After tense debate between opposing factions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) about the role of gays and lesbians in church leadership, some middle ground was reached Tuesday night.

        By a vote of 124 to 77, members of the Presbytery of Cincinnati voted to establish an administrative commission to study whether Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church is violating the denomination's constitution by ordaining gays and lesbians as elders and deacons.

        The authority of the commission will be determined at the July meeting of the Presbytery, which represents 83 churches and 22,000 adult members across the Tristate. A commission could be given the power to dissolve a congregation.

        Tuesday's vote was not a decisive victory for either side.

        “They're not going to rush to judgment. They'll take their time to make a fair and deliberate decision,” said Mount Auburn pastor the Rev. Steve Van Kuiken. “I see that as a sign of support.” Still, his church had hoped the Presbytery would form a special committee, which has less power than the commission and can only make recommendations.

        For the Rev. Tom Sweets, the vote signalled that the Presbytery still isn't ready to tackle the difficult issue of homosexuality in the church.

        “Mount Auburn makes a hurtful, illegal statement, and then they turn around and say, "We're the victims,'” he said.

        His church, Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian, initiated the “overture” against Mount Auburn, asking the local governing body to issue an ultimatum: Stop ordaining gays and lesbians as elders and deacons or leave the denomination.

        Earlier this year, presbyteries around the country voted down an amendment that would have allowed such ordination of gays and lesbians. Now, people eligible for these positions must be in a heterosexual marriage or living a chaste single life.

        Nationally, Presbyterians on both sides of the aisle have been watching the local situation, considering it a test case for how the 2.5-million member denomination will deal with questions of church law and homosexuality.

        The Rev. Mr. Sweets urged members to vote for the Madeira-Silverwood overture for the good of the denomination.

        “It's not a vote against compassion. It's not a vote to make a political statement,” he said. “It's a vote to preserve our heritage as the Presbyterian Church.”

        But Julia Arosteguy, clerk of session for Mount Auburn, countered that the Presbyterian system encourages its members to follow their conscience and reflect the rich diversity of society in its pews.

        Said the Rev. Mr. Van Kuiken: “We see this action not so much as disobedience to the church but rather as obedience to Jesus Christ. We believe we are being good Presbyterians.”

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