Arkansas Presbyterians OK rule on ordination of gays (vote 116-64)

[jsamuel]

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuar/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1472921§ionID=1

A group of Arkansas Presbyterians has endorsed a church constitutional amendment that would allow non-celibate homosexuals to serve as ordained ministers, elders and deacons.

The 116-64 vote for the rule change within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) took place after a debate among the Presbytery of Arkansas, which covers northern and central parts of the state. The denomination's national General Assembly approved the amendment in June; the measure goes into effect if a majority of the church's 173 presbyteries approve it. The Presbytery of Arkansas has roughly 15,300 members. It narrowly rejected a similar proposal in 2001.

Presbyterian Church congregations in southern Arkansas are part of the Presbytery of the Pines, which also includes congregations in northern Louisiana. At a meeting earlier this month, commissioners from southern Arkansas Presbyterian congregations voted 36-34 against the proposed change.

Church chooses gay man as deacon
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/253238/

The largest Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation in Arkansas on Sunday elected a homosexual as deacon, a move that conflicts with the denomination's constitution.

Little Rock's Second Presbyterian Church, which has 1,700 members, elected a slate of a dozen adult deacons, including openly gay member Michael Upson.

The candidates ran unopposed and the slate was approved by voice vote. Only a smattering of "no" votes was heard, and the outcome was greeted with some applause.

[VAliberal]

1. The momentum for change looks good

Presbyteries (regional governing bodies) that voted several years ago to prohibit lgbt ordination are 'flipping' this go round and affirming language that would allow for gays & lesbians to serve as ministers, elders & deacons in the Presbyterian Church.

Voting Updates
http://yeson08b.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-voting-summary-with-updates.html

A Progressive PCUSA minister's blog - articles of interest can be found on the sidebar:
http://www.shuckandjive.org/

[Bill McBlueState]

2. that's good news

But it bugs me that mainstream white Protestants are often followers rather than leaders on civil rights issues.

[gratuitous]

3. Arkansas? Ouch, Fred, that's gonna leave a mark!

The tide is turning, and the shit is burning.