Written by Staff | Thursday, January 16, 2020

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“Grace Presbytery believes the concept of “Celibate Gay Pastor” to be contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the constitutional standards of the Presbyterian Church in America, and that the churches of Grace Presbytery should not presume to think that candidates for our pulpits who identify themselves in this (or similar ways) will be approved for admission to Grace Presbytery.”

At its January 14, 2020 stated meeting, Grace Presbytery acted on a communication from the Session of the Thomson Memorial Church of Centreville, Miss., to “prevent the proliferation of Teaching Elders publicly identifying themselves with a ‘gay identity’.” Presbytery referred the matter to the Ad Interim Committee, which recommended the following to Grace Presbytery:

That Grace Presbytery concur with the Thomson Memorial Session’s concern to “prevent the proliferation of Teaching Elders publicly identifying themselves with a ‘gay identity;” That Grace Presbytery not initiate a judicial complaint or overture to the General Assembly at this time; and That Grace Presbytery adopt the following in thesi statement as an expression of the mind of the court and as guidance for the Examining and Candidates Committee in their future examinations of those seeking admission to Grace Presbytery:

“Grace Presbytery believes the concept of “Celibate Gay Pastor” to be contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the constitutional standards of the Presbyterian Church in America, and that the churches of Grace Presbytery should not presume to think that candidates for our pulpits who identify themselves in this (or similar ways) will be approved for admission to Grace Presbytery.”

The three recommendations were adopted by voice vote with no audible negative votes or abstentions.