Over the last almost two years many conversations in our denomination – Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – have been dominated by discussion of what is known as “Amendment 10-A” – a constitutional amendment approved by the General Assembly of our denomination in July of 2010, in-turn approved by a majority of our presbyteries, and now section G-2.0104b in our Book of Order.  Throughout this time and process I have been struck by the number of people who have entered into these discussions having never read – by their own admission – the actual language of the amendment, but relying solely on what they assumed it stated or what others – including publications and press releases – had told them about what it said.

The remainder of the posts on this blog this week – one each day – will be dedicated to a prayerful and thoughtful conversation about this section of our Book of Order.  Today we begin with only the actual wording of this section:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.  The council responsible for ordination and/or installation 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 ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation.  Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying stardards to individual candidates.

Tomorrow’s post will consider the implications of the section that follows this section G-2.0105 Freedom of Conscience.

I hope you will join the conversation!

Grace and peace