GA 227 Update: CNP Celebrates General Assembly's Approval of Top Priorities

Theological Study on Families, Sexual Ethics, and Other Actions Supporting LGBTQIA+ People

Ruling Elder Commissioner Daniel Herron, a member of the CNP Board, speaks in favor of GEN-09 at the General Assembly

The Covenant Network of Presbyterians celebrates that the General Assembly has called for development of a comprehensive theological framework studying families, marriage, relationships and sexuality in a contemporary context. The study, to be facilitated by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy over the next two years, will be a crucial step forward for the church in speaking biblically, meaningfully, and with theological richness to faithful living in the 21st century.

Ruling Elder Commissioner Daniel Herron, a member of the CNP Board, speaks in favor of GEN-09 at the General Assembly. “We are immensely grateful to commissioners and advisory delegates for the faithful discernment that led to these overwhelming affirmative votes," said Brian Ellison, executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, which named the study as its top legislative priority at this General Assembly. “This study represents the best way to achieve guidance for the church that has depth, practical relevance and Reformed integrity.”

The comprehensive framework was part of Item GEN-09, which the Assembly approved 419-54 Monday at its meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Assembly also voted not to approve an overture that sought to address the issue of monogamy for some ministers. Instead, the Assembly voted 433-44 to refer the matter to be studied as part of the same theological study.

“Questions about the ethics of relational and family structures are complex, and the church deserves a careful, consultative process rather than a rushed, and also unconstitutional, assembly action,” said TJ Remaley, co-moderator of the CNP Board of Director, who was leading CNP's advocacy at the assembly. “This action avoids the assembly’s ugly history of debating the lives of people through polity debates, choosing instead theologically driven study and unrushed discernment.”

The Covenant Network of Presbyterians looks forward to offering whatever support it can to the church’s process, sharing its three decades of experience developing theological resources and supporting congregations on matters of sexuality, gender and inclusion.

CNP celebrates the Assembly’s discernment on other items it identified as priorities, including:

• Declining to form a special committee to rehash constitutional debate from the last assembly that added language precluding discrimination on the bases of gender identity or sexual orientation

• Declaring that the PC(USA) supports all individuals to have access to all medically necessary, evidence-based gender-affirming healthcare.

• Creating new mechanisms for congregations and candidates for pastoral positions to have clarity about a church’s openness to a LGBTQIA+ applicant

• Acknowledging and repenting of the church’s complicity in the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS

• Creating a voluntary self-audit process for congregations seeking to more effectively and authentically welcome LGBTQIA+ people

• Providing funding for a biennial national gathering of queer Presbyterians.

The General Assembly continues meeting through Thursday, July 2.