Resolution on Ordination Standards

Whereas the new language for the Book of Order (G-6.0106b) states:
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body
responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003).
Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

Whereas “all aspects of life” includes, but is not limited to, our relationships to other people, including our marriages, our patterns of behavior, attitudes, and actions,

Whereas Scripture and the Confessions are clear in teaching that leaders are to live according to the direction of Jesus Christ, which includes repentance and separation from lifestyle practices that are clearly rejected by God (I Cor. 6:9-11, Gal. 5:16-26, Book of Confessions 4.108, 9.47),

Whereas Scripture and the Confessions define marriage as being between “male and female” (Matt. 19:4-6, Eph. 5:31-33, Book of Confessions 5.246, 6.131, 6.133)

Whereas the new Form of Government states:
…it is incumbent upon [Church] officers, and upon the whole Church, in whose name
they act, to censure or cast out the erroneous and scandalous, observing, in all cases, the
rules contained in the Word of God. (F-3.0103)

Whereas Grace Presbyterian Church is committed, as a Presbyterian and Reformed church, to live in accordance with the teaching of Holy Scripture and be guided by the Reformed Confessions, which teach clearly that the above standard of behavior is one that is held out to all those who confess Jesus Christ;

Be it therefore resolved that Grace Presbyterian Church will continue to maintain the biblical, historic, and Reformed teaching of the church universal regarding the call of the Christian to a life of holiness which includes the call to live either with fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness, and further that Grace Presbyterian will require that all those ordained to church office must live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness, and that those who do not or will not live so shall not be ordained and/or installed as ministers, deacons, or elders.

Approved by the Session on the 20th day of June in the Year of Our Lord 2011.