Presbyterian Church Redefines Marriage To Include Same Sex Couples

After a nationwide vote, the Presbyterian Church of the U.S. has redefined marriage to include the union of same sex couples. With this action, they have become the largest Protestant organization to accept gay marriage and allow for the performance of Christian marriage ceremonies for same sex couples.

Photo courtesy of Scrape TV
Photo courtesy of Scrape TV

“The new definition was endorsed last year by the church General Assembly, or top legislative body, but required approval from a majority of the denomination’s 171 regional districts, or presbyteries. The critical 86th “yes” vote came Tuesday night from the Palisades Presbytery in New Jersey.”

“After all regional bodies vote and top Presbyterian leaders officially accept the results, the change will take effect June 21. The denomination has nearly 1.8 million members and about 10,000 congregations.”

Rev. Robin White, a leader of More Light Presbyterians,?leading advocates for?LGBT acceptance within the church, stated,

“So many families headed by LGBTQ couples have been waiting for decades to enter this space created for their families within their church communities.”

Rev. Randy Bush, based in Pittsburgh, serves as the co-moderator of the board for Covenant Network, a pro-LGBT church group, stated,

“This is a glorious day for the church and for LGBT people who have been seeking full inclusion here for decades.?

The Presbyterians have been leading the way with regards to acceptance of gay marriage. The church?has made provisions?for ordaining gay ministers. Since last year they?have?permitted ministers to preside at gay weddings where the congregation approves and the church is?in a state where same sex marriages have been legalized.

A record of the current status shows that the majority of “No” votes are emanating from – you guessed it – the southern states.

The Covenant Network offers the following in response to this positive news,

“The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is grateful that with today’s presbytery votes, a majority of the 171 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have approved an amendment to the church’s Book of Order that describes marriage as ?a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.?”

And,

“The change aligns the church’s constitution with a reality that has long been true: Both same-gender and opposite-gender couples have been living in relationships that demonstrate covenant faithfulness, shared discipleship, and mutual love. We rejoice that all couples can now see those relationships solemnized before God and the Christian community in marriage, at the discretion of ministers and sessions. Presbyteries will continue to vote on the amendment over the next few months, and the change will become effective June 21, 2015.”

I am glad to see these tremendous strides being taken within?a Christian church. To so many people – straight, gay, transgendered, whatever – their faith is an important part of who they are. To be denied the ability to join in matrimony with the person that you love, regardless of gender, is a difficult stone to swallow.

Kudos to the Presbyterians for starting this change to their core definition within their constitution and for those members that voted to enact this change.