To the Commissioners of the 226th General Assembly:

We the undersigned acknowledge and value the efforts of the Presbytery of Olympia and concurring Presbyteries to promote inclusivity and uphold the dignity of all individuals within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). However, we wish to express our deep concerns and dissent regarding the proposed overture (OVT-001) to amend the Book of Order. 

The PC(USA) is a vibrant tapestry of diverse theological convictions, reflecting the richness of our shared faith. Mutual forbearance and unity are foundational pillars of the Reformed Tradition, allowing for a broad spectrum of Scripturally informed beliefs to co-exist and enrich our collective understanding of God’s mission in Jesus Christ.  Regrettably, key portions of this overture threaten to undermine these essential principles.

Specifically, the overture’s proposed changes to G-2.0104b appear to introduce an ordination question that is deeply at odds with our core Reformed tenet of freedom of conscience. Except for affirming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, each ordination question requires a commitment to a mindset, method, ethic, and practice, while allowing for plural interpretations of theology and scripture. This amendment would immediately disqualify and exclude many faithful and dedicated Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders, and Deacons from serving due to their convictions. Moreover, it risks imposing a non-negotiable and rigid standard on an issue where faithful Christians hold differing views.

Let us not forget that our predecessors resisted the urge to define essential doctrines in the early 20th century, opting instead to leave room for the Spirit, conscience, and interpretation. We must similarly resist this urge, even on matters we feel strongly about. The Church of Jesus Christ in the Presbyterian way is big enough for every person to find their place in ministry and service to the Kingdom of God. 

"Let us therefore pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding" (Romans 14:19). 

In Christ,

Rev. Alan Dyer
Spartanburg, SC

Rev. Tony Sundermeier
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Katie Sundermeier
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Patrick Johnson
Asheville, NC

Rev. Agnes Norfleet
Bryn Mawr, PA

Rev. Nicole Lock
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Emily Wright
Austin, TX

Rev. Betsy Lyles Sweetenburg
Dallas, TX

Rev. Rich Kannwischer
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Thomas Daniel
Austin, TX

Rev. Amos Disasa
Dallas, TX

Rev. Juan J. Sarmiento
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Mary Katherine Robinson
Black Mountain, NC

Rev. Brad Smith
Columbia, SC

Rev. Raymond Hylton
Washington, D.C.

Rev. Dasol Kang
Laurel Springs, NJ

Rev. Ryan Moore
Nashville, TN

Rev. Pen Peery
Charlotte, NC

Rev. Joe Clifford
Charlotte, NC

Rev. Paul Cunningham
La Jolla, CA

Rev. Brandi Drake
Darien, CT

Rev. David Powers
Memphis, TN 

Rev. Eleanor Alexander
Black Mountain, NC

Rev. Robert Johnson
Mechanicsville, VA

Rev. Jack Haberer
Kerrville, TX

Rev. George Hinman
Seattle, WA

Rev. Doug Hucke
Albuquerque, NM 

Rev. Ed Hurley
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Jonathan Miller
Moorestown, NJ

Rev. Nate Phillips
Wilmington, DE

Rev. Matthew Ruffner
Dallas, TX

Rev. Jack Baca
Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Rev. Thomas P. Sweets
Maderia, OH

Rev. Paul G. Watermulder
Burlingame, CA

Rev. H. Stanley Wood
Goleta, CA

Rev. Wes Allen
Moorestown, NJ

Rev. Chris Griggs
Glen Ellyn, IL

Rev. Rich McDermott
Littleton, CO

Rev. James Cubie
Mattituck, NY

Rev. Stuart Spencer
Moorestown, NJ

Rev. Deena Candler
Omaha, NE

Rev. Alfredo Delgado
Orange County, CA

Rev. Jim Sellrud
Northridge, CA

Rev. Jason Santos
Lake City, CO

Rev. Tom Walker
St. Simons Island, GA

Rev. Bruce Sexton
Hermiston, OR

Rev. David Renwick
Washington, DC

Rev. James Kim
Lakewood, WA

Rev. John Walker
Ottawa, IL

Rev. Mark Thomas
Princeton, NJ

Rev. Jesse Mabanglo
Montrose, CO

Rev. Lewis Galloway
Black Mountain, NC

Rev. Mike Harbert
San Fernando, CA

Rev. Michael R. Bailey
Tuscaloosa, AL

Rev. Michael McClenahan
Solana Beach, CA

Rev. Dennis Tedder
Anderson, SC

Rev. Tracy Davenport
Plano, TX

Rev. Clark Cowden
Hollywood, CA

Rev. Clint Tolbert
Perrysburg, OH

Rev. Ted Martin
Gibsonia, PA

Rev. Lillian Pak
Republic, WA

Rev. Susan Haynes
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Jason Tucker
Red Bank, NJ

Rev. Clay Allard
Dallas, TX

Rev. Chris Currie
New Orleans, LA

Rev. Richard Hanna
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Jack Heinsohn 
Blythewood, SC

Rev. George Anderson
Roanoke, VA

Rev. Rachel Fitch
Liberty, NC

Rev. Dan Baumgartner    
Santa Rosa, CA

Rev. Chesna Hinkley
New York, NY

Rev. Scott Mann
Bellevue, WA

Rev. William Upchurch
Groover, NC

Rev. Ernie Thompson
Greensboro, NC

Rev. James Friesen
Morris, IL

Rev. Raymond Garcia
Philadelphia, PA

Rev. Deborah Hollifield
Dallas, TX

Rev. John Erthein
Bainbridge, GA

Rev. Ernest Gardner III
Pittsburgh, PA

Rev. Anthony Kladitis
Hermitage, PA

Rev. E. Stanley Ott
Charlotte, NC

Rev. Timothy Scoonover
Monks Corner, SC

Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker
Hershey, PA

Rev, Jane Tuma
Wheaton, IL

Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons
Summerville,SC

Rev. Herbie Miller
Mint Hill, NC

Rev. Amy Sutherlun
San Marcos, Texas

Rev. Jon Wasson
Lake Forest, IL

Rev. John Murphy
Milton, WA

Rev. Billy Kluttz
Arlington, VA

Rev. Wally Johnson
Tulsa, OK

Rev. Mike McCracken
Laurens, SC

Rev. Alexander Haines
Howell, MI

Rev. Benjamin Kane
Little Rock, AR

Rev. Quinn  Fox
Bethesda, MD

Rev. Sara Jane Nixon
Cincinnati, OH

Rev. David Howell
Seneca, SC

Rev. Jonathan Berosek
Bridgeport, NE

Rev. Adam Demetros
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Rev. Stephen Oglesbee
Houston, TX

Rev. Burnetta Armour
Cleveland, GA

Rev. Jonathan Bunker
Berryville, VA

Rev. Michael Capron
Elmira, NY

Rev. John Hartman
Quarryville, PA

Rev. Mitchell Kolls
Austin, TX

Rev. Nicole Vogel
Easton, PA

Rev. Bill Teng
Lake Suzy, FL

Rev. Mike Porter
Louisville, KY

Rev. Owar Ojulu
New Kensington, PA

Rev. Steven R. Smith    
Fishers, IN

Rev. Robert Lowry
Little Rock, AR

Rev. Robert Austell
Herndon, VA

Rev. Andrew Esqueda
West Chester, PA

Rev. Caroline Cupp
West Chester, PA

Rev. Jeff Pearson
Albuquerque, NM

Rev. Gordon Tubbs
Abbeville, SC

Rev. Robert Cely, Jr.
Lexington, SC

Rev. Paige McRight
Orlando, FL

Rev. Peter Seiferth
Tuscon, AZ

Rev. Jim Stochl    
Ceres, CA 

Rev. Gary LeTourneau    
Fort Collins, CO

Rev. Tara Bulger
Huntsville, AL

Rev. Rob Sparks
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Megan Klose
Falls Church, VA

Rev. David Rollins
Jacksonville, FL

Rev. Will Scott
Shreveport, LA

Rev. Brandon Melton
Raleigh, NC

Rev, Joshua Gritter
Salsibury, NC

Rev. Lara Gritter
Salisbury, NC

Rev. Christopher Davis
Pratt, KS

Rev. Jeremiah Lange
Marion, KS

Rev. Robert Dooling
Loveland, CO

Rev. Mark Cho
Allentown, PA

Rev. William McConnell
Murray, NE

Rev. Michael Jones
Emporia, VA

Rev. David Rodriguez
Coronado, CA

Rev. Yoon Nam
Buford, GA

Rev. David Demarest
Bridgeport, OH

Rev. Anita Herbert
Summerville, SC

Rev. Oscar Clavel
Orlando, FL

Rev. Craig Lindsey
Green Valley, AZ

Rev. Bruce Becker
Philadelphia, PA

Rev. Jeremy Sanderson
Portland, OR

Rev. David Leard 
Houston, TX

Rev. Luke Farwell
Green Bay, WI

Rev. Jeffrey Francis
Tulsa, OK

Rev. Louise Ventura
Suffolk, VA

Rev. Joel Phillips
Norfolk, VA

Rev. Sungchan Yun
Chino Hills, CA

Rev. Dan Turis
Cincinnati, OH 

Rev. Geoffrey Glen Rach
Trafford, PA

Rev. Eliseo Morales
Fullerton, CA

Rev. Michael Jones
Emporia, VA

Rev. LaVera Parato
Haverlock, NC

Rev. David Pierce
Missouri City, TX

Rev. Matthew Bell
Spokane, WA

Rev. Sungchan Yun
Chino Hills, CA

Rev. Joel Phillips
Norfolk, VA

Rev. Luke Farwell
Green Bay, WI

Rev. Lou Ventura
Suffolk, VA

Rev. Jeffrey Francis
Tulsa, OK

Rev. Ray Medina
Chico, CA

Rev. David Leard
Houston, TX

Rev. Gale Watkins
Phoenix, AZ

Rev. Bruce Becker
Philadelphia, PA

Rev. Seohee Cheon
Hoffman Estates, IL

Rev. Jeremy Sanderson
Portland, OR

Rev. Michael Neelley
Bellingham, WA

Rev. Jae Seon Jo
Montgomery, AL

Rev. Choonki Kim
Johnson City, TN

Rev. Daeseong Kim
Alpharetta, GA

Rev. Jon Evans
Muscatine, IA

Rev. Daesun Jeong
Mount Vernon, WA

Rev. Daniel Changhyun Ko
Torrance, CA

Rev. Jongsuk Back
Oklahoma City, OK

Rev. Seung Hyeon Kim
New York, NY

Rev. Brian Kilbert
New Kensington, PA

Rev. Elizabeth Broschart
Danville, VA

Rev. Drew Mangione
Shelby, NC

Rev. Mouris Yousef
La Cresenta, CA

Rev. Jupiaci Gomes
Kearny, NJ

Rev. Kyle Hite
Greenwood, SC

Rev. Stewart Rawson
Sumter, SAC

Rev. Kenneth Kovacs
Baltimore, MD

Rev. Adam Borneman
Roswell, GA

Rev. Rachael McConnell
Duncanville, TX

Rev. Doug Forsberg
Rochelle, IL

Rev. Ferdinand Brits
Orlando, FL

Rev. Charles Roberts
Atlanta, GA