Inclusive

We have formally advocated for the inclusion of people of all gender identities in the life of the church since the latter half of the 20th century.   

In 1978, the General Assembly (the highest governing unit in the denomination, explicitly expressed support for gay and lesbian persons, but explicitly excluded them from leadership roles  [see side panel].  

In 1990, a “Definitive Guidance” policy was approved by our General Assembly;  this action prohibited ordination of active gay and lesbian members (as it was then termed: "self affirming" and "practicing") to leadership roles within the church.

In the 1990s, the General Assembly received many overtures from Presbyteries across the country advocating positive recognition of gay sexual orientation, calling for:

• removal of the 1978 prohibitions

• recognition of faithful same‑sex relationships

• full inclusion of gay and lesbian Presbyterians in church life

While these formally asked the GA to affirm rather than condemn gay sexual orientation, it was not until 2024 that these affirmations were specifically incorporated into the denomination's governing documents -- even knowing that conservative congregations and ministers would then likely leave the denomination.  Some did.

 The Old South Haven Church community has remained firm in its commitment to full inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks in the life of the church. 

For a more comprehensive history, visit:

🔗The History and Development of the "Definitive Guidance" (1990) in Relation to the 1978 Statement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Session Minutes, June 11, 1978 pp. 292-293.

“There was much discussion on the action of the General Assembly on the subject of the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons.  The following actions were taken:

 Elder Stearns made a motion that the Session of Old South Presbyterian Church send a letter to the Long Island Presbytery to record our dissent with the action of the 190th General Assembly [1978] that prohibits the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons and to formally request that the L.I. Presbytery overture the 191st General Assembly to allow the ordination of homosexual persons if they otherwise meet the requirements of the Book of Order.  The motion was passed.

 Elder Sterns moved that the Session of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church send a letter to the L.I. Presbytery notifying it that the Session has passed the above motion on June 11, 1978, and requesting it to put on the docket for September a proposed overture to the 191st General Assembly.  The motion passed.

A motion was passed that the letter presented by Elder Wiswall, as amended, be sent to the Long Island Advance, Newsday and the New York Times.  Elder Stearns will send the letters.  

Our Statement as it Appeared in the Long Island Advance, June 22, 1978, p. 35

POLICY ON HOMOSEXUALS

The Presbyterian Church perceives homosexual people to be, like all men and women, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Recent events impel us to call attention to this compassionate attitude. The publicity given to the [Presbyterian] General Assembly guidance that homosexual people are not eligible for ordination has tended to obscure the church's firm stand against discrimination against homosexual people in such matters as employment, housing and public accommodations. The Policy Statement approved by the General Assembly last month contains the following: 

The church must turn from its fear and hatred to move toward the homosexual community in love and to welcome homosexual inquiries to its congregations. It should free them to be candid about their identity and convictions, and it should also share honestly and humbly with them in seeking the vision of God's intention for the sexual dimension of their lives...

There is room in the church for all who give honest affirmation to the vows required for membership in the church. Homosexuals who sincerely affirm 'Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I intend to be his disciple, to obey his word, and to show his love' should not be excluded from membership...

Vigilance must be exercised to oppose federal, state and local legislation that discriminates against persons on the basis of sexual orientation."

We of the Session of the Old South Haven Presbyterian Church heartily endorses these statements. We urge our community to treat homosexual people with compassion and respect. 

John R. Long, Minister
John J. Floyd, Clerk of Session
Old South Haven Presbyterian Church
Brookhaven, June 16