One local Presbyterian congregation has asked its governing authority to make a sister Cincinnati church stop ordaining gays and lesbians for lay ministry or leave the denomination.

        Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church filed the “overture” with the Presbytery of Cincinnati, asking the ruling body to make Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church clergy and lay leaders follow church law or renounce membership.

Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Mount Auburn countered that their inclusion of homosexuals in ministry is in line with Jesus' teachings and that Presbyterian law also allows church members to follow their conscience.

        On May 14, the measures go before the 220 to 240 voting members of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, which represents 83 churches and 22,000 adult members across the Tristate.

        The meeting likely will attract national attention as other faiths — from the Roman Catholics to the United Methodists — continue to grapple with the role of gays and lesbians in the church. The Cincinnati case also could set the tone for the rest of the Presbyterian denomination and its 2.5 million members nationally on how they deal with homosexuality.

        “It's unusual for a church to say, "You need not be in the fellowship I'm in,'” says the Rev. Sam Roberson, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

        “This is not something we're going to decide on May 14 for all of Christendom and all of Presbyterians. But it is a critical time. What we do or don't do will be a prime direction for how people are going.”

        This is the first such test of the denomination's constitution since an amendment failed earlier this year that would have allowed the ordination of gays and lesbians as deacons and elders.

        In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), deacons traditionally head up congregational care, while elders serve as members of the ruling administrative body or session.

        Mount Auburn Presbyterian began ordaining gays and lesbians in 1991. The church also conducts same-sex union services and is one of the most vocal congregations in the country in support of the inclusion of homosexuals in ministry.

        About two-fifths of its elders and deacons are homosexual, a reflection of the 275-member church, says the Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken.

        “What we're doing is protecting the precious legacy of the Presbyterian church — the legacy of the freedom and liberty to interpret the Bible,” he says.

        On its Web site (www.mtauburnpresby.org), the church pledges non-compliance with part of the denomination's Book of Order and promises to continue its practice of inclusion.

        Defiance of church law is at the heart of the overture by Madeira-Silverwood, says the Rev. Tom Sweets.

        “The issue is, "Do we live by this constitution or not?'”

        His 900-member church is not closed to homosexuals, he says.

        Still, “We will not call something right, which the Bible calls sin,” the Rev. Mr. Sweets says. “The whole point of the church is that we're people caught up in sin, and we need help. And that help comes through Christ.”

        The Presbyterian form of government is part of what attracted Julia Arostegy to Mount Auburn. The denomination offers room for different interpretations of church law and expression of conscience, the Westwood woman says.

        “We do all the things other congregations do. We baptize, and we bury. We have social activities,” says Ms. Arostegy, clerk of session. Still, “We see this as an opportunity to bear witness ... that everybody should be included. There's room at the table for everyone.”

        The Presbytery of Cincinnati has a number of options when it meets in two weeks. It could accept or deny either church's overture, make amendments or form an administrative commission to further investigate. Whatever decision, the battle is expected to scale the church hierarchy, eventually landing before the Office of the General Assembly in Louisville, Ky.

        Regardless of the outcome, the Rev. Dr. Roberson fears the debate will overshadow the other missions and ministries of the denomination.

        “Do I think it's really helpful to us or good for us? No.”

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