Dear Editor:

The Presbyterian News Service has recently published an article concerning the defeat of Amendment A. In the article, Mr. Jerry Van Marter makes a very curious observation.

The amendment’s defeat ensures, for at least one more year, that officers of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will continue to be required to practice “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” [italics mine]

What makes this such a curious statement is that I believe Mr. Van Marter has unknowingly expressed something much larger than his simple attempt to share news about the vote on A. He has shared what I believe may be a growing attitude of our denomination that frankly scares me. I am increasingly alarmed that the PCUSA is not directly concerned about the integrity of the relationships of its officers. Mr. Van Marter assured me that this was not his meaning, yet I wonder if it is between the lines.

I am not referring to judicial concern. I am not speaking about concern once the "sin" has been committed, though, even that may be debated I suppose. I am asking if the denomination really wants to provide a standard to which its officers are required to live? Does the PCUSA care if I am unfaithful to my wife? If I were single, would the PCUSA care if I were promiscuous?

We are called upon to serve as shepherd and guides to our flocks. We are called upon to be examples and counselors to people who are hurting and struggling. How can we be pastors to them if our lives are not faithful in relationships as presented in Scripture, and how seriously can we take being faithful in our relationships if the denomination in which we minister is not directly concerned that we are? We cannot be reckless counselors and immoral leaders because we are caring for the lives of others as well as our own.

When my wife and I were preparing to be married, we sought premarital counseling from the PCUSA pastor who would perform the wedding service. When my wife asked his advice on cultivating a healthy marriage, he responded that he did not know the answer to that since he had been divorced multiple times himself. What is the problem here? Where was his help and support? How is the church providing guidance and nurturing encouragement to those of us who are committed to maintaining healthy traditional marital relationships? How is the church supporting those pastors who are single and feel the daily pressure to give in to the human desires? Is the church encouraging Christ's claim to faithfulness and chastity given to us in Scripture?

At least for another year.

My wife and I would like to thank the PCUSA for requiring us to be faithful to one another, for at least another year, as we serve in the church. Next year, who knows? I hope we will still at least be friends.

There are those who do not think we should all abide by the same standard, which I believe translates into no standard. This helps no one. My prayer is that the church will grow in its support for integrity in healthy traditional relationships. I believe the future of our denomination depends on it.