With the hours ticking away before Saturday night’s Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly moderator election, the six candidates have been busy rallying support.

In addition to manning their campaign booths at the Minneapolis Convention Center the days before the election, the candidates also visited various group events the night before the election. At one campaign stop, the candidates took about 15 minutes to introduce themselves and explain what sets them apart.

The six candidates, many of whom were joined by the vice moderator running mates, are: The Rev. James Belle, pastor of Holy Trinity Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia; Elder Cynthia Bolbach, an elder at First Presbyterian in Arlington, Va.; the Rev. Jin Kim, pastor of Church of All Nations in Minneapolis; the Rev. Maggie Lauterer, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Burnsville; the Rev. Eric Nielsen, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Eau Claire, Wis.; and the Rev. Julia Leeth, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc, Calif.

Their comments at the Covenant Network Commissioners Convocation dinner, most of which focused on the ordination standards outlined in G-6.0106b of the PCUSA Book of Order, included:

Belle said: “One of the main things that I hope to accomplish, in whatever capacity I work in the church, is to get people to stop putting labels on one another; where they can dismiss one another; and see one another that so we can concentrate on being the family of God. … If we see one another, truly work together, I believe that we will help get our church going not just in the way we think is best, but the way God thinks.”

Bolbach, who stated that she has been a supporter of the Covenant Network before there was a Covenant Network, also said: “I have been a strong advocate of removing G-6.01016b (the fidelity and chastity standard for elected officers) from the Book of Order. I think it is a stain on the Gospel. I think it does not carry out the inclusivity that we need. And as a lawyer I think it’s pragmatically stupid because it means that we lose many faithful and committed people just because of their sexual orientation.” She added that she respects many of those with whom she differs and urged the group to continue talking to those who support the G-6 standard.

Kim, who described his relationship with the Covenant Network as a lovers’ quarrel and added that he’s been to six of its conferences, said his interaction with the group is an example of what it means to be Presbyterian. “For hundreds of years, we have fashioned a way of conversing with one another – a way to discern life together, a way of understanding the people of God as the family of God.” He then expressed his support for the Peace Unity and Purity Task Force, whose recommendations provide a local option upholding ordination standard.

Lauterer described the Covenant Network as the Jiminy Cricket on the shoulder of the church. “In our wooden Presbyterian way, our greatest goal is to be a real live church, isn’t it? Vital, full of grace, doing the will of God. And to get there we need the voice of a Jiminy like you, to speak to our conscience and our faithfulness.” She cited her experience in journalism, teaching, preaching and leadership as a benefit to the denomination.

Leeth told of her family, and how the Church’s behaviors and interactions have been a big obstacle. She then added that the world outside sees that the Church is not behaving well and not loving one another. “It’s a very strong panel, and whoever wins, the church will win,” she said of her opponents. “We’re at a crucial time because we need to be figuring out a way to not wrestle with what God’s Word says to us, but how that plays out. It could be on the ordination standards – you may come to a different stance than what I come to – but how we have those conversations and how we interact is crucial.”

Nielsen shared with the group that he and the Covenant Network are on the same page on ordination standards. “It is my firm belief that the dissension that has torn the fabric of our denomination has come about because in adding G6.0106b, we took a historic departure from our basic Presbyterian principles. … It should once again be the role of sessions and presbyteries alone to examine candidates for ordained office solely to determine their readiness for ordination.” He confessed to the group that he voted in favor of G-6.0106b, and said he wishes he could take back that vote.

At the Presbyterians for Renewal event held the same night candidates sought to identify their points of connection with the denomination’s centrist and evangelical constituency. Belle, Lauderer and Nielson all pointed to PFR’s Wee Kirk ministry, which benefits pastors of small congregations across the country. Bolbach talked about her personal relationships with two PFR-related pastors in her presbytery. Kim noted his prior service on the PFR board of directors and service as the organization’s president and then went on to explain the “prophetic voice” he uses to urge evangelicals to scrutinize their own proclivity toward idolatry. Leeth acknowledged being a room full of friends and shared her hopes for mutual service.

There will be a “Meet the Candidates” session at the Convention Center from 12 p.m. Saturday, and the moderator election is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Follow the election live on Twitter (@preslayman).