In
2011, the PC(USA) removed language from the Book of Order (part of the
constitution) that limited ordained service in the church to those who observed
“chastity in singleness or fidelity in the covenant between a man and a
woman.” These words did not have a long
history in the church having been added in 1997 they were less than 15 years
old when they were struck. Since their
removal a rallying cry for some in the church is that the PC(USA) no longer has
any standards for ordained service.
This
is the first of a series of entries designed to answer that charge and to
outline what one PC(USA) pastor understands as the standards for ordained
service in the church. I do not pretend
to speak for the PC(USA), the synod or presbytery under whose jurisdiction I
work or the two wonderful churches I serve.
It is just my perspective and I invite responses in the hope of getting
a larger conversation going. For this
first entry, I want to try to set some context for how I understand the
discussion.
Words
matter and often we use the same words to mean very different things. This is a short lexicon sharing how I mean
certain words and phrases common in conversation and debate on this issue. I do not claim to have authority to define
them for the church, rather I define them the way I will use them in this
context.
Standards: Standards
are not rules. Standards are norms or
expectations within the community and placed on those in different roles. For example, it is a rule (or law) that the
President of the United States be a citizen, it is a standard that they exhibit
the ability to lead. It is the responsibility of the discerning (ordaining) body to determine suitability within the standards.
The
Authority of Scripture: By this I mean to express a Reformed understanding that scripture
is necessary, sufficient and accommodating.
With Calvin, I believe that scripture is necessary as a means to
comprehending more fully the love and character of God. It is sufficient for this task needing
neither doctrine nor human authority to shore it up. And it is accommodating to its time. Scripture often assumes a particular world
view. With Calvin, I recognize that
accepting the authority of scripture does not necessitate accepting its
worldview or statements of fact that conflict with emerging human knowledge
(the shape of the world, the movement of the stars, the necessity of striking a
child, etc.)
Human
Sexuality: Human sexuality is about more than sex. It is a term used to describe the various
forms of intimate expression between two people. Being GLBTQ is about far more than just what happens
in the bedroom just as being heterosexual is about more than physical sexual
contact. Human sexuality is, therefore,
a part of our created-ness and is subject to both the ordering of God and the
stain of sin.
Manner of
Life: As
this language remains untested in the courts and councils of the church, I do
not claim to speak authoritatively for the Book of Order in defining this
term. I take it to mean the fullness of
an individual life. To assess the
“manner of life” of an individual is to take into account the fullness of that
life- professional, emotional, physical and spiritual- and not just bits and
pieces to satisfy the question du jour.
It is also not a term meant to anticipate an ideal “manner of life” as a
perfect or sinless life. “We all sin and
fall short of the glory of God.”
With
this lexicon in mind, we come to the question.
In a recent back and forth posting on the Presbyterian Layman website, a
pastor from the west coast and I got into a discussion (to be kind) about
whether or not the PC(USA) has any sexual standards or standards at all for its
ordained offices. It became clear that
in addition to having different perspectives on what is and is not ethical or
in bounds, we had a fundamental disagreement on framing the question for the
discussion. I propose framing the
question for this series of posts as follows:
Under the
current constitution, does the PC(USA) have any standards of behavior for those
seeking or in ordained offices in the church?
I
have chosen this formulation of the question for two reasons. First, by referring to the “constitution”
rather than the Book of Order alone the role of the Book of Confessions is part
of the conversation. This was a matter
of contention at the 220th General Assembly and within the church. Second, I consciously chose to refer to
“behavior” rather than “sexual behavior” because the current language does not
elevate any category of behavior above others for scrutiny. Sexual behavior will necessarily be a part of
that discussion; however the boundaries of a discussion about standards of
behavior for ordained persons cannot be limited to sexual behavior.
What
are the standards for ordination to the offices of Deacon, Ruling and Teaching
Elder?
In
its advisory opinion #24, the Office of Constitutional Services in the Office
of the General Assembly answered this question and referred to the affirmations
made at the time of ordination and installation. These standards include, but are not limited
to:
·
Seeking to follow and be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ
·
Accepting the Scriptures to be the unique and authoritative witness
to Jesus Christ and God’s Word
·
Being guided by the confessions
·
Governed by the polity of the PC(USA)
·
Furthering the peace, unity and purity of the church
·
and Showing the love and justice of Jesus Christ
Specific
affirmations according to office include:
·
Teaching Elders- proclaim the Good News in Word and Sacrament;
teach the faith and care for the people; be active in government and discipline;
serve in councils of the church
·
Ruling Elders- watch over the people, provide for worship, nurture
and service; be active in government and discipline; serve in councils of the
church
·
Deacons- teach charity; urge concern and direct help of the
friendless and those in need.
The
first fundamental question before an ordaining council is whether or not the
individual being examined has the capacity to both answer the questions of
ordination in the affirmative and live a life that reflects these affirmations.
However,
that is not the only question before the ordaining council. And this is where
some of those who claim that there are no longer any standards for ordained
service misread our polity. The relevant
text in the Book of Order is found in the third sentence of G-2.0104b which
reads, “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.” The
responsibility to assess the fullness of the candidate’s manner of life is
still the responsibility of the ordaining council. It is not only appropriate to examine the fullness of the candidate's life, it is a requirement (the word shall applies to both the main object "a determination" and the admonition "not be limited to.") It is mandated that councils examine the ability of the candidate to live into and up to the questions for ordination AND that they not limit the examination to that narrow scope.
Additionally, the source of the standards is
named in this paragraph. The standards
of ordained service are first and foremost a reflection of our desire to submit
joyfully to Christ. The application of
those standards is guided by the Scriptures and confessions. Under this model, Scripture and confessions
are tools for guidance in the ordaining council’s discernment but it is
ultimately joyful submission to Jesus Christ that is determinative.
To
say that there are “no standards” for ordained service is not factually
accurate. There are indeed
standards. On its face, that should answer the question posed above, however the concern of some in the church regarding standards for ordination goes beyond a simple yes or no. Beneath the surface of that yes/no question is another. How, then, do we apply them?
In
the next installment of this series, I turn to the question of scripture and
confessions in the application of ordination standards. What does it mean to be “guided by Scripture
and the confessions?"
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