The Central Florida Presbytery has dismissed two churches”The First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach”so their congregations could join denominations that are unified in agreeing that LGBTs are not eligible for ordination.
The controversy stems from language in the national denomination's constitution, stating that in order to serve any church office, members must “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.” In 2011, the General Assembly approved an amendment that would override that language and allow partnered gay members to be ordained. A new denomination formed immediately afterward for congregations that wanted to leave the ministry.
According to Rev. Dr. Paige M. McRight, Executive Presbytery for Central Florida Presbytery, the language was originally considered for removal because some states allow gay marriage and some do not. It was an effort to promote peace within the denomination.
“It turns out removal of the language has itself been a great cause for distress,” McRight said.
She said the two dismissed churches talked with the local Presbytery about the decision for a year before their dismissal was granted at a June meeting. The Central Florida Presbytery did vote to put the language back in, which because same-sex marriage is illegal in Florida, means LGBTs are not eligible for ordained leadership positions.
Still, the dismissed churches congregations “preferred another denomination, where domination-wide unity around this issue is that no gay, lesbian or transgender person is eligible for ordination,” McRight said.
The issue has caused a split at the First Church of Orlando.
“There is a continuing congregation in the presbytery who are former members of that church,” she said. “They are currently meeting at Park Lake Presbyterian church while they look for a more permanent location. They are about to call an interim pastor who will begin work the first of July.”
The congregation is called Orlando Presbyterian Church and that pastor will be named the last week of June.
McRight said when the Presbytery dismissed First Church of Orlando, they recognized Orlando Presbyterian Church.
“They believe the way the [national] Presbyterian Church is organized and makes decision is the right way to go, with openness toward all types of people and freedom of expression for people with regard to their theological views,” she said.
After the churches were dismissed, local media reported McRight's retirement, tying the two issues together. McRight said the timing of her retirement is a coincidence and that she'd planned for two years to retire on her 66th birthday, July 29. She opted not to comment on the LGBT issues the church is facing, because “at the end of the day, I get to be the presbyter to all the people so I don't share my personal views.”
