The NAPC overture calls for a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit candidates who identify as homosexual and experience same-sex attraction from being ordained in the EPC. During the November 15 Presbytery meeting, Presbytery officials apparently used a series of procedural maneuvers to prevent the NAPC Overture from being considered for a vote.

The Presbytery of the Alleghenies acted improperly by not allowing an overture addressing same sex attraction to be considered for a vote, according to a ruling by the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC).

In the January 15 ruling, the PJC sustained in part a complaint brought by New Albany Presbyterian Church (NAPC) in Columbus, Ohio. NAPC elders claimed that their overture was handled “wrongly and improperly” by the Presbytery of the Alleghenies, even though the overture had been ruled in order by the Chief Parliamentarian of the EPC.

The NAPC overture calls for a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit candidates who identify as homosexual and experience same-sex attraction from being ordained in the EPC. During the November 15 Presbytery meeting, Presbytery officials apparently used a series of procedural maneuvers to prevent the NAPC Overture from being considered for a vote.

In particular, Presbytery officials claimed the overture violated a so-called “gentleman’s agreement” approved by the 44th General Assembly. At that Assembly, commissioners approved the creation of an Ad-Interim Committee on Same-Sex Attraction. As part of that motion, the commissioners expressed their “opinion and wish,” that no action be taken on same sex attraction until the committee completed its report in 2026.

In addition, Presbytery officials included a letter in the meeting packet written by GA Moderator David Strunk and Victor Jones, Chair of the National Leadership Team. The letter cited the “gentleman’s agreement” and urged that no action be taken regarding same sex attraction until the final draft of the Ad-Interim Committee report was acted upon by the 46th General Assembly.

In the end, the Presbytery of the Alleghenies voted 52-31 to deny a first reading of the NAPC overture. In their complaint, the NAPC elders claimed these procedures violated their constitutional right to submit an overture for consideration.

The PJC ruling acknowledged that the “opinion and wish” of a General Assembly cannot bind or restrict a church from presenting a lawful overture for consideration. The ruling granted relief to the New Albany Church, directing the Presbytery of the Alleghenies to place the overture on its agenda at the February 28 meeting for discussion, debate, and a vote.

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