one area move to another location, they shall be examined by that ordaining body before being able to take up their office. That body may choose to apply ordination standards differently from the officer’s previous body.
5. Is the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians mandated? No, it is not required, but it is no longer prohibited by specific Constitutional language.
6. Will a congregation be required to change anything? No. Congregations ordain or receive pastors, elders or deacons of whom they approve, and each congregation determines who will serve as its officers. 7. May a congregation or presbytery ordain or install a sexually active homosexual? Yes, if the congregation or presbytery believes the person to be called by God and to be living in keeping with the church’s ordination standards, its Confessions, and Scripture.
8. Does the current language give candidates who are sexually active outside the covenant of marriage the “right” to be ordained? No one has a “right” to be ordained. Ordination is based on a sense of God’s call as confirmed by the ordaining body.
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May 19, 2012 JOIN US FOR WORSHIP AT BPC Sunday Mornings
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