Vermaak, Roche Francois2011-08-242011-08-242010-09-23Vermaak, R.F., 2010, ‘The polity debate regarding same-gender blessings and marriages in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’, Verbum et Ecclesia 31(1), Art. #52, 4 pages, DOI:10.4102/ve.v31i1.521609-998210.4102/ve.v31i1.52http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17135This paper will examine how the decision made by the Presbyterian Church in 1927 – to use polity rather than theology to solve its theological issues – has guided the same-gender blessing and marriage debate since the 1980s. The paper summarises the formation process of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s polity regarding same-gender blessing and marriage ceremonies in light of General Assemblies’ decisions and General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commissions’ ecclesiastical rulings.en© 2010. The Authors. Licensee: OpenJournals Publishing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.General Assembly Permanent Judicial CommissionGay/lesbian ordinationThe Book of OrderSpecial Commission of 1925Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)Ordination of gays -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. -- DoctrinesSame-sex marriage -- Religious aspects -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. -- Clergy -- InstallationChurch polityArticle