In the current debate I am neither on the traditional side, nor the revisionist side. Or perhaps I am on both.
The General Assembly in 2003 ruled that a person described as a “self-avowed and practising homosexual may be refused ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacraments in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.” This is the current law and practice of the church. There is nothing in our stated procedure concerning LGBTQ.
I have only recently read the Overtures presented to 2015 Assembly. They puzzle me. The Overture from the Presbytery of East Toronto refers to “bisexual people in committed relationships.” Are we to debate such a topic? Bisexual people in committed relationships! Can we not leave BTQ out of our discussion?
The Overture presented by the session of Kortright Church, Guelph, comments on the practices of foreign churches, without specifying the complaints. How can the General Assembly respond to vague accusations against other denominations? Legislation in the Presbyterian Church in Canada is different from the policies and practices of other churches.
The commentary in the March issue of the Presbyterian Record by Kevin Livingston is very extreme. Is condemnation of all sex outside of Christian marriage the consistent teaching of scripture? He forgets the often-repeated adage that the devil can quote scripture.
There are three issues we require our attention. First is the matter of allowing practising homosexuals to serve as ministers of word and sacraments. The second concerns how we show a welcome to gays and lesbians in worship and service. The third is the issue of marriage. In Canadian law two people of the same sex may be united in marriage. Christian marriage is something different, and the state cannot legislate for the church.
Can we not speak the truth in love on these three issues, which are separate, and take time to discern the mind of the church?
We have no reason to wave the LGBTQ flag. Nor have we any reason to sneer at our Anglican neighbours.
Ian S. Wishart, St. John’s, Nfld.
