by Brian Ellison | Oct 12, 2014 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Sermon
A Sermon on Marriage Equality and the Church Layton E. Williams Matthew 22:1-14 Springfield Regional Conference Covenant Network of Presbyterians October 11, 2014 I imagine that one day, I will preach a sermon on this text and have countless illustrations to choose...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 9, 2014 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Sermon
So for four weeks I am going to be speaking about issues that relate to marriage and singleness, in this time that we are re-examining marriage as Presbyterians. If we don’t know who we are and cannot understand ourselves in the relationships of our lives, then the...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 7, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
By Brian Ellison Long before I came to serve as its executive director, through generations of leadership and mission statements, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has always had two goals: inclusion and unity. We have long believed the church will be stronger...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 15, 2014 | Amendment 14-F, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
By Tricia Dykers Koenig The 221st General Assembly took two steps toward honoring the covenant of marriage for all couples regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – an authoritative interpretation (AI) of the current section W-4.9000 in the Book of Order,...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 11, 2014 | Amendment 14-F, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
By Brian Ellison Change is all around us. Control of the U.S. Senate has changed hands, representing the kind of political shift that is repeatedly part of shaping our history. Scientists have announced the newest evidence of climate change; 2014 was the hottest year...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 9, 2014 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
September 9, 2014 Pastor who brought suit that defined PC(USA)’s distinction between marriage and holy unions, repents of his position and seeks forgiveness Scarborough, NY – “I am here to ask for forgiveness from the Presbytery and...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 8, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions
Marriage matters to persons who are beloved members of our churches – and of the human family. Listen to Chris and Andy tell their story: Andy and Chris are members of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, where Andy is also a ruling elder. They had...
by Brian Ellison | Aug 25, 2014 | Amendment 14-F, Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions
The 221st General Assembly (2014) proposed an amendment to section W-4.9000 in the Directory for Worship, replacing the current text with language that will better serve the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today. As Amendment 14-F is considered by the presbyteries in the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 24, 2014 | 219th GA (2010), Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
We’ve heard from many congregations, pastors and mid-council staff that it would be helpful to have some clarity about what the 221st General Assembly did — and did not do — about marriage. To assist the church in processing the meaning of the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 19, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Covenant Network News, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
The following statement was issued by the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians: The Covenant Network of Presbyterians rejoices in today’s historic actions by the 221st General Assembly allowing same-sex couples freedom to marry in the...