THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) APPROVED REDEFINING MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH CONSTITUTION TUESDAY TO INCLUDE A “COMMITMENT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE,” BECOMING THE LARGEST PROTESTANT GROUP TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE GAY MARRIAGE AS CHRISTIAN AND ALLOW SAME-SEX WEDDINGS IN EVERY CONGREGATION.
Let no man
deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of
sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2
Thessalonians 2:3 DRV
The new definition was endorsed last year by the church General Assembly, or top legislative body, but required approval from a majority of the denomination’s 171 regional districts, or presbyteries. The critical 86th “yes” vote came Tuesday night from the Presbytery of the Palisades in New Jersey.
After all regional bodies vote and top Presbyterian leaders officially accept the results, the change will take effect June 21. The denomination has nearly 1.8 million members and about 10,000 congregations.
“So many families headed by LGBTQ couples have been waiting for decades to enter this space created for their families within their church communities,” said the Rev. Robin White, a leader of More Light Presbyterians, which advocates for gay acceptance within the church.
So far, 41 presbyteries have rejected the redefinition, which includes a provision that no clergy would be compelled to preside at a gay marriage or host such a ceremony on church property. The vote in one presbytery was tied, according to a tally by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a pro-gay group that works to keep Presbyterians united despite theological differences. source
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