Tchula Presbyterian Church.

I write to ask that all of you would begin to pray for our denomination (Presbyterian Church in America) over the issue of ordination/commissioning of women to offices in the Church.

4 (FOUR) overtures from four presbyteries concerning this topic have been sent to the General Assembly to be held in June in Dallas, TX (An overture is a request for something to take place). Three of the four overtures sent this year are requests for a Study Committee to meet throughout the next year to develop a report (about women’s roles in the Church, especially dealing with the office of deacon) to be presented to the General Assembly in 2009. The fourth overture is against having a study committee to discuss this topic.

Friends, it is of the opinion of many that a study committee is not needed. Scripture is clear. The Presbyterian Church in America has been clear already in the Book of Church Order, which states that only men are to hold the offices of elder and deacon.

I am asking that you pray for wisdom and guidance to be given to the elders of the Church to handle the situation in the best way, which will work for the peace and purity of the Church.

I hope you remember our time we have spent in 2 Timothy. Let me remind you not only of an elder’s role, but our role as the body of Christ.

2 Timothy 1 - “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, Paul has already wrote Timothy in 1 Timothy 2, “8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”

We MUST stand on the foundation of the Word of God. Therefore, I plead with you to pray for our Church.