Quote:
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
It appears from unofficial voting tallies that amendment 14-F of the Directory for Worship in the Book of Order has been approved by a majority of the presbyteries. The approval allows Teaching Elders wider discretion in whose weddings they may conduct and Sessions wider discretion in whose weddings it may host. That discretion could include same gender marriages in states where that is permitted.
It is important to note that the determination of what couple a Teaching Elder will marry has and will continue to be with that Teaching Elder. Likewise, the determination by a Session as to whose weddings a congregation will host remains solely with the Session. There is nothing in the amendment to compel any Teaching Elder to conduct a wedding against his or her judgment, nor a Session to host one against its judgment.
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LINK:
PCUSA Votes to Permit Same-Sex MarriagesWhat this essentially means is that (1) PCUSA will permit same-sex marriage ceremonies to be performed in PCUSA-affiliated churches, while (2) PCUSA-affiliated pastors and elders may still exercise personal 'discretion' (e.g., "Free Will") in deciding which couples they will join in marriage.
Several Presbyterian churches have already voted to break their affiliations with PCUSA over this decision - even churches in so-called 'Liberal' California!
Thoughts? Comments?
(Mind the rules, please.)
18 Mar 2015, 8:35 am
