1. Affirming that Jesus is the only way to God and salvation.
2. Affirming that the Bible is the "unique and authoritative witness" for the life of the church and that "there are no new revelations that show the Bible to be wrong or outdated."
3. Affirming that any sexual activity outside marriage between a man and a woman is sinful and that the "we should not ordain or install" any minister, elder or deacon "involved in any unrepentant sinful behavior, sexual or otherwise."

Reports received on Saturday, March 17, indicate that the unofficial vote count is now 65 in favor of Amendment O, and 92 opposed - out of a total of 157 presbyteries voting, or 91% of the total.

Latest reports: Newark (36 for - 57 against); Mackinac (24 - 53); Los Ranchos (140 - 67); Giddings-Lovejoy (55 - 116); Lackawanna (32 - 47). These votes all follow the voting on Amendment B.

Voices of Sophia gathers at the border [3-19-01]

[3-19-01]

The Rev. Henry Brinton, who has recently become pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Virginia, writes in the Washington Post about the need for community in our churches. He sees the proliferation of religious reading materials and individualized "spirituality" as threats to the communal nature of authentic religion. Further, he says, communal relationships are a deep human need that is often unmet today.

He also suggests that the web may help deal with this need.

Some have suggested that much of "liberal Christianity" has fallen victim to this plague of spiritual individualism. What do you think? Please share your thoughts!  And we'll share the conversation (if any!) here.

The latest presbyteries: Washington (51 - 45); New Brunswick 54 - 128) ; Pacific (87 - 110 - a shift from their 97 -95 vote in favor of Amendment B).

Witherspoon member Doug Nave is a practicing attorney, and serves as a Trustee of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. He sent this note soon after the deciding votes were reported that meant the rejection of Amendment O. After analyzing the patterns of voting, he considers some of the implications of the debate thus far, and urges continued efforts for the remaining presbytery votes.

Two visitors have commented in response to some of these and other thoughts we have published regarding the defeat of Amendment O.  Sam Lanham points to the important of the human dimension of the issue in presbytery debates.  [3-17-01]

Our group has not had time to discuss this collectively, but here are a few immediate comments from some officers as individuals. More will be added as they come in. And if you'd like to share your thoughts about this decision, please send us a note!

Clearly, the really important steps toward an inclusive church have yet to be taken, and they will be much more challenging than this one.

Nevertheless, this is a hopeful indication that many people in our Presbyterian Church are concerned to protect the integrity of the church and its ministries. While there is strong and legitimate concern for families, there is a growing awareness that "family" and healthy relationships can take many forms.

We celebrate this step away from a morality of exclusion, and we're grateful to the many sisters and brothers who have worked (and are still working!) so hard to bring us to this point.  We look forward with renewed hope for the vital witness of our Presbyterian Church to the gracious love of God for all people.

Jane Hanna, president of the group, appreciates this action partly because "using the Book of Order to decide controversial issues about what constitutes moral behavior is not in the best interest of the Church. With opinion so evenly divided on this subject, it is healthier for the whole body to leave room for individual conscience, and for congregational and presbytery rights to decision making about matters of faith and biblical interpretation."

She adds that "none of us has been given the power to determine upon whom God's blessing should be given. [Check out Sarah Melcher's essay on this subject, published here just yesterday.] As others have pointed out, the health of a committed relationship between two people is a far more important moral concern than the matter of who the two people may be. In no way do the faithful relationships of homosexual couples threaten heterosexual relationships. Any loving relationships between people give additional health to the whole community."

She concludes: "We know the subject is not likely to be dropped, but we are grateful that for now this uncharitable attempt at exclusion has been defeated."

Amendment O has been rejected by 88 No to 64 Yes. Voting continues (this is just 89% of all presbyteries) - and it still matters.

With 152 (89%) votes unofficially reported, 64 favor "O," and 88 reject it.

Other No votes came from Eastminster (55 - 56); Cincinnati (105 - 123); New Brunswick (54 - 128), and Utica (voice vote); Yes votes came from Washington (51 - 45), San Gabriel (163 - 113) and Missouri Union (49 - 42).

Go to our voting page for earlier reports, details, and more.

Presbyterians Together [not Presbyterian Partners, as we stated earlier!], a conservative umbrella group formed to support Amendment O, published a statement in their on-line Presbyterian Coalition News. Acknowledging the defeat of "O," they add: 

"While the Church has lost this vote, the Church is by no means lost. We have no intention of relaxing our efforts to affirm the message and authority of scripture and to uphold the confessional statements of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."

The Interfaith Alliance Foundation and The Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs are publishing a free educational booklet, "Keeping the Faith: The Promise of Cooperation, The Perils of Government Funding: Guidelines for Houses of Worship," that will offer guidance and information to religious leaders searching for answers on how to serve those in need without jeopardizing their autonomy or the constitutional and civil rights of those served.

We also have a report from Presbyterian News Service.  One major issue remained the question of whether we are to live "under Scripture" or in obedience to Christ.

The second Semper Reformanda News Update includes:

Here is an essay offering a theological perspective on charitable choice which takes a more positive view of the program.  The author, the Rev. Dr. Nile Harper, is a Presbyterian pastor, an officer of Semper Reformanda, and former professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York.

As a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, she notes that "my fellow students and I would read the publication and wonder what school the Layman was talking about, so far from the reality of campus life they seemed to be."

To wander through earlier headlines and links: