General Assembly Action Calling for Marriage Study
“In a desire to promote the peace, unity, and purity of the church, we move the whole Presbyterian Church U.S.A. enter into a season of serious study and discernment concerning its meaning of Christian marriage in the two-year period between the 220th General Assembly (2012) and the 221st General Assembly (2014). We would further move the Office of Theology and Worship prepare and distribute educational materials to all presbyteries and congregations. These materials should include the relevant Scriptures, key methods of biblical interpretations, current understandings of our Constitution, and some suggested guidance for prayerful and reconnecting ways of listening to one another.
“We would ask that all presbyteries report to the Office of the General Assembly on how this was conducted in their congregations at least three months prior to the 221st General Assembly (2014).
“This motion is offered in the hope and trust that such discernment will genuinely seek the rule and will of God be done in our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as it is in Heaven under the guidance of the Triune of God.”
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Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Study on Christian Marriage
At the direction of the 220th General Assembly (2012), the Office of Theology and Worship has produced a study on "Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)." The study is available in two versions: a six-session course and two-hour abbreviated format; congregations are encouraged to use the six-session version if at all possible. This resource is commended for use by congregations and presbyteries as they discuss issues related to marriage in church and society.
Six-Session Version
Download the Study: "Christian Marriage in the PC(USA): Six-Session Version"
Español / Spanish | Korean
Two-Hour Version
Download the Study: "Christian Marriage in the PC(USA): Two-Hour Version"
Leader's Guide
Traducciones al español / Spanish translations: Estudio / Study | Guía de lideres / Leader's Guide
Korean translations: Study | Leader's Guide
Supplementary Resources
Report on "Civil Union and Christian Marriage"
"Constituting Us: Confessions and Polity in the PC(USA)"
Other Resources on Marriage
Marriage in the Book of Confessions
- Heidelberg Catechism
- Second Helvetic Confession
- Westminster Confession
- Larger Catechism
- Confession of 1967
Marriage in the Book of Order (Directory for Worship, W-4.9000)
- Christian Marriage
- Preparing for Marriage
- If the Marriage Is Unwise
- Time and Place of the Service
- Form and Order of Service
- Music and Appointments
- Recognizing Civil Marriage
Statement on the Gift of Marriage from the 1993 Book of Common Worship
Final Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage (includes the minority report), as approved by the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
"Marriage—A Theological Statement," a 1980 paper of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
