In a strongly worded letter to Presbyterian World Mission Director Hunter Farrell, the moderator of a conservative offshoot of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia has reaffirmed that church’s partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) despite its rejection of the PC(USA)’s current ordination standard allowing for the ordination of sexually active unmarried persons, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered church members.
“We reject this [homosexual] conduct however it is expressed, but at the same time express the appreciation for people as human beings,” wrote Martha Raquel Niño Duran, moderator of the Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia.
“…We have different points of view, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will continue the commitment of brotherhood to keep working for the benefit of the people of God,” Duran added.
“While the rejection is not ideal, the model of ‘reject the action, but maintain unity’ is a strong message,” Farrell told the Presbyterian News Service. “This determination by our Colombian brothers and sisters is well worth sharing more broadly with the PC(USA) because even a very conservative partner has chosen to maintain relationship despite significant theological difference.”
The full text of Duran’s letter to Farrell, dated Oct. 4:
“Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” ― Psalm 37:5.
In my capacity as Moderator of the Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia, receive warm greetings and our best wishes for peace and prosperity in all and every one of the activities undertaken for the benefit of the Church of Christ.
The Synod Council, at its meeting held in the month of June of the current year in the city of Barranquilla, made the following agreement in relation to the changes of the PC (USA)’s ordination standards:
“Agreement No. 090: The Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia has been part of the Presbyterian Church’s conservative wing in the world, which enacts the principles described in the Holy Bible on the integrity of the human being as the Lord Jesus Christ, Who appreciates every human being as a person, but does not share attitudes such as corruption, social injustice, drug trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, and homosexuality among others. The Reformed Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia rejects the position of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in relation to the ordination of gay ministers. We reject this conduct however it is expressed, but at the same time express the appreciation for people as human beings.”
With reference to this issue, we have different points of view, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will continue the commitment of brotherhood to keep working for the benefit of the people of God.