Third Presbyterian Church More Light Statement (1987)
Believing that we must work for a more inclusive church, we the
Session of Third Presbyterian Church join with other Presbyterian
congregations and formally identify ourselves as a More Light
Church, adopting the following statement:
We believe, with Paul, that as Christians we are many members,
yet one body in Christ and members of one another. We affirm,
as in the Book of Order, that the sole criterion for membership
in this church is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior. We warmly welcome all who are seeking God and/or have
found reconciliation to God and neighbors through Jesus Christ,
regardless of racial-ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation
or other human condition. We extend to all members the full rights,
privileges and responsibilities of membership.
We commit ourselves to:
- Work for healing and reconciliation within and beyond our
church.
- Communicate to all people in our community that they are
welcome in our congregation.
- Seek to make our whole denomination more inclusive.
The Session of Third Presbyterian Church reaffirms its commitment
to this 1987 statement. We will continue to instruct our Nominating
Committees to be guided by the Holy Spirit in seeking out the best
qualified leadership based on personal commitment to Jesus Christ
and the church, and on individual gifts and skills.
We will work to overturn Amendment B by cooperating with other churches
in Genesee Valley Presbytery in the drafting and passage of an
overture designed to reclaim our heritage as an inclusive community
in Jesus Christ. We will further appoint a Session task force
to seek out, evaluate, and recommend way that we can bring Presbyterians
together locally and nationally in this effort. As part of the
Presbytery of the Genesee Valley, Third Presbyterian Church will
offer appropriate support and advocate on behalf of other churches
of the presbytery who, by reason of faith and conscience, feel
unable to comply with Amendment B.
Finally, the Third Presbyterian Session seeks to affirm all of
our members in their individuality and uniqueness. We rejoice
in our diversity, and we pledge ourselves to work for the acceptance
of all people in our community of faith as we seek to give glory
to God.
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