tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34834827.post7480416034740216318..comments2023-07-12T09:32:08.336-05:00Comments on Ten Minas Ministries: More News on the PCUSATen Minas Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256929436989537718noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34834827.post-67369640350698475962008-03-31T14:58:00.000-05:002008-03-31T14:58:00.000-05:00Frankly, I believe your comment about the PCUSA va...Frankly, I believe your comment about the PCUSA valuing heterosexuality over fidelity is false. The ordination standard itself states that candidates for ordination shall "live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness" (G-6.0106b).<BR/><BR/>I assume by your comment you were referring to the question you posed at the end as to what is the PCUSA's position on heterosexual serial fidelity (i.e., fidelity in marriage #1, divorce, fidelity in marriage #2, divorce, etc.).<BR/><BR/>The answer to your question would depend on the candidate's position on those prior divorces. Bear in mind, nobody is saying that someone who FORMERLY engaged in homosexual behavior should be banned from ordination. It is a question of repentance. If we required a sin-free life for all candidates for ordination, nobody would ever be ordained.<BR/><BR/>So if someone believes that divorce is an appropriate way to end a marriage relationship simply because he or she has gotten bored, then that person should not be ordained. If someone committed this sin in the past, but has since repented and is committed to living in a lifelong marriage or else in chastity, then that person can still be ordained.<BR/><BR/>Here are a few provisions from the Book of Order that bear on this issue for your reference:<BR/><BR/>G-6.0106b<BR/>Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.<BR/><BR/>W-4.9001<BR/>Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the wellbeing of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of<BR/>Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.<BR/><BR/>W-4.8001<BR/>Christians are forgiven sinners living in a sinful world, involved in brokenness which they suffer, involved in brokenness which they cause. Given this reality, a significant move toward wholeness is the recognition and acknowledgement of one’s own responsibility in the brokenness and failure of a relationship<BR/>a. in friendship and in marriage,<BR/>b. ...<BR/>Beyond this the Christian community must recognize and acknowledge its involvement in sin, in broken structures, and in broken relationships. Opportunity is appropriately given in worship for special services of acknowledgement and recognition of failure in relationships, of grieving together over the loss of relationship, and of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation within the believing community.<BR/><BR/>W-6.3009<BR/>The call to healing in pastoral care involves the recognition in each one’s life of the reality of sin, which is the source of all human brokenness. The believing community announces the good news of God whose love gives people grace<BR/>a. to confess their sin and complicity in brokenness,<BR/>b. to repent, expressing sorrow and intention to change,<BR/>c. to accept God’s forgiveness and extend that forgiveness to another,<BR/>d. to forgive the other and accept the other’s forgiveness,<BR/>e. to work toward reconciliation in brokenness,<BR/>f. to trust the power of God to bring healing and peace.<BR/><BR/>I hope this clarifies the issue for you. The short answer to your question would be, "If that person is engaging in that behavior unrepentantly, then the PCUSA's Constitution would not allow his/her ordination either.<BR/><BR/>KenTen Minas Ministrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256929436989537718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34834827.post-11418937320261108362008-03-31T08:30:00.000-05:002008-03-31T08:30:00.000-05:00It seems that the issue is not with how "scruples"...It seems that the issue is not with how "scruples" are dealt with, but how "fidelity" is defined.<BR/><BR/>I am presuming, since you have not said otherwise, that the exceptions are being made for people who are in monogamous relationships, but who can't get married due to the exclusion of homosexuality from that institution.<BR/><BR/>Why is the GA being asked to vote on ripping the scruple loophole wide open, instead of voting whether the PCUSA values heterosexuality over fidelity?<BR/><BR/>Just out of curiosity what are the ordination rules for heterosexual serial fidelity (ie. 4th marriage, no adultery)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com