Today, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) discussed two different ways to expand the 2 million member denomination’s understanding of marriage to include committed same-sex couples. While neither option ultimately collected the majority of votes needed to begin the ratification process, this discussion marked another step towards making the Presbyterian Church (USA) a truly inclusive church.
“While it is disappointing that the Church missed this historic opportunity to move toward full inclusion, the fact that so many Presbyterians from around the country called for the Church to recognize love between committed same-gender couples was awe-inspiring to see.” said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians. “We have more work to do to show those who oppose full inclusion how truly wonderful the gifts that committed, married same-sex couples bring to our church. We’re inspired by the progress we’ve made together and are just as committed to continuing this work, together.”
Way too early to celebrate a 30-some vote margin out of some 630 votes to reject same-sex marriage, for now. The reasserters see a victory for God’s truth, the reappraisers (just as they did in TEC) see incremental progress toward their goal with victory in sight. All they need do is continue to flout and disobey their book of order or discipline and erode, erode, erode until reasserters tire of the struggle. The Great Apostasy continues apace.