Reclaiming Our Relevance in the Wake of 10-A

Yesterday, May 10, the Presbyterian Church (USA) finally removed the language in its church constitution that banned faithful GLBTQ Presbyterians in committed relationships from being ordained or installed to the offices of the church.  The ammenment, known as 10-A, will go into effect in July.  This change that comes after nearly four decades of debate begs the question,


Who cares?

Who gives a damn what the PC(USA) does?

Is there anything more irrelevant than the internal machinations of an American Mainline Protestant denomination?

Fifty years ago, what happened in the church was big news. Now it rates little more than a wire service report and a file photo buried with the news release about filling potholes. What changed?

During the fight for civil rights in America it was the preachers who led the struggle for civil rights in the South. From Dr. King in Montgomery to the hundreds of clergy who risked their livelihood and even their lives to proclaim the Gospel message that each and every one of God’s children is due the compassion and respect of the church and society. Pulpits served as the starting line for a movement tha twould change the world.  Many churches were safe havens for those working for change and daring to stand in opposition to bigotry and hate.

Today, the church is scrambling to catch up. While debates nationwide continue over the question of same-sex marriage, the reality of same-sex relationships and the role of GLBTQ men and women is rapidly becoming a non-issue for most people. With the exception of a few paleo-conservative corners in American society, the kind of exclusion and bigotry the church’s ban represented is no longer tolerated. Once upon a time the church was a prophetic voice for the world, now the world has become the prophetic voice to the church. No wonder no one cares what the church has to say!

My hope is that this change in the PC(USA) will be a wake-up call for the church. Despite the prognostications of gloom and doom, the sky did not fall, the sun did rise and God did not strike vengeance and wrath upon those of us who have worked for this essential change. Perhaps there is a message in that. It is time for the church to get back out front and lead the charge into a future where none of God’s children want for food or water, clothing or shelter, respect or dignity.

It is a new day in the PC(USA) and not only is what we have to say relevant, it is essential. Hopefully we will not waste the opportunity to keep proclaiming the radical love and inclusion of God in Jesus Christ now and forever more.