WHEREAS issues surrounding human sexuality have been contentious for decades within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and

WHEREAS our ordination vows stipulate that we will not take divisive courses of action, and

WHEREAS the actions of the General Assembly of 2019, in sending changes of doctrine and practice through the Barrier Act of the church are very contentious and divisive, as evidenced by the volume of concern raised through the ‘listening’ processes, and

WHEREAS the proposed changes of practice and doctrine (2019 Remits B and C), to the church sent under the Barrier Act contain (inconveniens logicum, Latin) logical inconsistencies,  

THEREFORE, the Session of St. Andrew’s Moncton would humbly Overture that the next General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada would set aside the actions of the 2019 General Assembly in initiating the Barrier Act in the terms that it did, in order to find a way forward, under the unifying guidance of the Holy Spirit, that glorifies God and enhances the mission of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, or to do otherwise that General Assembly in its wisdom may deem best.

To the Venerable the General Assembly:

WHEREAS the concepts of mutual accountability, empathetic collegiality, and partnership in ministry are at the heart of Presbyterianism, and these concepts demand integrity – integrity that is lacking unless the elders participating in a presbytery undertake ministry with a common understanding of the gospel for ordination, teaching, gospel witness, and discipline; and

WHEREAS we are a denomination that is deeply divided theologically, as evidenced by:

1. the report from the 2019 General Assembly’s “Special Committee Regarding Implications of Option B (Inclusion)”, which states, “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 by:
2. “Remit B, 2019”, which states, “The Presbyterian Church in Canada holds two parallel definitions of marriage” and “That congregations, sessions, ruling and teaching elders be granted liberty of conscience and action on marriage,” and “Remit C, 2019”, which states, “That congregations and presbyteries may call and ordain as ministers and elect and ordain as ruling elders LGBTQI persons (married or single) with the provision that liberty of conscience and action regarding participation in ordinations, inductions and installations be granted to ministers and ruling elders;” and

WHEREAS being bound in an organizational structure that requires agreement to only one statement of theology has, for many years:

1. detracted from our ability to focus on our ministries,
2. reduced the opportunity for congregations within presbyteries to minister together,
3. greatly diminished our sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, and
4. led to ongoing conflict; and

WHEREAS organizational partitioning into two theologically based synods provides an organizational context for the dual understanding of marriage noted in the remits; partitioning removes ongoing friction that arises when we force our theological views on one another; and partitioning opens the door to ministries released from conflicting beliefs and consequent ministry-harming debates; and

WHEREAS, if General Assembly approves “Remit B, 2019” and Remit C, 2019” without a corresponding, theologically based partitioning, this scenario has been deemed, by legal opinion provided to all presbytery clerks, though not shared with all presbyters, not to provide ministers and congregations with liberty of action on marriage in Canada’s secular courts.  Accordingly, the absence of theologically based partitioning will negate the liberty of conscience and action that “Remit B, 2019” and “Remit C, 2019” seek to provide; and

WHEREAS the lack of theologically based partitioning sends a clear message that today’s “liberty of conscience and action” is a temporary step on a continuing path of our denomination’s eroding beliefs; and

WHEREAS our denomination is at risk of collapse if Biblically orthodox congregations, feeling forced to change their beliefs, opt instead to leave; and

WHEREAS there is precedent for “elective-affinity presbyteries” (among Presbyterians in the United States in the 1830s) enabling those with differing theological convictions and practices to collaborate – maintaining those convictions and practices within respective presbyteries while still functioning within one national General Assembly structure; and

WHEREAS our denomination already permits presbyteries with wide geographic bounds, and with secondary bounds of ethnicity, and language or culture; and

WHEREAS a reorganization of presbyteries is needed because some of our 45 geographic presbyteries are too unpopulated to be able to function effectively and optimally, and such a reorganization is possible because the past year has shown us that much of the business of the courts of the Church can be conducted successfully by videoconference; and

WHEREAS there are some national functions that are independent of theological considerations (e.g., pensions and benefits, Leading with Care, archives, PWS&D relief efforts);

THEREFORE, the Session of Grace, West Hill, Toronto, Ontario, humbly overtures the Venerable, the 2021 General Assembly to:

• authorize the formation of presbyteries along theological lines with accommodating geographic boundaries; and
• immediately authorize and encourage congregational leaders to connect with other congregational leaders of like mind and heart to implement, as an interim measure, presbyteries of care and missional vision, compassion and accountability, for consideration at the next General Assembly; and
• initiate steps to form two national synods, each with total autonomy in their matters of doctrine, ordination, teaching and discipline; and
• confine General Assembly responsibilities, when the two synods gather together, to matters common to both synods; and
• defer enacting “Remit B, 2019” and Remit C, 2019”, if they are adopted, until such time as steps necessary to adopt and fully operationalize theologically based partitions (two national synods) can be implemented;

or to do otherwise as the General Assembly, in its wisdom, deems best.

WHEREAS the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted every community across Canada, has dominated every newscast and has touched every congregation, every family, and every person

WHEREAS the serious matter of drug addiction and the impacts of addiction have gone under reported across Canada and each community,

WHEREAS border closures have impacted the flow of opioids and other drugs, resulting in an increase of drugs on the street that have a variety of unsafe additives resulting in overdose and increased toxicity,

WHEREAS addictions and their harmful impacts have not diminished, but instead have actually increased,

WHEREAS the resources to help those caught in addiction have been impacted by COVID 19, increased risks to their health both with COVID transmission, with support group meetings curtailed, shelters facing additional stress, and families isolated,

WHEREAS rural and remote communities include people with addictions, and their families, and yet lack resources to help, shelter, treat and support those caught in addictions and their families, who face transportation issues, treatment and recovery,

WHEREAS the Church of Jesus Christ has been called and commissioned to care for those in need, those who need healing, those who need encouragement and support as family members,

WHEREAS congregations in rural and remote communities across Canada have a role to play in caring for their community, and have an important opportunity to do so in the COVID 19 crisis and its aftermath,

THEREFORE the Session of Knox Church, Thedford, Ontario, humbly overtures the Presbyterian Church in Canada to create a national working group of rural and remote congregations; such a working committee would offer information, examples and ideas of meaningful responses, encouragement, and possible funding for rural and remote congregations to be active participants in providing help for those caught in addiction and their families; to provide counselling to those caught in addiction and their families in their hometown; and to be able to serve people in their local community in the name of Jesus Christ, with the care, compassion and welcome Jesus calls us to show (Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 25:31-46; James 2:14-17). Whereas this request involves leadership in congregations, it might well be best served by Ministry and Church Vocations, in consultation with Justice Ministries;

Or to do whatever the General Assembly in its wisdom deems best.

To the Venerable, the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada:

WHEREAS, the 144th General Assembly referred the matter of Gracious Dismissal to the Assembly Council (p. 36, 2018 AP); and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council’s terms of reference include the obligation to “assist the General Assembly in making responsible decisions by ensuring that both the Council, and the Assembly, have before them all the information that is needed and that is pertinent to the matter in hand in order to make a wise decision” (p. 5, Assembly Council Terms of Reference Booklet); and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council’s terms of reference also includes the obligation to “provide the broadest possible viewpoint on proposed changes in policy direction” (p. 5, Assembly Council Terms of Reference Booklet); and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council belatedly created the Gracious Dismissal committee in March 2019 (a full 9 months after the meeting of the 144th General Assembly adjourned) thereby failing to engage the Gracious Dismissal issue with the due diligence appropriate to direction from a duly elected General Assembly deserves (pp. 1358, 1360, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, in November 2019, the Assembly Council approved the Gracious Dismissal committee’s terms of reference which included a final report to be presented to the Assembly council in March 2020 (pp. 1360-1361, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, the final report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee was circulated in March 2020 in time for the scheduled March 2020 Assembly Council meeting (p. 1361, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, the March 2020 Assembly Council meeting was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 protocols in place at that time (p. 1361, Assembly Council Minutes); and WHEREAS, the final report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee was not put on the agenda of Assembly Council until October 2020 (p. 1361, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, no response was offered to the Gracious Dismissal Committee’s report from February 2020 until the October 27, 2020 meeting of Assembly Council despite several invitations to do so from the Gracious Dismissal Committee (pp. 1361, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, on October 27, 2020, the Assembly Council decided not to receive the report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee until at least after the General Assembly has dealt with Remits B and C, 2019 (p. 1357, Assembly Council Minutes); and

WHEREAS, the decision to not receive the report from the Gracious Dismissal Committee effectively shuts down the conversation around this important issue; and

WHEREAS, this is in direct violation of Assembly Council’s obligation to “assist the General Assembly in making responsible decisions by ensuring that both the Council, and the Assembly, have before them all the information that is needed and that is pertinent to the matter in hand in order to make a wise decision”; and

WHEREAS, this is also in direct violation of Assembly Council’s obligation to “provide the broadest possible viewpoint on proposed changes in policy direction”; and

WHEREAS, this is also in direct violation of Assembly Council’s obligation to thoughtfully and thoroughly respond to the direction given to it by the 144th General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council has, therefore, been derelict in its duty to follow the directions given to it by the duly elected and constituted 144th General Assembly;

THEREFORE the Presbytery of Essex Kent humbly overtures the 146th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada to receive and to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider the report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee; Or to do otherwise as the General Assembly in its wisdom may deem best.

Background

The following was written by Rev. Andy Cornell. Although the intent of the overture is to restructure the denomination along theological lies, it’s presented theologically neutral. In other words, it’s worded so as to appeal to those who might identify as evangelical/conservative/orthodox/traditional as well as those who identify as inclusive/liberal/progressive/affirming. It does give primacy or legitimacy to either side; it recognizes merely that we do not see eye to eye on matters of theology and mission. Yet we still respect each other and for the good of the Body of Christ, the last thing we need is to waste time in fruitless debate over matters we will never agree. In other words, let’s get on with being the church in the way we believe the Lord is calling us.

NOTE: It was transmitted without comment.

Presbytery of Essex-Kent
Overture to the 146th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada

WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada remains deeply divided over theological lines, as evidenced by Remit B (2019) which proposes a dual definition of marriage, and Remit C (2019) which promises liberty of conscience for those who do not ascribe to some ordinations, inductions and installations; and

WHEREAS each side in this theological division is convinced they are on the correct path and see others as detrimental to the advancement of the Gospel; and

WHEREAS the Holy Scriptures of the New and Old testaments call on believers to be united in belief, fellowship and service (Acts 2:42-47); and

WHEREAS the reformed church is founded on its confessions, notably the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) and Living Faith, which are unequivocal in their decrees; and

WHEREAS Living Faith (7.1.1-2) declares that “The church is Christ together with his people, called both to worship and to serve him in all of life. The church is one. It is one family under God whose purpose it is to unite all people in Jesus Christ”; and

WHEREAS, as evidenced by the aforementioned remits, the PCC consists of

• some members who wish to set aside certain decrees found in the WCF and to substantially amend Living Faith,
• other members who wish to adhere to those confessions without amendment; and

WHEREAS believers must be free to seek and to follow the commands of God without interference from those of different mindset, (WCF 22:2); and

WHEREAS the proposed doctrinal changes will not put an end to the theological disunity in the PCC; and

WHEREAS congregations and presbyteries need to operate under doctrinal standards to which they can fully subscribe; and

WHEREAS the inevitability of an ongoing debate will continue to be a distraction to our mission, undermining our effectiveness as the body of Christ; and

WHEREAS the history of Presbyterianism demonstrates that the church has been organized among courts which hold different theological positions; and

WHEREAS the PCC already has courts formed along non-geographical considerations (Eastern Han-Ca and Western Han-Ca); and

WHEREAS many of the PCC’s existing 45 presbyteries are unable to function according to their essential purpose due to underpopulation or a lack of theological unity;

THEREFORE, The Presbytery of Essex-Kent humbly overtures the Venerable, the one hundred and forty-sixth General Assembly to:

• take steps to form two national synods, each with autonomy in theological and doctrinal issues, discipline, mission and the training of teaching elders;
• enable each synod to form regional presbyteries;
• allow each ruling and teaching elder to choose which synod to which he/she would adhere;
• allow each congregation to choose which synod/presbytery to which it would belong;
• confine to General Assembly only the responsibilities to matters common to both synods, such as employment standards, pensions and benefits.
• or to do otherwise as General Assembly in its wisdom may deem best.

WHEREAS, between 2015-2020 24 Overtures and Petitions have been made to General Assembly requesting, in general, that The Presbyterian Church in Canada permit congregations to leave the denomination with their property at nominal cost to the congregation if the denomination approves either a redefinition of marriage to include same sex couples or the ordination of those leaders who are in a same sex marriage (“Gracious Dismissal”); and

WHEREAS, in response to those Overtures, in 2016 and again in 2018 the Clerks of Assembly presented to General Assembly a response that concluded that there was not a process to permit Gracious Dismissal due to both the polity of the denomination and the statutory restrictions set out in the Act to Incorporate The Trustee Board of The Presbyterian Church in Canada (1939) (“Trustee Board Act”), although the Clerks of Assembly in the 2016 report reminded the denomination of the missional focus of the denomination and that “there will always be room for gracious action, and loving respect on the part of those leaving, those remaining, their presbyteries and the Trustee Board. By God’s grace, we remain brothers and sisters in Christ”; and

WHEREAS, in discussions with the Clerks of Assembly and representatives of the Trustee Board, the Gracious Dismissal Committee of Assembly Council (“Committee”) concluded (contrary to the statements made by the Clerks of Assembly in their 2016 and 2018 reports to General Assembly that formed the basis for the 2016 report’s adopted recommendations) that there was a legally acceptable way to achieve Gracious Dismissal (in the manner set out by the Committee in its report attached hereto as Schedule One (“Gracious Dismissal Report”)) under the denomination’s existing polity and legislation if General Assembly duly approved a Gracious Dismissal process, all without amendments to the Trustee Board Act; and

WHEREAS the Committee concluded that if legislative amendments were ultimately believed to be required to the Trustee Board Act to allow Gracious Dismissal, the recent experience of the United Church of Canada in amending its similarly governing Act of Parliament showed such a legislative change could occur with relatively little expense or time, all as summarized in Appendix B to the Gracious Dismissal Report (and again, contrary to the statements made by the Clerks of Assembly in their 2016 and 2018 reports to General Assembly that formed the basis for their 2016 report’s adopted recommendations); and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council at its meeting in November 2019 agreed that Gracious Dismissal, properly understood, applies to all congregations that in good faith believe they cannot remain in unity with the denomination as a result of the decisions reached by General Assembly regarding the related issues encircling human sexuality, the authority of scripture as it speaks to human sexuality, and the demands of a biblical understanding of justice on the matter of human sexuality, and as such, regardless of the decisions of the General Assembly (if any) regarding those issues and similar decisions at subsequent General Assemblies, Gracious Dismissal can apply equally to both those congregations described by the terms “traditional” and “affirming”; and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council agreed in November 2019 that every congregation in The Presbyterian Church in Canada is acknowledged by all other PCC congregations as a valid witness to

and participant in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ in the world, regardless of that congregation’s position on the issues of human sexuality, the authority of scripture as it speaks to human sexuality, and the demands of a biblical understanding of justice on the matter of human sexuality; and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council agreed in November 2019 that the strength of The Presbyterian Church in Canada is found in its missional pursuit of being a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and not located on its balance sheet- that assets are important tools and gifts offered by God to the denomination generally to help achieve missional goals of congregations, but the aggregation of assets at the expense of missional vitality in congregations should be avoided; and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council agreed in November 2019 that unity of the church does not necessarily require unity of any particular denomination – the origins of our denomination in the Reformation speaking to how unity of the church can be upheld even if organizationally it suffers loss of congregations and people to other entities that continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, the Assembly Council agreed in November 2019 that the goal of examining the possibility of Gracious Dismissal is not to facilitate the departure of congregations with concerns about the denomination but that the goal, perhaps counterintuitively, is to encourage congregations to remain within the denomination, and that the debates about the human sexuality / authority of scripture / justice matters should be based on theology and ecclesiology, not on property, and by providing a clear, neutral answer to the question of Gracious Dismissal as an option, the debates can focus on the issues themselves, without the fear of the practical imposition of results on a congregation feeling threatened with the removal of its sanctuary and other church property; and

WHEREAS, the Committee concluded that Gracious Dismissal should be permitted by the denomination for four reasons, as set forth below

• First, and most obvious, there is no agreement by all in the denomination on the issues surrounding human sexuality, authority of scripture, and the requirements of justice on this matter. Even if a consensus could be reached, those who oppose such a consensus do so from their deepest beliefs and commitments. To require compulsion on such a fundamental issue is both in principle inappropriate and in practice inviting acrimony, recrimination and a national and local preoccupation on divisive issues.
• Second, Gracious Dismissal is applicable to all and not a response to one perspective or theological viewpoint. Regardless how the Remits are addressed at General Assembly, there will be those deeply dissatisfied with the results from those who are both “affirming” and “traditional”. Providing a mechanism to allow a Gracious Dismissal for all encourages a fairness to any process adopted.
• Third, a Gracious Dismissal process upholds materially the structure and principles the Clerks of Assembly set out in their 2018 response to overtures “A Way Forward” (although different to the extent that the Clerks of Assembly believed at the time the denomination’s governing legislation would not allow the transfer of property at less than fair market value).
• Fourth, Gracious Dismissal should not be implemented because of emotional, quick, or theologically suspect reasons. The process proposed emphasizes actions that are ‘decently and in order’:

THEREFORE, the Session of St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, North Vancouver humbly overtures the Venerable, the 146th General Assembly to permit congregations to leave the denomination with their property at nominal cost to the congregation if the denomination approves either a redefinition of marriage to include same sex couples or the ordination of those leaders who are in a same sex marriage (“Gracious Dismissal”), to adopt a process for the implementation of Gracious Dismissal in the manner described in Appendix C to the Gracious Dismissal Report or as modified by General Assembly in its wisdom after due consideration of the details, and to place the matter before and have it considered and fully addressed by the Venerable, the 146th General Assembly prior to addressing Remits B and C, 2019 under the Barrier Act being considered by such General Assembly so that decisions made about the Remits are based on theology and ecclesiology, not on property, or to do otherwise as the General Assembly, in its wisdom, may deem best.

Schedule One: Final Report Of Gracious Dismissal Committee With Appendices