Greetings,

    I am trying to verify this news via “official sources” but I noticed today on the blog “A Classical Presbyterian” that another PJC case will be heard regarding ordination standards and examination for candidacy in Mission Presbytery.  Whether this will end up being a “test case” for the new authoritative interpretation will have to be seen since the presbytery meeting where the disputed action occurred was in October 2005.  According to the blog the presbytery, in a very heated and unruly debate (what happened to “decently and in order”) admitted to candidacy a woman who is a “self-affirming practicing homosexual.”  I encourage you to read the comments on “A Classical Presbyterian” posted today (July 31).  I will see if any “standard” news sources pick this up.

Switching from news to commentary…
Test case?  I’m not sure this will end up being that but it will be interesting to see if the new AI does play into this.  I think the date being pre-GA 217 and the fact that it is an argument over being admitted to candidacy will make this case a bit different.  I know that in a similar situation in my presbytery a few years ago that the presbytery did not view this as a test of G6.0106b or G6.0108 since the advancement to candidacy did not involve ordination.  The general feeing among people in that debate seemed to be “we will approve it, this is not ordination, we will approve candidacy so that the individual can continue to work out their sense of call, but if this examination were for ordination the answer would be no.”

Trial by the Synod PJC is set for Sept. 9th.  Stay tuned.