LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a rare joint action, the presidents of all 12 seminaries affiliated with the Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) endorsed a task force proposal for overcoming disputes over homosexuality.
The proposal, up for approval at next year's assembly, urges that no policy changes be made while Presbyterians work for closer understanding.
However, 10 conservative Presbyterian groups and 350 individuals say the task force plan would let regional bodies "disregard explicit constitutional standards," including the national church's requirement that clergy and lay officers limit sexual activity to heterosexual marriage. Their protest said that would disregard biblical teaching and "promote schism."