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Amendment 10-A passed the 87 vote threshold last night and the old rules on “fidelity and chastity” have been eliminated from our Book of Order. I have been waiting and working for this day since I was in college.  I realize that this change will cause some of my brothers and sisters great pain and doubt as they seek to reconcile their personal beliefs with their church’s official policies. For those people, I encourage you to actually read the new wording. This change in policy truly is a shift towards obedience to Christ – choosing our leaders based on gifts, calling and discernment rather than creating a call system that ranks sin. This change in practice will open the flood gates to many exceedingly talented pastors (both gay and straight) who will transform our denomination with their passion and energy.

Amendment 10-A:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates

Here is a (surprisingly) decent write-up on the news from the huffingtonpost that contains a comparison of the old Book of Order language to the new 10-A.

I believe that this is a truly great day for our denomination and a truly great day for colleagues of mine in the closet and out. I pray that we continue to work together in our denomination, across our theological divides, building the kingdom of God, bringing good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord.  And that we’ll trust God to the one in charge of all things.

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