Church tosses defiant minister: He refused to stop performing gay marriages

The Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | Tuesday, June 17, 2003 | Andrea Uhde

[HatSteel]

can no longer serve as a minister and loses his church membership.

I understand loss of ministerial credentials, but I thought anyone could be a member in this church. Guess not.

If one third of the members are gay, does that mean they'll be kicked out, too? I'm not presbyterian, so I don't know their rules.

[madprof98]

"It's important for me to be true to myself and be true to what my beliefs are about God," he said.

True to myself, eh? What could be more Presbyterian (USA style) than that? And as for "God," well, whatever your beliefs about that are . . .

[Gamecock]

Meanswhile, the Presbyterian Church in America reaffirms that marriage is between one man and one woman. This declaration is not made for church policy, but for a witness to the world on PCA standards.

The PCUSA finally made a stand on homosexuality....

[HatSteel]

US Presbyterian comes in different shapes and sizes, but I'm pretty much uninformed about mainline Presbyterianism.

At a minimum, I guess they believe in kicking this guy out. "God" is part of presbyterianism still, I think.....but I'm not sure He's a full member.

[HatSteel]

See my #6.

How many US denominations have "presbyterian" in their name? How many of them are over about 250,000 people?

[ohioWfan]

This is a sad day.

NO, this is a GREAT day!

This man has been defiant of everything Presbyterian doctrine, consistant with Scripture, stands for.

As a member of the Session of a strong, evangelical Presbyterian church in Ohio, which seeks to honor the Lord, and the truth of God's Word, I applaud this decision.

I believe that God is at work in the Presbyterian Church to bring it back to truth and holiness. Satan is still at work obviously, but there are many praying members of the PC USA who desire their denomination to once again uphold the truths of Scripture.

[ohioWfan]

Not so with the majority, madprof. The noisy minority get all the press.

[HatSteel]

Can you answer my questions at #7?

[HatSteel]

I've heard about them. I don't think that godhatesfags does justice to the nature of God.

[colorado tanker]

I understand loss of ministerial credentials, but I thought anyone could be a member in this church. Guess not.

Gays can be members. If the church said members must be free of sin, the pews would be empty. I would hope they would attend and grow in faith.

The reporter probably confused membership in the clergy with membership in the church. The church does not recognize gay marriage and this minister would not stop performing them.

The PCUSA also requires that ordained ministers be married or celebate singles; thus practicing gays may not be ordained.

[Gamecock]

7, probably 2

[Gamecock]

Yeah PCA churches are great. If you are a man. Women can't be ministers, elders or deacons.

Yup, we're the intolerant ones! (If you consider holding to Bible teaching is intolerant that is)

[ohioWfan]

The Presbyterian Church, USA is the largest, and the Prebyterian Church of America, next, I believe, both with over 250,000.

The Orthodox Presbyterian is fairly large, but I don't know how big.

I don't know a whole lot about the rest because I spent most of my life as a Baptist, and there are a zillion kinds of Baptists! :o)

[ohioWfan]

Some subject to debate about the role of women, Gamecock......even among equally dedicated evangelical Christians.

[DannyTN]

Congratulations Presbyterians