April 22, 2006
We, the Session of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia, being led by the Holy Spirit and after careful deliberation and prayerful discernment, unanimously support and affirm amendment b of 1996 of G-6.0106b as stated in the Book of Order:
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 can sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
This amendment establishes the standard of fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness. Therefore, we cannot support the ordination of unrepentant practicing homosexuals. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that in God's eyes we are all sinners and are all in need of His saving grace through Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we object to the method recommended by the Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity to circumvent the established polity of the Presbyterian Church USA. This will lead to the selective interpretation of the essential tenets of our faith and would further divide rather than unite our denomination.
As faithful believers in the reformed tradition, we pray for the unity of the Presbyterian Church USA.
Signed,
The Session
