A Commitment to Biblical Truth

HPPC responds to Actions of the PCUSA General Assembly 2006

Background

In effect, this Authoritative Interpretation does away with all ordination standards and replaces them with the individual discretion of each local Presbytery and Session.
The 217th General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama voted on June 20th by a 57% margin to approve an Authoritative Interpretation of the PCUSA Constitution that gives to presbyteries and sessions “local license” or “local option” in making ordination decisions. Presbyteries and sessions can now conclude that any deviation from our Constitutional standards is “non-essential” and proceed with ordination of a person with any theological position, or any lifestyle choice, that is acceptable to that particular local governing body.

Prior to the vote

In an effort to influence the outcome of this decision and defeat the “local option” Authoritative Interpretation, HPPC’s session took several actions

  • Expressed opposition to this Authoritative Interpretation prior to the General Assembly
  • Provided financial support for a number of initiatives through Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR)
  • Distributed personal letters appealing to each of Grace Presbytery’s GA Commissioners and Alternates, as well as each Senior Pastor and Session within Grace Presbytery
  • Communicated our opposition and influence plan through a press release to the Presbyterian news media

A Commitment to Biblical Truth

No matter the actions of General Assembly, HPPC will remain faithful to its Biblical, evangelical, and reformed theology, heritage, and values. We are committed to the values and the “Essential Tenets” adopted by our Session that proclaim the foundation of the reformed theological tradition that we affirm and make it very clear where we stand. We continue to stand with over 1300 Confessing Churches within the PCUSA (www.confessingchurch.homestead.com) in affirming these values and theology in a very brief and compelling confessional statement. And we have become an inviting church for the new Presbyterian Global Fellowship (http://69.15.106.21/Default.aspx)

Since General Assembly

In the last several months, HPPC has sent representatives to several gatherings of like-minded churches involved in the renewal movement of the PCUSA and discern with many other churches the appropriate response to the actions of the General Assembly. We will also continue to communicate our concern with Grace Presbytery and Presbytery leaders. The Session has also adopted several resolutions and forwarded them to Grace Presbytery for action and formed several task forces to review important related issues. (read article)

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