The Presbytery of East Tennessee (PET) voted Saturday afternoon in favor of an amendment that would change the national church’s definition of marriage to “between two persons, traditionally a man and a woman.”

Currently, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church defines marriage as “between a man and a woman.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or PC(USA) is asking representatives from each of its more than 170 presbyteries to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Elected representatives from each East Tennessee congregation met in Chattanooga and narrowly approved the proposal, 61 yes, 56 no.

Paul Young of First Presbyterian Harriman said it’s an issue that has continued to pop up and be brought to the forefront of the church. He was one of 117 representatives that packed Northside Presbyterian church in Chattanooga Saturday afternoon to cast a ballot.

“It’s about as difficult as they come, it’s been a divisive issue of the church since I’ve been a member in 1987,” said Young.

Members took turns speaking for and against the measure before voting. Some quoted from scripture while others shared personal stories.

Paul Young voted against the change and believes those in favor did not rely enough on scripture. (i.e. Romans 1:26 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet”

“The authority of scripture is supposed to be our leading guide, especially in times when we have to make difficult decisions,” said Young.

Kally Elliott believes differently, as a Campus minister at the university of Tennessee, working with college students has provided her with a different perspective.

“We have a lot of students who come into our campus ministry with their story being one of hurt and shame given to them by the church.”

She hopes a change in the constitution will give her students a place of welcome and reconciliation

“Our goal is to share with them the love of Jesus Christ and to let them know that they are fully loved, fully welcomed as they are, who they are,” said Elliott.

Regardless of what the Presbyterian Church decides nationwide, Paul Young hopes the church will learn to come together.

“As a church we are called to follow Christ and we are bound to hold Christ up so that others may come to him and that needs to be our focus,” said Young.

In a release following the vote, the PET noted the result both locally and nationally has “no bearing on the presbytery’s present circumstances, since PC(USA) clergy cannot legally officiate such weddings in Tennessee.”

According to a release, 86 presbyteries much approve the amendment for it to take effect in June. As of Saturday afternoon, the nationwide tally stands at 77 yes, 37 no. Voting is expected to continue through May.

Back in January, the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee voted in favor of the amendment. The state’s northeastern most presbytery – Holston Presbytery in Kingsport – voted against the amendment.

It’s important to note the PC(USA) voted at its national gathering in June to allow its pastors and churches to conduct same-sex marriages in states where it’s legal. Each church, however, has the authority to decide whether it wants to do that.

This proposed amendment would simply change the wording in the church’s constitution.