I favor what is numbered Overture 23. It fits the flow of chapter 16 thematically, linguistically and logically.  A particular strength of Overture 23 is that it addresses the current error (calling oneself a gay/SSA/homosexual Christian); yet it also addresses any type of error where church officers may identify with other specific sins that could be called an “identity marker.”

There’s an “elephant in the room” in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) today. It’s all about the issue of identity—are some a “gay Christian,” a “homosexual Christian,” a “same sex attracted Christian,” etc.?

This issue will be prominently before the 49^th PCA General Assembly.  Commissioners (made up of ministers and elders) will converge on Birmingham, Alabama to make extremely important decisions on issues of significant theological, pastoral, and ecclesiastical importance.

Most people have heard of the “elephant in the room” as a reference to a topic or issue that no one really wants to name but that EVERYONE knows is present.  Everyone steps around “the elephant” ensuring that “the elephant” is given plenty of space.  This behavior is actually very effective in guaranteeing “the elephant” will never be addressed.  Leave the elephant in the room long enough and the room will not be habitable.  Some might suggest just shoveling out the elephant manure to make the room as livable as possible.  We all know that is a losing proposition.

So, what can be done?  Someone must make everyone look at the elephant, someone must walk up and slap the beast on the rump and say, “Folks! This is an elephant, and we can either live with it or we must begin thinking about how to deal with it.  And when the elephant is out of the room, we need to ensure that elephants don’t wander back in again.”

What’s the question before the PCA? In light of some current issues in our culture, how is the church to address the qualifications for present or future officers who choose to identify themselves by some besetting sins or temptations or inclinations. Also, how should the church those who teach acceptable views regarding that may be sinful inclinations and actions for others to hold or practice?

There four overtures before the 49^th General Assembly seeking to amend chapter 16 of the Book of Church Order (BCO).  I’m in favor of adding an amendment to the BCO that will fit the emphasis and flow in BCO 16. These proposed amendments are intended to support what the BCO already says but include wording that addresses current issues. And further, I favor an overture that will not be so narrow that it fails to anticipate address issues that will likely arise in the future.

I favor what is numbered Overture 23. It fits the flow of chapter 16 thematically, linguistically and logically.  A particular strength of Overture 23 is that it addresses the current error (calling oneself a gay/SSA/homosexual Christian); yet it also addresses any type of error where church officers may identify with other specific sins that could be called an “identity marker.”

Uniquely, Overture 23 (and Overture 20) addresses what officers in the PCA are permitted to teach others regarding any type of false identity.  Officers are NOT permitted to hold to or “teach that it is acceptable for Christians to identify or describe themselves” with sinful thoughts,  inclinations and/or actions

We MUST deal with the elephant.  Any overture that does not deal with identifying as a “gay Christian” (as helpful as it may otherwise be) is not addressing what has caused so much turmoil and disunity in the PCA over the last 4 years. Overture 23 promotes excellent wording to guide the church now and in the future.

[Identity and identify are NOT difficult to understand nor are these words frightening! We all know what it means to identify.  However, if it distresses people, use “self-profess.”]

Here is the proposed wording of the present Overture 23 that would become BCO 16-4 if approved:

Those whom God calls to bear office in His Church shall demonstrate maturity of faith and growing conformity to Jesus Christ. While these office bearers will see spiritual perfection only in glory, they will continue in this life to confess and to mortify remaining sins. Thus, those who identify or describe themselves according to their specific sins, or who teach that it is acceptable for Christians to identify or describe themselves in such a manner, shall not be approved for service by any court of Christ’s Church.

Bryant Hansen is a Minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is Senior Pastor of First PCA in Prattville, Ala.