c. 1997 Religion News Service

UNDATED _ Opponents and proponents of a proposed church rule tempering restrictions on the sexual activity of Presbyterian clergy and other congregational and denominational officials, especially gays and lesbians, are gearing up for a nearly year-long battle for a new Presbyterian law.

At stake is whether to soften a controversial Presbyterian Church (USA) law that sets down requirements of fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness for all officers of the church, including both pastors and elected lay members.

The new law, which went into effect in June with the denomination’s General Assembly, applies to all regardless of sexual orientation, is widely seen as primarily directed at ordained and to-be-ordained homosexuals.

The emphasis of the law is that church deacons, elders and ministers must live according to biblical standards and the historic confessions of the church. But critics see it as blocking gays and lesbians _ both sexually active and celibate _ from ministry.

But also at the denomination’s General Assembly _ its top decision-making body _ delegates approved a possible substitute to the new rule that is less restrictive. It uses the language of”integrity”rather than”chastity”in defining sexual norms of behavior.

The new amendment, like its predecessor, must be approved by a majority of regional presbyteries before it can go into effect.

Earlier this week (Sept. 29-30), opponents of the new amendment _ called the Presbyterian Coalition _ gathered in Dallas to map out plans to defeat ratification by the presbyteries. On Sept. 19, an opposing group _ called Covenant Network of Presbyterians _ met in Chicago to develop strategies to pass it.

Both gatherings plan intense political campaigns to influence grassroots votes on the issue.

The Rev. John Buchanan, a former moderator of the church who attended the Chicago meeting, said his group represents the “broad middle” that has avoided the homosexual issue out of fear that it will erupt in “ideological combat” that disrupts the church’s”peace, purity and unity.” The Rev. Robert Bohl of Prairie Village, Kan., another former moderator at the Chicago meeting, said, “There’s no language in Amendment A (the proposed replacement) that will make it easier for gays and lesbians to be ordained.”

The new amendment does not overrule a church judicial decision barring sexually active gays and lesbians from church office, Bohl said.

The current law requires church officers to adhere to historic confessional standards of the church, rather than being “continually guided” by them as the new amendment does, he said.

Meanwhile, supporters of the current, more restrictive law gathered in Dallas at the Presbyterian Coalition-backed meeting to find ways to block ratification of the proposed amendment.

The Rev. Jerry Andrews of Glen Ellyn, Ill., said church members are “angry, weary and wary” of the arguments surrounding the sexuality issue.

Referring to backers of the new amendment, Andrews added, “I think there are a lot of people who see (the ordination issue) as having less to do with restricting or qualifying the behavior of others (than) it has to do with defining the nature of the church and … (its) witness.”

Caught in the middle, the church’s stated clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, sent identical messages to both gatherings calling on each to maintain peace in the church.”I appeal to you to join me in that quest and in all that you do as an advocate this year to affirm the common ordination vows we share, Kirkpatrick wrote.

He told the differing groups: “Like the body of Christ, our members in the Presbyterian Church (USA) are not all alike. We have strongly-held convictions, often at odds with one another.”

Kirkpatrick said he is concerned whether the church will remain divided when the issue finally is resolved. “Will so many have dissented from our constitution that it has little meaning for our common life together?” he asked rhetorically.

MJP END BRIGGS