The Presbytery of Mississippi does hereby approve the following statements to be issued to the press as accurate summaries of its beliefs concerning various subjects acted on by the 217^th General Assembly:

 

On Divestment

·        As a matter of conscience, the Presbytery of Mississippi cannot support divestment as an economic sanction against American companies legally doing business in Israel and/or Palestine. The underlying purpose of divestment is to inflict economic hardship and harm on companies doing business in Israel or Palestine. In clear cases—like genocide or apartheid—such action can be justified. In the present situation, however, where there is justice and injustice on both sides, it is unjustified and inappropriate.

·        We recommend and embrace the balanced approach of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, also known as The Mitchell Report (May 4, 2001), which analyzed the conflict from the perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis and framed its recommendations as “recommendations” to both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. This avoids the appearance of one-sidedness and places the responsibility squarely on both sides to work for peace. The Mitchell Report is careful to speak in principle and not to insist on specific solutions

• We believe that, in the future, it would be better for the church to engage in discussion and dialogue before votes on significant theological or social positions are taken. The damage done to Presbyterian-Jewish relations could have been minimized had the church been encouraged to debate and discuss the overtures that, in their cumulative effect, have been construed as anti-Israel. Many churches first learned of these actions from Jewish friends. This is not good process and does not further the peace, unity, or purity of the church.

 

On Scripture

• We believe that the Holy Scripture is the Word of God and God’s guide to us for worship and life.
• We believe that “insofar as Christ’s will for the Church is set forth in Scripture, it is to be obeyed,”
• We believe that to adapt, mold or conform the church in accordance with contemporary mores and patterns of sinful life will separate us from God, and from God’s will.

 

On Marriage

• We believe that “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family.  In addition to marriage being a civil contract between a woman and a man, marriage for Christians is also a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship.  In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
• We believe that “same gender unions” are clearly in opposition to Scripture and the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

 

On Ordination Standards

• We uphold the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which states:  “Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church.  Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.  Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”
• We will not allow practicing homosexuals, adulterers, or anyone engaged in sexually immoral conduct to be ordained and/or installed as deacons or elders in any congregation of the Presbytery of Mississippi.
• We will not allow practicing homosexuals, adulterers, or anyone engaged in sexually immoral conduct to be ordained and/or installed as ministers of the Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Mississippi.

 

On Abortion

• We affirm that God alone is the “author and giver” of life, and that God reveals in Scripture that the miracle of life begins at the moment of conception.
• We oppose the practice of abortion (the premature ending of a pregnancy with the intent to end the life of the embryo or fetus by means of surgical intervention or administration of medications, or any other method that leads to a similar result), except when abortion is necessary (a) to protect the life of the mother as determined by a competent, licensed physician, where the continuation of the pregnancy would, more likely than not, result in either the mother or the unborn child not surviving continuation of the pregnancy; and (b) in cases of rape and incest where there is a finding by a competent, licensed physician that carrying the unborn child to term would, more likely than not, result in serious, long-lasting and debilitating mental and emotional distress of the mother.
• We acknowledge that individuals are confronted with unwanted pregnancies in a number of circumstances, including:  pregnancy of a minor child; pregnancy of those believing they are incapable or unable to provide properly for the care and Christian nurture of the child.  We welcome these individuals and seek to share their burden with compassion.
• We urge all members of the Church to minister to those contemplating abortion by prayerfully seeking the guidance of Scripture and by offering counsel and assistance to ensure the child receives loving care and Christian nurture.
• While we do not condone abortion, we do extend the love of Christ to those who have suffered its practice.