Print 
PDFThe message of the petition says in part, "I grieve over the apparent departure of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from these Scriptural truths, and I am estranged from its policies and programs that do not affirm Christ alone, Scripture alone and the institution of marriage alone, as the divinely ordained context for human sexuality..."
The Committee has run these ads in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Houston Chronicle.
Ironically, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that promotes itself as a "voice for tolerance" and claims in its promotions that it sees "The First Amendment as its guiding light and tolerance as its North Star," said "No," we won't run your ad---unless you modify it. The modification would have eliminated their message. I have linked the story above.
Tolerance in its finest moment.
Presbyterians (USA) have reason to be concerned about the direction of their church denomination. A study last January found that only 1 in 3 Presbyterians (USA) believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. There were other findings. I have linked the story for your convenience.
Many Presbyterian and other churches are going through a time of discovery as to whom they really are and what they really believe.
I have included a list of Presbyterian and other churches in Washington State who consider themselves "Gay Affirming," meaning the church affirms or celebrates homosexual behavior rather than presenting it as in violation of Scriptural teaching---sin.
I have also included a statement from First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
The following is part of a statement published by Dr. Scott Dudley, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue.
The Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) has voted, by a slim margin, to change the wording of ordination standards by removing specific language requiring fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness for those ordained as pastor, elder or deacon. This change is known as Amendment 10-A and is being wrongly interpreted and reported by some as allowing non-celibate gays and lesbians into ordained church leadership.
The passage of Amendment 10-A will not change anything at FPCB or any of the presbyteries in the state of Washington. We strongly oppose this amendment. Our congregation, our presbytery, and all five presbyteries in Washington state rejected Amendment 10-A and similar previous efforts. And nothing in 10-A requires us to change our local church practices. Instead, we continue to affirm the following: Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which scripture and the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
I have linked the entire statement here.
This is a link to the list of churches in Washington State that declare themselves to be "Gay Affirming" churches. I defined a "gay affirming" church above.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Prayerful.
_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
Click here to add these blogs to your email inbox.