Presbyterians Allow Gay Ordination

Yesterday, after 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to allow openly gay and lesbian people to become ordained as ministers. They join several other mainline Protestant churches, including the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church, in allowing the ordination of gay people. Jimmy Creech, a former Methodist minister, and author of Adam's Gift, is pleased by the decision, saying, "Yesterday’s vote by the Minnesota Presbytery of Presbyterian Church, USA is major step forward for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person in mainline Protestant churches.  I’m especially happy that three of the five presbyteries in North Carolina voted for inclusion, with only one voting against.  The fifth presbytery, which has voted for inclusion in past years, will vote this weekend.  The movement to end the church’s persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is progressing!" Creech's ordination credentials were revoked by The United Methodist Church after he performed same-gender commitment ceremonies. His book is a memoir about how he came to suport the right of gay people to marry and what happened when he fought the church. The Methodist Church continues to forbid gay and lesbian people from becoming ordained and from marrying. They will vote again on the issue at their General Conference next year, but as for the outcome of the vote, Creech says simply, "I anticipate no change." Read Adam's Gift to learn about the history of the fight for gay and lesbian recognition and rights within faith communities. It is an eye-opening and inspiring read.