Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted Thursday to remove the barrier keeping non-celibate gays out of the ministry but stopped short of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples.
Currently the denomination requires clergy and other ordained leaders to either be married or remain celibate. That rule remains in effect until the denomination’s 173 regional presbyteries ratify the assembly’s decision.
At least one local critic of the clergy decision says that’s unlikely to happen.
“It has gone to the presbyteries three other times,” said the Rev. Harry Hassall, a retired minister from Brentwood. “Every time it has been defeated.”
Read the whole article.
The Tennessean: Presbyterian leaders split on non-celibate Same-Sex Unions
Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted Thursday to remove the barrier keeping non-celibate gays out of the ministry but stopped short of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples.
Currently the denomination requires clergy and other ordained leaders to either be married or remain celibate. That rule remains in effect until the denomination’s 173 regional presbyteries ratify the assembly’s decision.
At least one local critic of the clergy decision says that’s unlikely to happen.
“It has gone to the presbyteries three other times,” said the Rev. Harry Hassall, a retired minister from Brentwood. “Every time it has been defeated.”
Read the whole article.