by Pastor Dan Baumgartner

Last August (2008) I wrote at some length about the latest round of dispute within our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), around the issue of sexual practice and the ordination of leaders. Specifically, the General Assembly had approved a proposal to replace some current leadership standards in the Book of Order (marriage as one man/one woman or chastity in singleness) with much less specific language, eliminating language on sexual behavior.

That proposal has now been voted on by each of the 173 presbyteries in the country over the last 8 months. The proposed amendment was defeated, so the leadership language will remain in place. This is the third time a similar change has been proposed and defeated in the last 10 years. The vote was closer this year than in the previous ones.

Bethany’s elders and staff on Session spent a good deal of time studying and discussing the sexuality and leadership question across several meetings, and Bethany sent a full contingent to the Seattle Presbytery meeting which discussed and voted on the proposed amendment. Like the denomination as a whole, the Seattle Presbytery voted against the proposal.

Though I personally agree with the outcome, this is clearly not the end of this discussion in the PCUSA or in many other denominations. It remains a divisive and painful issue that needs study, prayer and sensitivity.