Dear Editor:
Included in a local paper, Thursday, March 19, was an Associated Press article titled “Presbyterians approve gay marriage in the church constitution.”
Part of that article was very important to understand, “No clergy would be compelled to preside at a gay marriage or church host such a ceremony on church property.”
This and language within the full amendment to the Presbyterian Constitution clearly gives the local clergy and churches the choice to participate in gay weddings or ceremonies or not. There is no demand or compulsion within the changes.
The Presbyterian Church of Clearfield recognizes in the last several years the State of Pennsylvania is no longer defining marriage as between a man and a woman and across the country this movement has affected many denominations, not just Presbyterians.
It is certain this long-term political and social movement has caused no small amount of confusion and frustration within the faith community. Having been given a choice, the leaders of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield have acted to make clear our church’s stance in this matter. The following outlines a July 22, 2014 vote of the church leaders.
- As a service of Christian worship, a marriage service is under the direction of the pastor and the supervision of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield’s elected leaders. These leaders have the authority and responsibility to faithfully and biblically guide all use of church property.
- The leaders of Presbyterian Church of Clearfield believe the service of Christian marriage to be a lifelong commitment made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by God and the community of faith. Single sex weddings, covenant ceremonies, blessings of unions or, relationships that imitate marriage, shall not replace or be used to circumvent the biblical model of marriage between a man and a woman. All marriage services are under the direction of the pastor, the installed pastor will officiate at all weddings and all weddings will be approved by the church board.
As Jesus welcomed all persons, the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield also welcomes all persons who seek to faithfully worship God and join in Christian fellowship. With Christ and the Holy Spirit, the church will continue to guide persons to act on God’s gift of faith and God’s call to repentance.
We believe the lifelong journey of faith is always challenging the faithful to be more and more in conformity to the Biblical call to live in righteousness and to demonstrate new life in Christ.
We fully acknowledge all people fall short of the glory of God and all sin is forgiven through faith in our merciful and loving Lord. At the same time, we seek to teach and live a way of life in conformity to the way of Christ as taught by the Word of God, which is the rule of faith and life for every Christian.
We fully acknowledge this stance may from time to time be in conflict with the politics of nation, state, the ways of our society and an individual’s understandings or desires. Yet even in this, we seek to graciously welcome all persons who seek Christ. Reflecting Christ we seek to be forgiving, loving and supportive of each other, as all of us together seek to live in and into the ways of Christ.
In the above, we are in agreement with Carmon Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, who was quoted in the AP Progress article as saying, “The new definition (of marriage) was a repudiation of the Bible and approved ‘what God does not bless.'”
Our hope with this open letter’s clarification is to continue almost 200 years of serving the Clearfield community, as we continue God’s people supporting the biblical call to both faith and repentance.
May the peace of Christ be yours,
Rev. J. Robert Mellgard
The Presbyterian Church of Clearfield