A Note from Timothy
In July 2025 the amendments 24A and 24C were ratified by a majority of the presbyteries and now there is important work for us to do to live into the examinations of elders, deacons, and pastors.
Here’s what we know:
Denominational leadership is unlikely to provide further clarity as to what the amendments mean or what is required prior to the next General Assembly.
There are no new vows to answer or any required answers of any questions.
There is still a great deal of uncertainty, and we do best when we are in conversation with each other in uncertain times.
The amendments hold up Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, including “freedom of conscience” and “mutual forbearance,” and the new expanded language of non-discrimination still includes “theological conviction.”
The resources and guidance we provided at our 2025 National Gathering Discussion of the Amendments are still current and can be accessed here.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to move forward. It will vary from presbytery to presbytery, even session to session. But we do believe there are themes that are important regardless of your context.
We believe there is an opportunity to lean into:
Theological Conviction: now is the time to be clear about your theological convictions. That is still a protected category in the anti-discrimination list. We are evangelicals. We are here. We have historic, orthodox convictions. Yet, how we hold those convictions is crucial. TFC seeks to be faithful colleagues in ministry. We seek to live into the “Big Tent” of the PC(USA). We believe the way we believe is just as important as what we believe.
Robust Ordination Training: now is the time to revisit, revise, and reinforce your ordination training. Prepare your elder, deacon, and pastor candidates. This article in Theology Matters discusses good advice regarding the amendments and how to faithfully train candidates for church offices.
Relationship Building: now is the time to work as a colleague with your presbytery’s COM and Executive Presbyters. Be a peacemaker. Offer resources and participate fruitfully in the examination process. Help to form the examination process in ways that will support a big tent.
These amendments create space for further conversation about ways to be faithful. Now is not the time to compromise on our convictions, but to enter into those spaces with clarity AND the extravagant love of Jesus. May others know us by our love.
Stay in touch with us. Let us know what you’re learning–where are the pain points, what are the wins. As you will read about next month, we are very excited about the opportunity to develop a leadership pipeline of new and younger leaders, to gather pastors in lifegiving community, and to further our mission partnerships in our neighborhoods and in the world.
There is much more for us to do together to remain faithful to our calling to proclaim the good news of Jesus. You heard us say before… at TFC we provide clarity and community in these times of uncertainty.
We are evangelical.
We are missional.
We are relational.
And we are with you.
Rev. Timothy Scoonover
Timothy Scoonover is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Moncks Corner, SC and serves as president on The Fellowship Community’s Board of Directors.