Presbyterians to officially allow gay clergy

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-07/presbyterians-officially-allow-gay-clergy

RNS) Presbyterians who support gay rights are prepping sanctuaries this Sunday (July 10) to celebrate the passage of a new church policy that allows gay pastors to serve openly for the first time in the denomination's history.

As the new policy for the Presbyterian Church (USA) becomes official that day, several left-leaning churches "will mark the moment with prayer and rejoicing" in their Sunday services, according to a press release from More Light Presbyterians, which advocates for gay rights in the church.

"The Presbyterian Church enters a new era of equality on Sunday," said Michael Adee, the group's executive director. "It is a historic moment. It returns us to ordination standards that focus on faith and character rather than one's marital status or sexual orientation."

The new policy removes language from the denomination's constitution that had barred homosexuals from serving as church ministers, elders and deacons. It allows each presbytery - or regional governing body - to decide what sexual standards to place on ordination.

[Fearless]

1. Good for them! Yet GLTBQ people would do well to avoid the whole religion thingy... IMHO of course.

[yardwork]

2. Good for the Presbyterian Church (USA).