Parnell v. San Francisco

Do Presbyterians Consult the Bible at GA?

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), GAPJC Decisions, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

On my flight to Pittsburgh today, I was recalling memorable moments from previous PCUSA General Assemblies. High points and low points abound, of course, depending on one’s point of view. But one particular moment stands out as a commentary on our modus operandi. I was meeting in a hospitality suite with fellow evangelical/conservatives on Monday of the Assembly, probably at lunchtime. On the schedule, this would be in the middle of committee deliberations, so the commissioners are getting to know their fellow committee members, learning how to conduct business, and otherwise sinking in to the deep pile of work before […]

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What the GAPJC Decision Means for the Presbyterian Church

18 Comments / GAPJC Decisions, Moral Authority, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA, Sermon on the Mount / By /

As the dust settles and the reality of the GAPJC’s decision in Parnell et al v. San Francisco Presbytery sinks in across the church, evangelical/conservatives have entered a period of mourning for a series of losses that will change the shape of the denomination quickly. 1. There is no distinctive feature of “the Reformed faith” other than a diversity of opinions about what the Scriptures mean for everyday life, most particularly for the belief and conduct of its officers. The designation “essentials of the Reformed faith” no longer has real, defining meaning for Presbyterians today, and therefore reference to essentials

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GAPJC Rules: Believe As You Will—We Won’t Stop You

27 Comments / GAPJC Decisions, Moral Authority, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) released its Decision and Order this morning, agreeing on all counts with the Synod of the Pacific PJC (SPJC) to affirm San Francisco Presbytery’s approval of Lisa Larges’ ordination. “The Presbytery properly exercised its prerogative in determining that the Candidate did not depart from the essentials of Reformed faith and polity.” The Commission did not sustain any of the eight specifications of error put forward by the Appellants, comprising seven elders and one church session within San Francisco Presbytery. The decision puts to rest all procedural questions related to the ordination of committed

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Closing Argument for Appellants in Parnell Case

10 Comments / GAPJC Decisions, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

Closing Argument before the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Meeting in Indianapolis on April 27, 2012 Mary Holder Naegeli for the Appellants [Following a few remarks in rebuttal of the Presbytery’s argument . . .] When a person has been at this process for over four years, as we have, it is worth answering the question, “Why does this matter so much?” I know the outcome of the Commission’s deliberations will matter to the candidate, who has waited long enough for a definitive answer, and to San Francisco Presbytery, which desires to be affirmed in a position

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Opening Argument for Appellants in Parnell Case

1 Comment / GAPJC Decisions, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

Opening Arguments before the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Meeting in Indianapolis on April 27, 2012 First Presentation: Bruce McIntosh for the Appellants May it please the Lord: I will take a few moments to address why it is this Commission’s obligation to correct the errors of the lower councils.  Later, Dr. Naegeli will discuss how we as a church live into being obedient to God’s commands in the area of human sexuality. Let me remind us where we are in this process. Recall that this commission remanded the case to the Synod because it failed in

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Report on GAPJC Proceedings

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Yesterday (Friday) my legal colleague Bruce McIntosh and I argued before the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) at 3 p.m. EDT in Indianapolis, IN. It was, we assume, the last appeal in the matter of Parnell et al v. San Francisco Presbytery, over the Presbytery’s approval of Lisa Larges’ ordination examination in the fall of 2009. (Yes, the wheels turn slowly in our system.) Fourteen GAPJC members heard the case. The Presbytery was represented by Mr. Doug Nave, an attorney who seems to represent “the other side” in many of these cases as they come up. This is our

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What Did 10-A Do, Really?

10 Comments / GAPJC Decisions, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

 In instances too numerous to mention, Presbyterians have claimed that the passage of Amendment 10-A last summer opened the door to the ordination of practicing LGBT people. But is this what 10-A did, really? Read it for yourself: Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (F-1.02). The council responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.2.0402; G-2.0607; G-3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s

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The Importance of Being Earnest

5 Comments / GAPJC Decisions, Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

  The last of the PCUSA’s “historic principles of church order” points to the importance of discipline within the church: F-3.0108 The Value of Ecclesiastical Discipline Lastly, that if the preceding scriptural and rational principles be steadfastly adhered to, the vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great

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The MCC Report: What Limits to Our Freedom?

1 Comment / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), MCC Report, New Form of Government (nFOG), Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA, The Missional Church / By /

Over the last week, I have been reviewing elements and concepts embedded in the recommendations and rationale of the Commission on Mid-Councils Report. As a conversation starter, the Report is excellent and the Commission is to be commended for the thoroughness of its process and product. Not every topic therein has been addressed here. Upon reflection, some sections of the Report do not ring as true or indispensible to me as others. And there is still a matter of interpreting one particular sentence, the seventh of eight “guiding principles.” found on page 81. My inquiry of the MCC moderator as

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Has the PCUSA Ever Had Moral Authority?

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, GAPJC Decisions, Marriage Definition, Moral Authority, New Form of Government (nFOG), Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

“Dr. Mike” commented this week: “Your article implies that the embattled PC(USA) actually had moral authority at some time in their history? When was this? As I look at its history, the PC(USA) has never had unity or harmony. Seems to me its entire history has been marked with one compromise with the world after another.” This question raises the issue of how one would perceive and measure the moral authority of a church. If a church is not experiencing unity or harmony, does that automatically mean that the church has lost its moral authority? Dr. Mike is quite right

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