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Written by The Presbyterian Outlook
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Sunday, 05 September 2010 17:25 |
NASHVILLE — Facing competing overtures, the 38th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, meeting here June 29-July 2, continued its prohibition of the ordination of women to all offices of the church.
The 978 Teaching Elders and 333 Ruling Elders rejected overtures that would have made present restrictions on women’s ordination as deacons either more or less stringent. Instead, the Assembly adopted a provision clarifying that while some men and women may be appointed to assist in diaconal mercy ministries, “These assistants to the deacons are not officers of the church (BCO 7-2) and, as such, are not subjects for ordination (BCO 17).”
The GA also approved a rule that requires local congregations to provide financial support to the denomination’s Administrative Committee, or they will lose their voice and vote in subsequent meetings of the GA. The denomination’s GA report explains, “In adopting the proposal, the PCA, as a connectional Church, would be moving away from ‘representation without contribution.’”
Both constitutional changes require ratification by the presbyteries in the PCA, voting through the next year.
— Jack Haberer
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