An Introduction from Dr. Barry Jenkins, Senior Pastor
Resource Information
The Presbyterian Coalition web site has several helpful articles, a few of which are:
- Ordination Standards: has an extensive history of actions taken in regards to G-6.0106b and the ordination standards.
- The 1978 Authoritative Interpretation / Policy Statement and Recommendations
This document approved by the 190th General Assembly (1978) has been the Church’s Definitive Guidance/Authoritative Interpretation on Issues related to homosexuality and ordination. A clear biblical and theological explanation is presented.
- What G-6.0106b Means: Prepared by The Presbyterian Coalition Task Force on Church Discipline. This document gives a timeline and theological explanation of section G-6.0106b, also known as the “Fidelity and Chastity” clause of the Constitution.
- What Happened at the General Assembly of 2008 and Where Do We Go From Here? Another helpful summary of the actions of the 218th General Assembly.
Presbyterians For Renewal web site has several helpful articles, a few of which are:
- PFR One Pager: Overview of the 218th GA: July 21, 2008
- Mark D. Roberts Article of July 12th - this will link to his website which has extensive daily blogs on the denominational issues written in a very helpful manner. Mark D. Roberts is a Presbyterian Minister, author and lecturer. He gives a well balanced view of why the two opposing positions find little common ground.
- What Way Ahead? Part Two: Initiating the Case for Realignment, September 20, 2008.
- What Way Ahead? Part One: Three Options, August 22, 2008.
- Reshaping the PC (USA): PFR Looks Beyond the 218th General Assembly: This article is the PFR’s initial response to the actions of the 218th General Assembly.
- Contending for the Faith: The Way Forward After GA 2008: This article presents several major actions of the 218th General Assembly and PFR’s response.
- The Reshaping Conversation: October 2008
One By One: This is a ministry in partnership with Presbyterians For Renewal whose mission is "To equip and educate the church to minister the transforming grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are in conflict with their sexuality."
Theology Matters: This is an organization that is working to restore the strength and integrity of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s witness to Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior, by helping individual Presbyterians develop a consistent Reformed Christian worldview.
- Jesus Christ, Scripture and the Confessions: A Response to Amendment B, Nov/Dec 2008
The Presbyterian Outlook: The Outlook describes itself as the "independent and informative voice of the PCUSA."
The Presbyterian Layman: The Layman is a news organization that stands firm for traditional, orthodox Christianity in the Reformed tradition. They frequently report on actions of the denomination that are not in keeping with these standards.
The following two organizations are in support of changing the ordination standards.
The Covenant Network: This organization is in favor of the ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. There is a recent news article entitled "John Knox Presbytery Advances Scott Anderson to Candidacy". Mr. Anderson was a member of the PUP task force and his "Affirmation of Conscience (scruple)" is listed in the article. This gives a good overview of his theological position. The Presbyterian Outlook also covers this action in their "News and Analysis" section.
More Light Presbyterians: This organization also "seeks the full particpation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
First Presbyterian Church Session Actions
Past Session Actions relating to previous General Assemblies:
Current Session Actions relating to the 218th General Assembly of 2008:
*Additonal Resources from our January 7, 2009 Denominational Issues Presentation:
