According to a survey Presbyterian elders reject by a 2-1 margin an amendment being voted on by presbyteries that would delete the "fidelity and chastity" ordination standard from the Presbyterian Church

Christian Century, Jan 2, 2002

According to a survey Presbyterian elders reject by a 2-1 margin an amendment being voted on by presbyteries that would delete the "fidelity and chastity" ordination standard from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but ministers split evenly on the issue. The findings of a recent Presbyterian Panel survey were released December 17.

The question was: "This year's General Assembly sent to presbyteries for their vote an amendment to the PCUSA constitution to permit each presbytery to ordain, at its discretion, sexually active gays and lesbians as ministers. Do you want your presbytery to approve or reject this amendment?" Among elders, 63 percent said "reject"; 27 percent, "approve"; and 9 percent, "uncertain." For ministers the tally was 46 percent "reject" and 48 percent "approve"--a statistically insignificant difference. Six percent were "uncertain." "The results suggest that elders hold the balance of power on this issue," said Jack Marcum, survey administrator. While all ministers are eligible to vote at presbytery meetings, only a small minority of elders can do so.