When the vote tally was shown on the screens throughout the plenary hall, there was an audible gasp. I think what many were surprised by was how close the vote was. Many were expecting the final vote to have a greater margin than 53%-46%.
As things stand now, there isn't enough support in the pews of the churches in presbyteries in the PC(USA) to overturn the language in the Book of Order. The progressives know this, know how disruptive and damaging this is to evangelical congregations, and yet this is now forced upon our presbyteries for vote once again.
Going into this General Assembly, most people including myself said we would have been very surprised if General Assembly didn't vote to change the ordination standards. The voting trends have been moving this way for several GA's.
Even though I expected the GA to vote this way when the GA actually voted 373-323-4 to change ordination stand, it felt like I was punched in the stomach and all the air went out of my system.
God is still at work. We will continue to work to make sure that our presbyteries do not approve this decision of the General Assembly.
That is what we will do for now, but in the long term, now is the time for evangelicals to engage our presbyteries and our general assemblies so that our leadership and our voices are heard.
Tonight, the General Assembly will be voting on the report of the committee on Civil Unions and Biblical Understanding of Marriage.
Prayers are appreciated.
No comments:
Post a Comment