St. Andrew’s Moncton Overture re: Restructuring Along Theological Lines

WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada has debated human sexuality for several decades, and

WHEREAS the debate is a distraction to our mission, undermining our effectiveness, and

WHEREAS the issues pertaining to human sexuality are symptomatic of deeper theological issues, and

WHEREAS the theological divide is evidenced in the report from the 2019 General Assembly’s “Special Committee Regarding Implications of Option B (Inclusion)” which read in part, “In truth we differ theologically on many things; the role of scripture, the virgin birth, the resurrection, the place of children, of women and the priorities of the church…,” and

WHEREAS deviation from a traditional interpretation of scripture regarding marriage and the ordination practices of the church separates the PCC from the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and the majority of churches around the world, and

WHEREAS Remits B and C (GA 2019) are in and of themselves divisive, and

WHEREAS the activism of some on behalf of the LGBTQI community creates a working environment prone to conflict, and

WHEREAS there is a deep love and devotion to the PCC and its system of governance and traditional theology with many in the denomination, and

WHEREAS our system of governance cannot function without a common basis of authority, and

WHEREAS regardless of how Remits B and C (GA 2019) are dealt with, there remains an unbridgeable chasm of difference within the denomination disrupting unity within the PCC,

THEREFORE the Session of St. Andrew’s Moncton humbly Overtures the 146th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada to restructure the denomination along two theological lines, one theologically autonomous Synod each along traditional and revisionist lines, with General Assembly and national offices activities being limited to human resource matters such as pension, health and dental; mission and relief activities; and other mutually agreed upon activities and interests; allowing each Session to choose which Synod their congregation would affiliate with; or to do otherwise as the General Assembly in its wisdom may deem best.

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