'Gay Marriage' is Christian in Presbyterian PCUSA

By a 3-to-1 margin, leaders of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. now believe that their clergy should sanction what God Almighty has declared, for eternity past and future, an abomination in His eyes.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. . . . It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
James 3:1 & Luke 17:2 (ESV)

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

New York Methodist Bishop Allows Same-sex Marriages

Liberal 'Church' Sues North Carolina to Overturn God's Decree

Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture

President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy

-- From "Presbyterian Assembly: Gay Marriage Is Christian" by Jeff Karoub and Rachel Zoll, Associated Press 6/19/14

The amendment [that marriage can be the union of "two people," not just "a man and a woman"] approved Thursday by the Presbyterian General Assembly requires approval from a majority of the 172 regional presbyteries, which will vote on the change over the next year. But in a separate policy change that takes effect at the end of this week's meeting, delegates voted to allow ministers to preside at gay weddings in states where the unions are legal and local congregational leaders approve. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage.

The votes, during a national meeting in Detroit, were a sweeping victory for Presbyterian gay-rights advocates. The denomination in 2011 eliminated barriers to ordaining clergy with same-sex partners, but ministers were still barred from celebrating gay marriages and risked church penalties for doing so. Alex McNeill, executive director of More Light Presbyterians, a gay advocacy group, said the amendment was "an answer to many prayers."

But Bill Norton, of the Presbytery de Cristo, which covers parts of Arizona and New Mexico, urged the assembly to delay any changes. "We are laying hands on something that is holy, that God has given us, so we need to be sure any changes we make are in accord with God's will revealed in Scripture," Norton said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterians vote to allow gay marriage by whopping 3-1 ratio" by Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service - Washington Post 6/19/14

The Presbyterian Lay Committee, which opposes gay marriage, urged congregations to launch a financial boycott out of protest.

“The Presbyterian Lay Committee mourns these actions and calls on all Presbyterians to resist and protest them,” the group said in a statement. “ . You should refuse to fund the General Assembly, your synod, your presbytery and even your local church if those bodies have not explicitly and publicly repudiated these unbiblical actions.”

“God will not be mocked,” the statement continued, “and those who substitute their own felt desires for God’s unchangeable Truth will not be found guiltless before a holy God.”

. . . the General Assembly’s vote stands out as a church adapting its policy to fit a rapidly shifting culture even as most other Christian denominations have resisted.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterians Vote to Allow Same-Sex Marriages" by Laurie Goodstein, New York Times 6/19/14

The Presbyterian Church, a historic mainline Protestant denomination that spans a broad spectrum from liberal to conservative evangelicals, has been mired in the debate over homosexuality for about three decades. The General Assembly’s decision in 2010 to ordain openly gay ministers caused many congregations, including some of the largest, to depart.

About 350 of the denomination’s congregations have left since 2010, when the General Assembly voted to ordain openly gay clergy members, said the Rev. Gradye Parsons, the church’s stated clerk, in an interview. But it is still the nation’s largest Presbyterian denomination, with 10,038 churches in 2013 and about 1.8 million members.

Heath Rada, the newly elected moderator of the church, said at a news conference that he thought the measures passed because many Presbyterians were simply tired of having themselves and their church defined by the controversy over homosexuality.

The Presbyterians follow other religious groups that have taken similar steps, including the United Church of Christ, which affirmed “equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender” in 2005; Quakers; the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations; and the Reform and Conservative movements in Judaism.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian Church USA votes to allow gay marriage ceremonies" by Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer 6/19/14

Presbyterians number about 1.8 million but have an influence beyond their numbers. Eight U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower, were Presbyterians, the second-most-popular denomination among presidents.

. . . conservatives are concerned the move could divide the church and lead to further membership declines. Since 1992, Presbyterian Church USA has lost more than a million members, declining 37% from 2.78 million to 1.76 million last year. Some conservative congregations have broken away, and more could leave after Thursday’s vote.

A Presbyterian man from Pennsylvania said people who are backing gay marriage are acting as “agents of the state,” not as “ambassadors of Christ.”

LGBT advocates said they were amazed by the high percentage who voted for both proposals. Two years ago, at the last Presbyterian gathering in Pittsburgh, a proposal to allow same-sex marriage was defeated 52%-48%. Since then, the cultural landscape has changed, with 19 states now allowing same-gender marriage.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Presbyterians Delete God's Character from Hymnal

United Church of Christ Eliminates 'Heavenly Father'

UCC Supervisor Bans Jesus & Bible from VA Chaplains

Drop Morals for Catholic School Teachers, Say Parents

Notre Dame Rejects Students for Natural Marriage

Church is About Friendships, NOT God: Study

Methodists Team Up with Atheists for Bible Study

Liberal Clergy to Obama: U.S. Must Pay for Abortions

CBS News Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates

Also read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty

And read American Decline: Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians as well as America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions

Presbyterians Delete God's Character from Hymnal

PCUSA chooses against "In Christ Alone"

The Presbyterian Church USA decided a popular hymn citing the "wrath of God was satisfied" is not consistent with its theology.

“I don’t see this as an isolated case. It fits into a wider pattern of downplaying parts of Christian doctrine that are offensive.”
-- Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL

“Hide not the offense of the cross, lest you make it of none effect.”
-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

For background, read Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither and also read Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture

-- From "Presbyterians' decision to drop song from hymnal stirs debate" by Bob Smietana, The Tennessean 8/4/13

The original ["In Christ Alone"] lyrics say that “on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song wanted to substitute the words, “the love of God was magnified.”

The song’s authors, Stuart Townend and Nashville resident Keith Getty, objected. So the committee voted to drop the song.

Debate over “In Christ Alone” is a mix of church politics, the touchy subject of updating hymn lyrics and rival views of what Jesus’ death on the cross meant.

“People think that we’ve taken the wrath of God out of the hymnal,” Bringle said. “That’s not the case. It’s all over the hymnal. The issue was the word ‘satisfied.’ ”

But the Rev. Scott Sauls, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, disagrees. He said the word “satisfied” means that Jesus paid the whole price for sins.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "God's wrath taboo subject for PCUSA hymnal" by Laura Erlanson/staff, Baptist Press 7/31/13

The committee decided "it would do a disservice to this educational mission [of the new hymnal] to perpetuate ... the view that the cross is primarily about God's need to assuage God's anger," Bringle wrote.

Boyce College professor Denny Burk was not surprised.

"Although not all PCUSA churches are theologically liberal, the denomination by and large is," Burk wrote on his blog, dennyburk.com. "Liberalism and wrath go together like oil and water; they don't mix. And historically speaking, one of them eventually has to go. When wrath goes, so does the central meaning of the atonement of Christ -- penal substitution. At the end of the day, the cross itself is the stumbling block, and that is why the PCUSA cannot abide this hymn."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "PC(USA) Removes 'In Christ Alone' From Hymnal Because of Line About God's Wrath; Exclusion is Theological Blunder, Says Lay Committee President" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Reporter 8/2/13

Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, told The Christian Post on Friday that the Congregational Songs Committee's decision is evidence of why churches are leaving the PC (USA).

According to LaBerge, when Christians strip away the acceptance of the full nature and character of God, because there are parts that they don't like, believers "fall into a very real and very dangerous spiritual trap of creating a religion for ourselves – a God of our own making."

The denomination's unwillingness to accept God's wrath, as a response to human sin, exemplifies where the PC (USA) stands, theologically, "on the veracity of the scriptures and the necessity of the act of Christ on the cross for the atonement for sin," she added.

LaBerge told CP that the last time the denomination adopted a new hymnal, the revisions that were made focused on inclusive language and the removal of militaristic hymns, such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read CBS Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates

Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture

As same-sex "marriage" is legalized in very limited areas of America, leaders of "churches" that have abandoned scriptural authority pursue a variety of avenues to incorporate sexual deviancy.

For background, read Episcopalians Go Gay, Some Go Catholic and also read Presbyterians Vote Yea on Gay 'Clergy' as well as Methodists Ignore Own Rules re: Lesbian Pastor

-- From "Churches debate whether to marry gays" by Rachel Zoll, Associated Press Religion Writer 7/16/11

The decision is especially complex in the mainline Protestant denominations that have yet to fully resolve their disagreements over the Bible and homosexuality. Many have taken steps toward acceptance of gay ordination and same-gender couples without changing the official definition of marriage in church constitutions and canons. With the exception of the United Church of Christ, which approved gay marriage six years ago, none of the larger mainline churches has a national liturgy for same-sex weddings or even blessing ceremonies.

Just last Sunday, the Presbyterian Church formally lifted barriers to ordination for gays and lesbians who are not celibate, although individual congregations had been hiring gay pastors and conducting same-sex blessing ceremonies for years. . . .

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America formally abolished a celibacy requirement for gay and lesbian clergy more than a year ago, but still defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

The Episcopal Church blazed a trail, and enraged fellow Anglicans worldwide, in 2003 by consecrating the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. . . . Episcopalians are drafting prayers for blessing same-gender couples that advocates hope will be accepted next year by the General Convention.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Also read Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither

UPDATE 7/28/15: Gay Agenda Destroys Everything it Contacts

Repeal Marriage & Family: Obama's Religious Left

Rev. Nancy Wilson, a member of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) should be repealed and Congress should pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

For background, read Rep. Barney Frank's Gay Agenda Outline



-- From "Faith leaders lobby Congress for LGBT equality" posted at San Diego Gay & Lesbian News 5/25/11

Hundreds of faith leaders from all 50 states, including the largest number ever of heads of [liberal] Christian denominations and inter-faith religious leaders, lobbied members of Congress on Tuesday.

The faith leaders were part of the [homosexualists'] Human Rights Campaign's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality 2011 to support legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, to ban employment discrimination against LGBT people and protect students from discrimination and bullying.

The faith leaders represent millions of members and include dignitaries from the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reform Judaism, United Methodist Church, and the Metropolitan Community Churches. Participants come from dozens of faith traditions and the invocation was given by Buddhists from Hawaii.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama Faith-Based Adviser: Same-Sex Marriages Count" by Nicholas Ballasy, CNSNews.com 5/25/11

“We come to our nation’s capital to tell our elected officials that our marriages count and that DOMA should be repealed. My marriage of 33 years -- made legal in Massachusetts in 2004 -- is not protected in my state of Florida,” said [Rev. Nancy] Wilson, the moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches during a press conference on Tuesday for the Human Rights Campaign’s "Clergy Call for Justice and Equality 2011” on Capitol Hill.

Rabbi David Saperstein, the director and counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and a member of the White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, echoed Wilson’s comments.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Presbyterians Vote Yea on Gay 'Clergy'

After decades of debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Tuesday struck down a barrier to ordaining gays, ratifying a proposal that removes the celibacy requirement for unmarried clergy, in the latest mainline Protestant move toward accepting gay relationships.

For background, read Gay 'Clergy' in Withering Presbyterian PCUSA

-- From "Presbyterians clear way for gay clergy" by Rachel Zoll, Associated Press Religion Writer 5/10/11

The change was endorsed last year by the Presbyterian national assembly, but required approval by a majority of the denomination's 173 presbyteries, or regional church bodies.

The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., cast the deciding 87th vote Tuesday night. Sixty-two presbyteries have voted against the measure and balloting will continue, but the majority needed for ratification was secured in Minnesota.

Differences over the Bible and homosexuality have split Protestant groups nationally and worldwide for years. Within the Presbyterian Church, about 100 of the 11,000 congregations had already broken away ahead of the vote, but a group of large theologically conservative congregations, which calls itself Fellowship, has decided to remain in the denomination for now.

The much smaller Presbyterian Church in America, a separate denomination, bars ordination for women and openly gay clergy candidates.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterians clear way for ordaining gays, lesbians" by Peter Smith, Louisville Courier-Journal 5/10/11

Non-celibate gays and lesbians will become eligible for ordination in the Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) following ratification of a constitutional amendment that reverses decades of official policy.

But the Presbyterians for Renewal, a Louisville-based coalition of evangelical churches, lamented “this unfaithful action” in a statement.

“In a lot of presbyteries, evangelical folks didn’t show up in enough numbers that it swung some votes,” added its executive director, the Rev. Paul Detterman. “People really are just weary of this debate.…How opposing sides can work together without compromising their core identities under the same denominational canopy is the question of the day.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian Church Votes To Allow Openly Gay And Lesbian Clergy" by Jaweed Kaleem, Huffington Post 5/10/11

The move reflects a monumental shift in the 2.8 million-member church, which, along with other mainline Protestant denominations, has had increasingly contentious debates and struggles over issues pertaining to gay and lesbian members.

As with other denominations that have allowed gay clergy, most notably Episcopalians, disapproving congregations will likely leave the church. According to the Presbyterian News Service, around 100 congregations have defected in recent years, many of which leaned conservative. Experts say the shift toward more liberal presbyteries could be a reason some church bodies switched their votes from two years ago.

The old text of the church’s Book of Order did not refer specifically to gay clergy, but banned non-celibate clergy who did not live "within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman." That amendment was added in 1997.

The new, revised amendment also does not mention gay clergy, but it removes a requirement of chastity for non-married clergy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterians Will Allow Gay Clergy - Could Prompt Schism" by Lindsay Watts, KRDO NewsChannel TV-13 (Colorado Springs) 5/10/11

Rev. Jim Singleton, senior pastor of of the First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs called the decision "disappointing."

"I think it will be a messy year as (churches) decide how to respond," said Singleton.

Singleton is one of the founding members of the Presbyterian Global Fellowship, a group he described as seeking to unite like-minded churches that share a common view of scripture.

"We're in discussions now, but haven't crafted exactly how we're going to respond yet," he said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian vote paves way for openly gay pastors to be ordained" by John Brewer, Twin Cities Pioneer Press 5/10/11

. . . Rev. David Van Dyke, pastor at House of Hope Presbyterian Church on St. Paul's Summit Avenue . . . said the vote doesn't mean that openly gay church members will be scrambling to serve as ministers, elders and deacons, but that congregations will now be allowed to let them serve.

"The reality is that churches that right now would never consider ordaining an openly gay elder or deacon don't have to do it," Van Dyke said. "It is not a mandate."

At Hope Church in Richfield, Pastor David Lenz said his congregation wouldn't change how it approaches the ordination of church officers because of the vote.

"This is our process - votes are taken and the majority wins. We can express our disappointment," Lenz said. "We believe the Bible reveals a different plan around this area of human sexuality."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian Church to ordain gays as ministers" by Andrew Stern, Reuters 5/10/11

Other mainline Protestant denominations in the United States to drop their prohibitions on gay clergy are the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church. The move by The Episcopal Church has opened rifts in the American church and in the larger Anglican Communion to which it belongs.

The United Methodist Church, a mainline Protestant denomination, continues to wrestle over the issue. The United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church broke new ground in the mid-1950s when both faiths approved the ordination of women.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither as well as Methodists Wonder Why Members Leave in Droves

Pagans, Liberal 'christians' Celebrate Earth on Good Friday

With today's convergence of the Christian recognition of Good Friday, and the modern pagan celebration of Earth Day, the divergence of reverence could not be more distinct: Those who worship the Creator, and those who worship the creation.

For background, read Evangelicals Warn of Cult of Environmentalism and also read Environmentalist 'christians' Say Man Controls Nature, Not God

-- From "Good Friday and Earth Day: Freedom and Slavery" by Anthony J. Sadar and Susan T. Cammarata, American Thinker 4/22/11

The two occasions could not be more dissimilar.

The message and acts of Jesus focused on people. And, in addition to love and grace, freedom was one of his main evangels. This freedom was from all ungodly yokes, which includes the sacrosanct norms and standards of today's progressive environmentalism.

While familiarity with the structure and strictures of world religions is quite common, familiarity with environmentalism as religion is not as common. Progressive environmentalism from its modern inception in 1962 with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring quickly emerged as a kind of faith that rivals the traditional religions of the world. It has all the trappings of a religion including a god (Mother Earth or Gaia); holy writs (Silent Spring, The Population Bomb); mantras ("Love your Mother," "Save the Planet"); doctrines (capitalism and industrialization are evil; socialism and eating low on the food chain are righteous); dead saints (John Muir, Rachel Carson); and, of course, holidays. Besides Earth Day, there is the U.N. sponsored World Environment Day on June 5 and World Ozone Day on September 5, among others.

No sensible, caring person denies that good stewardship is required for the wise use of natural resources and arable lands. However, what has arisen with progressive environmentalism is a careless denial of the sensible.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christians reflect on Good Friday/Earth Day concurrence" by ENInews, postd at The Christian Century 4/21/11

[Liberal "christian" Earth Day] Proponents say that planting trees and meditating on ways humanity has wounded the earth can parallel devotions that mark Jesus' sacrifice, but opponents say that a political message, even a pagan one, is being pushed onto sacred territory.

"This year's Earth Day falls on Good Friday. This is a right and appropriate occasion to remember the cross, which was made out of trees, leads us from bondage to liberation, death to life," said the National Council of Churches in India, which groups 30 Orthodox and Protestant churches.

Earth Day has been observed on 22 April since 1970 and is considered one of the seminal events in the modern environmental movement; Good Friday is on a different date each year since it moves according to the observance of Easter.

In the U.S., the Episcopal Church, based in New York, has compiled resources for incorporating earth-care themes into services and celebrations, according to Episcopal News Service.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Episcopal Church: This Good Friday, let’s celebrate Earth Day" by Chris Moody, The Daily Caller 4/7/11

Two of the world’s holiest religious holidays are set to fall on April 22 this year — Good Friday for Christians and Earth Day for environmentalists — and some religious leaders are preparing their flocks to celebrate both.

The Episcopal Church’s office of Economic and Environmental Affairs released a statement urging followers to stay mindful of global warming, recycling and reducing carbon dioxide emissions while celebrating the ancient Christian holiday in 2011.

The church set up a website for the celebration of Earth Day, complete with links to resources on how to best get involved on the extra special day.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Abilene faithful, others discuss Good Friday, Earth Day convergence" by Brian Bethel, Abilene Reporter-News (Texas) 4/21/11

"This year Earth Day falls within Holy Week, specifically on Good Friday, a profound coincidence," said Mike Schut, the economic and environmental affairs officer of the Episcopal Church, in a statement.

To "fully honor Earth Day," he said, Christians must reclaim the theology that "knows Earth is very good."

"On Good Friday, the day we mark the crucifixion of Christ, God in the flesh, might we suggest that when Earth is degraded, when species go extinct, that another part of God's body experiences yet another sort of crucifixion — that another way of seeing and experiencing God is diminished?" Schut said.

"Good Friday is indeed Earth Day, for we of faith realize anew ... the cost of God loving this world," said Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Good Friday: Google Celebrates Earth, Ignores Jesus" by Erin R. Brown, Culture and Media Institute 4/22/11

For nearly 2,000 years, Christians and Catholics around the world have celebrated the day Jesus Christ died upon the cross at Calvary for the sins of the world - but by looking at Google, you wouldn't know that today is that day. Google's homepage, famous for its ever changing logo to reflect important holidays, accomplishments and achievements, is not displaying any acknowledgement of the Christian holiday known as 'Good Friday.'

The company has instead decided to portray its logo hidden in a lush animated garden to commemorate 'Earth Day.' Earth Day, while internationally recognized as a day for the eco-friendly and environmentally conscious, was concocted 41 years ago, born out of the anti-war hippy movement and spawned in part by Rachel Carson's book, 'Silent Spring.'

The Culture and Media Institute found that 65 percent of stories that discussed 'Easter' among network evening news shows in 2010 were negative, and 91 percent of those stories connected the holiday with the pedophilia scandal that surrounded the Catholic Church. Not surprisingly, every Earth Day story that ABC, CBS, and NBC nightly news shows broadcasted were glowingly positive about saving Mother Earth.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

From "Google Doodle celebrates Earth Day" by Relaxnews 4/22/11

Google has frequently added images to its homepage to mark significant events; recent Google Doodles were created to mark the 50th anniversary of the first man in space on April 12 and Charlie Chaplin's birthday on April 16.

Now in its 41st year, Earth Day is an international environmental campaign aimed at raising awareness of climate change. Celebrities, businesses and individuals around the world are supporting the campaign through a series of events.

The organizers behind Earth Day are also encouraging individuals to publically pledge to do an environmentally friendly action, such as recycle more, as part of Earth Day's Billion Acts of Green campaign. The organizers hope they can collect a billion public pledges before the global Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Environmentalism Greatest Threat to Civilization

Gay 'Clergy' in Withering Presbyterian PCUSA

[Pastors say that most] Presbyterian churches have been seeing more funerals than infant baptisms, that internal disputes over such issues as homosexual ordination have been paralyzing their ministry, and that the only unity they seem to have left "is contained in the property clause and the pension plan."

UPDATE 5/10/11: Presbyterians Vote Yea on Gay 'Clergy'

UPDATE 3/1/11: Judicial commission acquits 'married' homosexual 'pastor' who dismisses Bible

-- From "Majority of local Presbytery supports homosexual clergy" by Chad Dally, Wausau Daily Herald, 2/13/11

A majority of central Wisconsin Presbyterian leaders believe homosexuals should be allowed to serve as pastors, deacons and elders, according to a Saturday vote.

The Presbytery's approval -- which came on a show of hands among the more than 50 leaders present -- marked the 28th vote among more than 170 Presbyteries nationwide in favor of opening up the ordination process to gays and lesbians. Twenty-five Presbyteries have voted against, and a majority of more than 170 U.S. Presbyteries must vote in favor for the change to take effect.

Tom Willadsen, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Oshkosh, also supported the change, and said he was "bored and weary" after debating the issue for more than a decade. He also said the Presbyterian Book of Order that guides the church lists so many sins, including "stubbornness," that few people would be able to serve if strictly followed.

But the Rev. Richard Marcy from Faith Presbyterian Church in Crivitz, Marinette County, said he was opposed to changing the ordination process because it "does not solve the issue of homosexuality in the church" and whether the church considers homosexuality a sin. He also said the amendment change does not provide for "graceful separation" away from the Presbytery without repercussions for any churches that might object to homosexual clergy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Church body approves ordaining gays, lesbians" by David Yonke, Toledo Blade Religion Editor 2/16/11

The [Bowling Green, Ohio] regional body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted 67-39 Tuesday in favor of ordaining openly gay or lesbian pastors, but the proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of the nation's 173 presbyteries to take effect.

[In 2009, a similar] amendment was defeated nationally with 95 presbyteries voting against it and 78 in favor.

Pam Byers, executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, said Tuesday that, of the 67 presbyteries that have voted on the amendment thus far, 37 have approved it and 30 have voted it down. Six of those presbyteries shifted from "no" votes in 2009 to "yes" votes this time, while one went from a "yes" vote in 2009 to a "no" this year.

The Rev. Clint Tolbert of First Presbyterian of Maumee was one of a handful of speakers opposing the amendment.

"My concern is not primarily what this amendment may say or may not say about issues of sexuality. My concern foremost is about what this amendment may or may not say about our relationship, both personally and the church, to Scripture," Mr. Tolbert said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "PCUSA Pastors in Talks of a New Future" by Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter 2/16/11

A group of [175 PCUSA pastors] believes the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is "deathly ill" and will not survive without "drastic intervention."

"Our divisions revolve around differing understandings of Scripture, authority, Christology, the extent of salvation amidst creeping universalism, and a broader set of moral issues," they noted. "Outside of presbytery meetings, we mostly exist in separate worlds, with opposing sides reading different books and journals, attending different conferences, and supporting different causes. There is no longer common understanding of what is meant by being 'Reformed.'"

And while they plan to continue conversations within the PC(USA), the group is also considering possibly forming a new Reformed body, an entity that would be outside the PC(USA).

. . . they noted, "for many this outcome simply acknowledges that fighting is not the way we choose to proceed; our goal is not institutional survival but effective faithfulness as full participants in the worldwide Church. We hope to discover and model what a new 'Reformed body' looks like in the coming years."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Read also, Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither

Liberal 'Churches' Continue to Wither

While mainline Protestant churches in the U.S. continue to experience decades-long decline, the memberships of Pentecostal traditions are on the rise, according to new figures compiled by the National Council of Churches.

"To paraphrase a biblical passage, to those who have, more is being given, and those who have little have less."

-- From "Evangelical Churches Still Growing, Mainline Protestantism In Decline" by Richard Yeakley, Religion News Service (Huffington Post) 2/15/11

The Roman Catholic Church (No. 1) and the Southern Baptist Convention (No. 2) are still significantly larger than all other North American denominations, but Catholics posted minimal growth of less than 1 percent, and Southern Baptist membership fell for a third straight year [by less than half a percent], according to the 2011 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.

Mainline Protestant churches that have seen a fall in membership since the 1970s continued their decline. . .

The membership declines in mainline churches led to a 1 percent decrease in total U.S. church membership, to 145.8 million.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gains, losses continue" by Peter Smith, Louisville Courier-Journal 2/14/11

Historic Protestant denominations continued their long-term decline in the most recent annual survey of religious membership, while Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses and some Pentecostals reported continued growth.

Several of the council’s most active denominations, as it turns out, are declining. They include the nation’s largest Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist denominations, the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches (USA). While some critics have long cited liberal influences for these churches’ decline, some conservative denominations also saw declines, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). All have a largely white, Anglo constituency — a demographic that is aging and shrinking in proportion to minority populations in the United States.

For a list of the stats, and to read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Liberal churches losing ground in the US" by William Donohue, President of Catholic League 2/16/11

Beginning with the work of Dean Kelly in the 1970s, it has been empirically obvious that those religions which have experienced the greatest proportionate decline in membership are generally the most progressive or liberal in their teachings; conversely, conservative-oriented religions have fared comparatively well. The latest data from the Yearbook proves this to be true again.

With the exception of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and to some extent the American Baptist Churches, all the other churches with declining membership hold liberal views on abortion and gay rights.

Moreover, the smallest decline among the Baptist churches was registered by the most conservative among them, the Southern Baptist Convention (down .42). By sharp contrast, all the religions that experienced a growth in membership are pro-life and pro-marriage (normatively understood).

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read, 'Gay Churches' Decline as Mainlines Embrace Homosexuality

'Gay Churches' Decline as Mainlines Embrace Homosexuality

The decades-long phenomenon of all-gay 'churches' has waned for many reasons: Homosexual behavior is now celebrated in many mainline denominations; there are simply fewer homosexualists who desire to be Christian; and of course, by definition, homosexual behavior doesn't procreate.

-- From "Generation gap imperils gay church" by Jeff Kunerth, Orlando Sentinel 12/31/10

. . . Joy Metropolitan Community Church . . . Started in 1979, the predominantly gay Orlando church is imperiled by its inability to attract a younger generation of gay and lesbian worshippers. Only about 20 of the 250 people who regularly attend the church are in their 20s and 30s, said the Rev. Lisa Heilig, interim pastor.

Mainline Protestant denominations such as Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists are dealing with the same doomsday demographic of aging congregations. But the gay church faces not only fewer young people attending church, but also a greater acceptance of gays in other churches.

Moreover, gay churches don't have the built-in ability to attract families with children, teenagers with youth programs, and young people with church services like rock concerts. There are no "crying rooms" for babies at Joy MCC or Sunday-school classrooms or a day-care center during the week.

"What I'm finding is they don't want to go to a church where they are segregated by their sexuality," said the Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams, who has about 50 young gays in her contemporary service at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando. "Their relationship with God is first, but they want a church where they can be who they are and not have to hide it."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "NC Council of Churches selects openly gay man as president to lead push for liberal goals" by The Associated Press 12/27/10

The North Carolina Council of Churches is breaking ground by electing an openly gay minister as its incoming president.

The statewide organization that promotes Christian harmony and social justice has selected retired IBM sales executive and Raleigh resident Stan Kimer (KIM-uhr). The 55-year-old Kimer is a member of the Metropolitan Community Churches, a denomination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gay man leads N.C. church association" by Yonat Shimron, Charlotte Observer 12/27/10

[This] signals an acceptance among member denominations - Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics - that even if they have theological differences about homosexuality, they are OK with a gay man at the helm. Or at least, they don't see it as an issue worth fighting.

As president, Kimer leads a 35-member governing board that sets the council's direction on a host of social issues, including racial equality, health care, immigrant rights and environmental conservation. He was elected to a one-year term and could run for a second one-year term.

Kimer's election has its roots in a controversial 1993 decision by the N.C. council to add the Metropolitan Community Churches to its roster of cooperating denominations. The MCC is made up of nearly 200 U.S. churches, including seven in North Carolina, and caters to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

Soon after the MCC became part of the N.C. council, Kimer joined the board as a representative of St. John's MCC, a Raleigh church where he has been a member for 18 years.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Lesbian Activist 'Pastor' on Trial by PCUSA

A lesbian minister, who officiated at more than a dozen same-sex weddings during the brief window gay marriage was legal in California, goes to trial Thursday before a Presbyterian court, charged with violating her denomination's constitution.

UPDATE 8/28/10: Denomination slaps "pastor's" hand and warns her to not do it again

-- From "Church court tries minister who performed same-sex marriages" by Maria L. La Ganga, Los Angeles Times 8/24/10

The case of the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr has gained national attention because "what is being tested is the definition of marriage" in the Presbyterian faith, said the Rev. Carmen Fowler, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, a conservative organization that opposes same-sex marriage.

Although the Presbyterian constitution does not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage, it defines marriage as "a civil contract between a woman and a man." But same-sex marriage is legal in five states and the District of Columbia and is working its way through the courts in California.

In July, the [PCUSA] General Assembly, which meets every two years, voted to repeal [the pastors' chastity in singleness] requirement. Now the denomination's 173 regions, or presbyteries, will have until June to vote on whether to ratify that change. The amendment is not believed to have been used against a straight minister and it effectively blocks the ordination of gay ministers who are in committed relationships.

The balloting will be the fifth time that efforts to ordain gay clergy have gone to such a vote.

Spahr was ordained in 1974, when she was the married mother of two young sons. The 68-year-old came out in 1978 and has fought for full inclusion of gays and lesbians in Presbyterian life ever since. She was able to remain a minister because she was ordained before the anti-gay edicts.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian pastor faces religious trial for performing same-sex marriages" by Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune 8/23/10

After 36 years as a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, 68, of San Francisco, could face censure, a suspension from pastoral duties, or -- unlikely, but possible -- even revocation of her ordination after proceedings starting Tuesday at the Presbytery of the Redwoods in Napa.

With more than 2 million adherents, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has allowed the blessing of same-sex couples since 2000 and has endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples since 2004, but its constitution defines marriage as between "a man and a woman." A church legislative committee voted 34-18 last month to change that definition to between "two people," but the church's General Assembly days later voted 439-208 to table the matter for two years of further study.

Those arguing for the change say same-sex couples can show the same kind of love and commitment as opposite-sex couples and so deserve the same recognition from the church; those arguing against it say it's at odds with Scripture.

The trial is expected to take several days and it is unclear when the panel may rule.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Sky Falling on Dying Apostate 'Churches'

Is God sending a message to a mainline Protestant church when the ceiling collapses during Sunday services, injuring more than a dozen pew occupants?

-- From "Congregations struggle in aging, decaying churches" by Tom Breen, Associated Press 7/14/10

Caring for old church facilities is an increasingly acute problem, particularly for mainline Protestant denominations. As membership declines and budgets shrink, the beautiful edifices of American Christianity can feel like weights dragging down churches that are forced to spend money on maintenance and repairs instead of ministry, charity and other Gospel-derived imperatives.

. . . decline in fortune is mirrored among Protestant denominations like the [ELCA] Lutherans, [PCUSA] Presbyterians and [ECUSA] Episcopalians, [United Methodists, and United Church of Christ,] which have seen membership drop in recent decades while the average age of remaining worshippers gets older.

"A lot of these churches have shrunk from 500 members to 100 members, or from 800 members to 200 members," said Robert Jaeger, executive director of the Partnership for Sacred Places. "They look at the trend lines and they see the decline in membership and wonder, 'Gosh, in 10 or 15 years are we going to be gone?'"

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Sexually Deviant Pastors OK in Presbyterian Church

The PCUSA convention voted to accept clergy actively involved in homosexual activity, but the votes were split about defining marriage as "two people."

UPDATE 5/10/11: Presbyterians Vote Yea on Gay 'Clergy'

-- From "Presbyterians continue to be divided over gays" by Patrick Condon, Associated Press 7/9/10

Delegates to the Presbyterian church's convention in Minneapolis voted Thursday for a more liberal policy on gay clergy but decided not to redefine marriage in their church constitution to include same-sex couples. Approval of both measures could have made the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) one of the most gay-friendly major Christian churches in the U.S.

Even the more liberal stance on gay clergy faces more debate before it can become church policy. A majority of the church's 173 U.S. presbyteries must approve it. Two years ago — after years of efforts by supporters — a similar measure was sent out to presbyteries but died when 94 of them voted against it.

Both of Thursday's votes were close. Fifty-one percent of delegates voted to shelve the proposal to redefine marriage as being between "two people" instead of between "a man and a woman," just hours after 53 percent of them voted to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy.

On Friday, delegates voted down a motion to reconsider the marriage vote. It needed a two-thirds majority to come back to the floor and got just 40 percent. Gay rights supporters must wait two years until the next general assembly for another shot.

Several major Christian denominations have voted in recent years to allow non-celibate gays to serve as clergy if they are in committed relationships. Among them are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the U.S. Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.

Fewer major U.S. denominations have taken the step of fully endorsing gay marriage. Only two, the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, have explicitly allowed it.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Presbyterian leaders OK gay, lesbian clergy, shelve same-sex marriage proposal" by Jean Hopfensperger and Mary Lynn Smith, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) 7/9/10

The late-night decision to table the proposal [to redefine marriage] and subject it to two more years of study caught many delegates at the denomination's gathering at the Minneapolis Convention Center by surprise, and there was a stunned silence as delegates absorbed the action.

Had the marriage measure passed, it, too would have had to be approved by the presbyteries.

Hours before the surprise shelving of the marriage measure, the assembly approved changing the denomination's ordination policy to make noncelibate gays and lesbians eligible to become clergy. The vote was 373-323.

It was the fourth time the assembly had approved such a change. The previous times, it was rejected by district leaders. Church leaders believe it has a better chance of meeting district approval this time.

Presbyterian ministers currently are permitted to perform ceremonial blessings of same-sex couples, but nothing more.

A group called Presbyterians for Renewal . . . opposed changes. Its website states: "Blurring or obscuring the clear teaching of God's Word in order to keep in step with secular laws and changing personal morals only confuses our witness and causes innumerable problems for the future."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

D.C. Homosexualist 'Pastor' Dares Methodist Church to Defrock Her

A new [Washington] D.C. law means the Rev. Mary Kay Totty can now marry same-sex couples. But in the United Methodist Church, the denomination that ordained Totty two decades ago, the act could get her defrocked.

-- From "Local Methodist Church to Hold Same-sex Weddings" producer: Erin Gibson, WJLA ABC TV-7 3/11/10

A local methodist church has decided to go against the teachings of its own denomination by officiating same-sex weddings.

Dumbarton United Methodist Church is the oldest Methodist church in D.C., but has decided to add something new: same-sex weddings.

"We celebrate that and we will treat all couples equally who seek to be married in our church," said Rev. Mary Kay Totty.

Totty [age: 46] says she knows she's breaking that church law.

"We will celebrate love and loyalty wherever it's found. And love and loyalty are the same, whether it's shared between a man and a woman or two men and two women," the reverend said.

The conference that oversees Dumbarton says that if Rev. Totty actually performs a same-sex wedding at the church she will be called to answer charges against a panel of other pastors and they will decide her fate, which could include nothing or stripping her of her duties as a minister.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Clergy torn over church, civil loyalties over same-sex Marriage" by Daniel Burke, posted at Washington Post 3/27/10

"The institutional church has for so many years oppressed and excluded and harmed our [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] sisters and brothers," Totty said. "We have to say: 'Enough already. These are people's lives and loves that we continue to exclude from the fullness of life in the church.'"

Nineteen other current and former United Methodist clergy in the District have signed a statement supporting Totty and Dumbarton UMC, the small, liberal congregation that she has pastored since July. Many others campaigned to legalize same-sex marriage in the city. But only Totty has been willing to put her job on the line.

As gay rights spread through civil society, an increasing number of clergy are . . . caught by conflicting loyalties, forced to choose between church law and civil law in pastoring to their gay and lesbian congregants.

In the Presbyterian Church (USA), for example, the Rev. Jane Spahr was brought up on church charges this month for marrying a lesbian couple in California in 2008, when it was briefly legal in the state. Church courts in the 2.3 million-member PCUSA have ruled against pastors who presumed to marry same-sex couples, though "blessing" such unions is allowed.

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, the conflict is not between church and civil laws, but within the church itself. One policy, reaffirmed in 2005, says there is "no basis" in Scripture or tradition for establishing rites for blessing gay couples. Last summer, though, the ELCA voted to commit to "finding ways to allow congregations" to recognize same-sex partnerships.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Liberal 'Christians' Want Taxpayer-funded Abortion

Over 1,100 'church' leaders call on Senate to ensure underprivileged and minority women's children may be freely murdered with tax dollars via ObamaCare

For background, read New Episcopal Divinity President Says Abortion is a Blessing

-- From "Over 1,000 Clerics Want Abortion Access in Health Care Bill" by Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter 10/2/09

The Religious Institute released an open letter that maintains that abortion is a “morally justifiable decision” that should be left to women to decide. The letter is a response to amendments in the Senate that would cut abortion coverage in private insurance plans that receive federal funding.

“Already, federal policy unfairly prevents low-income women and federal employees from receiving subsidized reproductive health services, but the new proposals would mean that even more women and families would lose access to these vital services,” said the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, executive director of the Religious Institute.

Haffner added, “Placing restrictions on private insurance plans that make abortion accessible to women represents a serious moral injustice.”

The letter itself contends that the sanctity of human life is “best upheld” when it is made carefully, not when women are “coerced to carry a pregnancy to term.”

Religious denominations that have endorsed the letter include: American Baptist Churches, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, and The United Methodist Church, among others.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

ELCA Church Blesses Sexually Deviant Clergy

The liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted Friday to lift restrictions that prohibited sexually active homosexuals from serving as pastors.

In contrast, the smaller, (yet truly evangelical) Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod denomination continues to uphold God's Word with regard to sinful sexual behavior.

-- From "Lutherans lift barrier for gay clergy" by Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times 8/22/09

The nation's largest Lutheran denomination Friday reversed a long-standing ban on the appointment of non-celibate gays to the clergy, becoming the second major Christian group in a month to liberalize policies governing who may minister the faith.

Leaders of the 4.6-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Minneapolis, gave local congregations the authority to choose ministers or lay leaders who may be in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

The decision follows a similar action last month by officers of the Episcopal Church, who lifted a de facto ban on the consecration of partnered gay bishops.

Theologians and church analysts said both votes could influence other Protestant denominations -- including Presbyterians [PCUSA] and United Methodists -- that are struggling to reconcile conflicts over homosexuality and the Bible.

One scholar characterized the move by the two groups as a "watershed moment in American Christianity" that could further divide churches already laboring to stem the flight of traditionalists.

Conservatives in the [ELCA] Lutheran church condemned the decisions by the Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, saying the actions on gay and lesbian clergy run counter to Biblical teachings about marriage.

One prominent group, Lutheran CORE, called for Lutheran congregations to direct funds away from the national church and instead give to "faithful" ministries within and outside the denomination. The organization is hosting a meeting next month in Indianapolis to plan what it called a "united common future" with traditional Lutherans.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Liberal 'Christians' Predictably Support Democrat Health Care Reform

. . . the religious left is rallying behind the health care package being debated in Congress and decrying the tactics used by the plan’s rightwing opponents.

UPDATE: ELCA Lutherans' own health insurance plan for clergy and church employees covers abortion -- even for sex-selection.

UPDATE 8/19/09: Obama orchestrates his faithful following

-- From "‘Religious Left’ tackles health care reform" by Andy Birkey, Minnesota Independent 8/18/09

A new coalition is promising “40 Days of Health Reform” — and it’ll hit Minneapolis in the next few weeks.

The campaign was launched to show the spiritual need for health reform, not to support any one specific set of policies. And it’s seen some immediate success as President Obama will join coalition members on a conference call later this week.

“This isn’t a political issue, it is a deeply theological issue, a biblical issue, and a moral issue,” said Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners magazine in a conference call last week. “So we are not going to at any time during the debate weigh in on the particulars of policy questions…[We’ll] leave the plumbing to the politicians.”

Wallis didn’t mince words in a recent editorial in his publication. “The ’storm troopers’ of political demagoguery, such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck, have mobilized their followers to disrupt town meetings and defeat comprehensive reform by yelling louder than anybody else,” he wrote. “The campaign tactics include lies, intimidation, character assassination, verbal abuse, and even mob behavior against members of Congress trying to conduct town hall meetings on the issues.”

[The 40 Days coalition includes the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, as well as] some of America’s largest [liberal 'Christian'] denominations: The Episcopal Church, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., United Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalist Association, African Methodist Episcopal Church, the National Council of Churches in Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Christ.

Some [liberal] Catholic groups are also on board: NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Catholics United, and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

For Catholics and many other people of faith, the issue of abortion is an important one, but the coalition is refusing to let it be a stumbling block.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

PCUSA Kentucky Says YES to Homosexual Pastors

Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in Central and Eastern Kentucky have agreed that a national ban on gay ministers should be overturned, raising fears of a schism in the denomination.

-- From "Kentucky presbytery votes to overturn ban on gay ministers" by Karla Ward, Lexington Herald-Leader 3/12/09

The commissioners of the Presbytery of Transylvania, which includes 56 Central and Eastern Kentucky counties, voted 83-61 Tuesday to approve an amendment that, if supported by the majority of the presbyteries in the United States, would open the door for gays and lesbians to be ordained as pastors, elders and deacons.

The proposal is being considered by each of the nation's 173 presbyteries. It would have to be accepted by a simple majority of them to take effect.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has considered such amendments to its Book of Order several times since 1996, when an amendment was put in place requiring church officers to live "in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness."

Under the amendment, individual churches would be able to choose a gay or lesbian person for ordination under "really tight circumstances," said Richard Smith, general presbyter for the Transylvania presbytery. "We're not going to be ordaining anybody who's not a confirmed, solid Christian person. It's not a wide open door by any means," he said. "We take the question of ordination very seriously."

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Presbyterians (PCUSA) Continue Voting on Homosexual Clergy

173 regional bodies of the Presbyterian Church USA will decide by 2010 whether to begin allowing homosexual clergy.

Alabama splits the vote.

-- From "Homosexuals Could Head Presbyterian Congregations" Reported by: Rick Jackson, Birmingham CBS42-TV 2/20/09

The controversial stance of keeping homosexuals from joining the Presbyterian clergy has just been dropped. A group representing the majority of Presbyterians in Alabama has cast a vote that could call for a big division within the denomination.

Thursday's vote to change the fidelity and chastity clause has broken the barring for homosexuals in the Presbyterian clergy. The North-Central Alabama body of the denomination favored to drop the language set over a decade ago.

-- From "Presbyterian group votes no on gays' ordination" by Kay Campbell, Huntsville Times Faith & Values Editor 2/22/09

Representatives of North Alabama Presbyterians voted about 3 to 2 against church constitutional changes that would have removed one barrier to the ordination of ministers who are gay.

The local vote was 48 against and 34 for. That brings the vote of the 173 presbyteries nationwide to at least 40 to 23 against changing the wording in the church's Book of Order.

Despite gradual movement in the denomination nationally toward endorsing the change, with at least seven presbyteries who opposed it in the past changing their vote this year, the Rev. Warner Durnell, North Alabama's executive presbyter, said he heard no new arguments on either side of the issue Saturday and that the vote total seemed close to past outcomes.

The Religious Left 'Taste' the Millennium in Obama

After stewing with anger across 8 years in the wilderness, liberal prelates are shouting Hosanna in expectation of spiritual enlightenment during the Obama reign.

-- From "The Religious Left Celebrates" Commentary by Mark D. Tooley, posted at FrontPageMagazine.com 11/12/08

"We at the National Council of Churches urge all Americans to come together to uphold you with our hands, our hearts and our prayers," the NCC's chief, Michael Kinnamon wrote his congratulatory letter to Obama. The NCC, previously the voice of America's premier religious denominations, once truly walked in the corridors of power. It has never fully accepted its transition from mainline to sideline in America's religious demographic. As recently as 1995, the NCC was invited to the White House to "pray" for President Clinton as he was resisting the new Republican Congress. No doubt, the NCC is praying that its White House visitation rights will soon be restored.

. . . Rev. Kinnamon could not suppress his excitement. "The leaders of this Council pledge to you our unstinting support in the difficult days to come," he promised Obama. "All of us are dependent on God's loving mercy, and we will regularly pray for you and others elected to high leadership. May your wisdom and discernment serve you well, and may your health never wane."

Maybe even more excitable than the NCC was the United Methodist Council of Bishops, who were meeting in Georgia during the election, and could barely contain their joy.

United Methodism's chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill, Jim Winkler, who once called for President Bush's impeachment before retracting the call amid controversy, was also looking forward to ending his exile from White House events. "Barack Obama is a person of deep faith," he enthused. "I fully expect The United Methodist Church, for the first time in many years, will be welcomed in the White House." [Note: President Bush is the first Methodist president since William McKinley]

Another likely White House religious visitor during the Obama years is Sojourners chief Jim Wallis, who has been feverishly attempting to create an Evangelical Left that would undermine evangelicals' traditional conservative voting habits. This new Evangelical Left, largely a repackaging of the old Religious Left for a new audience that cannot remember the 1960's, wants to persuade evangelicals that Global Warming and opposing U.S. military actions is more important than upholding traditional marriage or opposing abortion.

Wallis claimed that his campaign was successful. "Polls leading up to the election showed a significant break from the previous generation on issues like gay marriage and abortion, which while still a top concern, it is not the only one," he rejoiced. . . Wallis, an old 1960's student radical who now wants to be seen as a soothing centrist, claimed, "These religious voters refuse to be distracted by the culture wars of the previous generation."

To read the entire commentary, CLICK HERE.

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Presbyterians PCUSA Open Pulpit to Homosexual Behavior

-- From "Presbyterians move to allow gay clergy, but fight remains" by Kimberly Winston, Religion News Service 6/27/08

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The nation's largest Presbyterian denomination on Friday (June 27) cracked open the door to ordaining non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy, though the decades-old fight is far from over.

Delegates at the Presbyterian Church (USA) meeting here voted 54 percent to 46 percent to remove a clause in their constitution that requires clergy to be either married and faithful or single and chaste.

But the action still needs approval by a majority of the denomination's 173 regional bodies, called presbyteries, and similar moves in recent years have twice failed to win ratification on the local level.

"It is more than we expected from this General Assembly," said Jon Walton, co-moderator of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, which supports gay and lesbian clergy. "But it is all that we hoped for."

The setting for this year's assembly in California proved an interesting backdrop for the debate, just a week after the state joined Massachusetts in allowing same-sex couples to marry.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.