DENVER - Delegates adjourned the national convention of the Presbyterian Church (USA) May 31 without settling a 25-year-long debate over ordaining homosexuals, according to a news report in The (Louisville) Courier-Journal.

Rather than seek a church-wide vote on whether to lift a ban on ordaining noncelibate homosexuals, the issue was handed over to a 20-member task force.

At two recent conventions, proposals to overturn the seven-year-old constitutional ban have won support, but were defeated in regional ratification votes.

Reaching a recommendation that will be agreeable to both liberal and conservative factions within the 2.5-million member Presbyterian denomination appears to be a daunting task, the newspaper reported.

"We're not going to somehow be able to wave a magic wand," said Jack Haberer, a Houston pastor and task force member.

Still, one of the top officials at the denomination's Louisville, Ky., headquarters, said the task force is a viable option.

"I don't think 20 people on a task force can solve our problems, but I don't think they're geing set up for failure," said Clifton Kirkpatrick, the church's stated clerk. "If you look at the history of the Presbyaterian Chruch, I know people think we're over-consumed with committees as a way to solve problems, but it's a little bit like Jesus and the 12 disciples."

The task force, formed in 2001, has also been asked to propose resolutions for such issues as the authority of the Bible and the role of Jesus Christ in the church.

In addition to tackling the gay ordination issue, the task force, which was formed in 2001, also has been asked to propose resolutions for such major issues as the authority of the Bible and the role of Jesus Christ in the church. Its recommendations are due at the national convention in 2006.