Session Actions

Session's Latest Responses to Ordination Standards

September 19, 2011

Dear FPC Members and Friends,

At its meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, the Session approved three motions in response to recent denominational changes in ordination standards (specifically, the passage of Amendment 10A). These constitutional changes mark, for many of us, the culmination of many years of incremental movement by the PC(USA) away from the authority of Scripture and have raised distress in quarters of our congregation and the denomination. We want you to be aware of what we decided.

1. Session voted to re-affirm three historic statements it has affirmed earlier in its history ("Witness to Sexual Morality" of 4/11/1991; "A Declaration for Faith and Life" of 4/12/1994; and "Union in Christ" of 1/9/2002).

While they reflect the specific debates over the ordination standards of their time, these past statements are consistent with our core convictions today and they show the historic continuity of our biblical values and priorities. To review these documents, please click on the following links or contact the church office for hard copies:

2. Session voted to endorse the attached statement entitled "Biblical Standards for Christian Leaders."

Biblical Standards for Christian Leaders

Slightly modified from a document provided by sister churches, this statement makes clear what we believe Scripture requires for our church leaders. It is also useful for leadership nomination and training in our congregation.

3. Session voted to withhold our per capita apportionment to the synod and General Assembly levels of the PC(USA), starting with the 4th quarter payment. However, we will continue to pay our per capita to the Plains and Peaks Presbytery.

We believe this sends to the higher governing bodies of our denomination a clear, unambiguous statement about our deep concern. At the same time, it lets us remain engaged in productive discussion and shared ministry within our presbytery. Many of the smaller churches depend on the presbytery's consistent support to remain viable. As the Plains and Peaks Presbytery has voted to add the sexual standards clause to the sexual misconduct policy for all churches in the presbytery (at least for now), we felt we should not remove our financial support from ministry to the smaller churches while we are still making our way forward.

With the recent meeting in Minnesota of the Fellowship of Presbyterians (a gathering of like-minded congregations), further follow-up meetings scheduled in coming months, and ongoing discussions with sister churches in our presbytery, the situation is evolving and requires continued prayer and discernment. Please keep us in your prayers and watch the Flame newsletter, the weekly church bulletin, and the church's website for more information as it becomes available. You may also contact the Session with questions and comments by emailing .

Yours in Christ's service,

The FPC Session