Considering Other Denominational Assemblies

I finally put my thoughts and impressions of the PCA General Assembly, comparing it with the ARP Synods I have attended.  I’ve been scanning reports from other denominational meetings.  While I may not be thoroughly pleased with the denominations I’ve worked with (why should I?) there are some that I would have a most difficult time.

The PC (USA) General Assembly has just gotten started.  And it was an interesting beginning to say the least.

The sermon and infant baptism focused on the future of the denomination – but not before the assemblage faced east, west, north and south while praying for the Holy Spirit to come and watching people in animal costumes march up the aisles and wander through the worship space.

Elder Fern Cloud of Dakota Presbytery led the call to worship at the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly’s opening worship ceremony Sunday morning, which included interpretative dancing and four processions of flowing banners led by animals such as buffalo and eagle.

Reminiscent of the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver, people dressed as skunks, rabbits and wolves paid homage to the area’s Native American heritage to the sound of a rhythmic drum beat and flute.

One hot issue for them (yet again) is the G.6, or The Fidelity and Chastity Standard for elected office in the denomination.  The female ruling elder who was elected moderator had this to say about the rule that required officers to either be faithfully married (heterosexual) or celibate if single:

“I have been a strong advocate of removing G-6.01016b (the fidelity and chastity standard for elected officers) from the Book of Order. I think it is a stain on the Gospel. I think it does not carry out the inclusivity that we need. And as a lawyer I think it’s pragmatically stupid because it means that we lose many faithful and committed people just because of their sexual orientation.”

A stain on the gospel?  Didn’t Jesus have something to say about adultery and porneia?  They stain the gospel, not fidelity and chastity.  This may finally be the year that the PC (USA), which has half the members it did when I was born, goes down the same road that the Episcopal Church (US) did.  They’ve been trying for years- it is important to be cutting edge you know.  With the floodgates open, the moral conservatives have largely departed.

As a denomination they are also split on gay marriage and civil unions.  While sinners of every stripe are invited (commanded) to repent and believe, the church should not permit them to be satisfied in their sin.  All those who are justified shall also be sanctified.  This seems to be lost on large portions of the denomination.  May God grant repentance!

Many of the churches that have left the PC (USA) have entered the EPC (if only provisionally).  It has been ugly for many of those congregations as they fought to keep the property they purchased and developed.  Thankfully some PC (USA) leaders when to provide for more gracious exits than we have seen in the last few years.  In 3 years, the EPC has added 100 churches, mostly through transfer.  Should those former PC (USA) churches remain, they will need to form new Presbyteries and add staff to the General Assembly to handle the increased work load that comes with growing by over 50%.

The influx of those former PC (USA) churches has shifted the landscape of the EPC.  The EPC has historically been a mix of complementarian and egalitarian churches.  But now there are nearly 50% additional egalitarian churches.  The pressure is on to permit the ordination of women as pastors in addition to ruling elders.  Their General Assembly passed the following amendment to the Book of Government, which now goes to Presbyteries for ratification.

“The officers of the Church as set forth in Scripture are: Teaching elders (designated by many titles in Scripture, including ministers and pastors), ruling elders and deacons. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church believes that the issue of the ordination of women is not an essential of the faith. Since people of good faith who equally love the Lord and hold to the infallibility of Scripture differ on this issue, and since uniformity of view and practice is not essential to the existence of the visible church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has chosen to leave this decision to the Spirit-guided consciences of particular congregations concerning the ordination of women as elders and deacons, and to the presbyteries concerning the ordination of women as teaching elders.”

They recommendations from the Committee permit egalitarian churches to move to presbyteries that won’t inhibit their preferred practice.  But complementarian churches are not allowed the same freedom.  Their membership in the EPC is viewed as implicit approval of women’s ordination even if they choose not to practice it.  How long, I wonder, before they pull out and join the ARP or at least the ARP churches permitting women deacons?  Things are getting interesting.

So, in light of these developments I think the PCA General Assembly was actually fairly uneventful.  And I’m glad it was.