The PCC is facing an historic decision. In an effort to find a solution to decades of disagreement over the response to same-sex attraction, the denomination’s 45 presbyteries are being asked to approve parallel definitions of marriage.
Each presbytery will be asked to say yes or no to the remits. If at least 23 presbyteries vote in favour and the aggregate number of members of those 23 courts represent at least half of the total number of presbyters in the denomination, then the matter goes to the 2020 General Assembly for approval.
So how did we get to this place?
GA 2018: Commissioners were asked by the Committee on Church Doctrine to uphold the traditional definition of marriage. Before the debate could begin, commissioners approved a motion to appoint a special committee consisting of the previous 15 moderators of GA to “propose a way ahead that allows the mission and ministry of the PCC to continue.
May 21: The special committee’s report was released two weeks prior to GA. It recommended four possible pathways: current practice (A), inclusion (B), a reorganization into three streams (C), and no change in doctrine but allowing freedom to conduct same-sex marriage (D).
June 4: On the Tuesday of GA, commissioners moved into committee of the whole in order to allow freer discussion. The report was presented, questions asked, discussion and debate shared and the four pathways ranked by secret ballot. Commissioners chose ‘B’, which would have required all new clergy to adhere to the new doctrine but allow liberty of conscience and action for clergy already ordained. Assembly was reconvened in order to formally endorse the choice. An amendment to replace ‘B’ with ‘C’ failed with 87 commissioners in favour and 129 against. In the end, ‘B’ was accepted by a vote of 126-91. A special implications committee was struck to produce the exact working of the recommendations (remits) to go to presbyteries.
June 5: Assembly was jolted by the news that a total of 11 commissioners representing both Han Ca (Korean-speaking) presbyteries asked for permission to withdraw from the assembly. After an emotional discussion, commissioners voted to accept “with regret” their requests to leave and extended an invitation for them to return. Most of the commissioners returned for the evening sederunt. The moderator invited a special time of discussion, allowing commissioners 90 seconds each to share their thoughts with the court. The implications committee then delivered its report, surprising many by recommending that liberty of conscience and action only extend until Sept. 1, 2022. Several groups of commissioners (liberal and traditional-minded) immediately began drafting amendments to tone down or remove the deadline.
June 6: An amendment written by a group of young ministers representing a range of theological perspectives proposed two parallel definitions. It was designed to avoid what could have resulted in a significant exodus of ministers, elders and congregations who could not affirm the new doctrine. The compromise was not well received by many affirmers or by some traditionalists, but enough commissioners agreed.