My successor as Moderator of the General Assembly will have a much tougher job than I did. At the last assembly, commissioners felt deeply about and debated passionately a number of issues, most notably biennial assemblies. But that depth of feeling will not compare with what will likely be displayed at the upcoming assembly in Vancouver, as human sexuality looks as if it will be a major topic on the docket. Some Presbyterians will groan and whisper, “Not again.” Others will nod approvingly and say, “About time!” But whether we look forward with unease or anticipation, the debate is coming.
In fact, the debate has already begun. I don’t know about the debate in the presbyteries that discussed sending overtures to the next assembly, but the argument online has been less than charitable. There is something about the internet that gets people excessively hot under the clerical (or any other kind of) collar. That might not matter, but it can create an atmosphere not just of disagreement but of disagreeableness that may mar the peace and unity of the church. Many of our congregations are almost sinking. We can’t afford a bitter battle that degenerates into something like the church version of fistfights on the deck of the Titanic.
Do not mistake me here. I am not saying to stuff this subject into the church closet. Much conflict in the church is wrong, destructive and trivial. But sometimes issues are so important they need to be vigorously debated even if profound disagreement is the result. This may be one of those issues. I am not saying, don’t fight; rather, I am appealing to all “sides,” to, for Heaven’s sake, fight fair!
Most good things in life are the result of holy habits, including charity. Perhaps if we get into the habit of charity now, it will last through the assembly and beyond. Say whatever you believe to be right and true and within the will of God; but, heed the Letter to the Ephesians: “Speak the truth in love.” Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Speak in such a way that you can shake the hand of a person on the other side after the debate is over. And take the time to listen. The words of a fellow Christian who differs from us are more than an opportunity to reload for the next round!
It is also time, I think, to trust our doctrine and our polity. Nobody has ever claimed that General Assemblies are infallible, but we have always believed that the will of God becomes known when the Holy Spirit works through assembled bodies of prayerful Christians. The wisdom of gathered sisters and brothers in Christ is usually superior to the wisdom of individuals. The question of human sexuality is coming to the assembly in a proper manner, through overtures from some lower courts. Lacking strong evidence to the contrary, we should trust that the assembly will deal with them wisely. That would be the Presbyterian thing to do!
A number of years ago, I was leafing through some old books and found a handwritten letter from Principal Walter Bryden, the pre – eminent thinker in the history of our church. It appeared to be a response to a letter of congratulations on a victory of some sort in a presbytery meeting. But Bryden deflected the congratulations, saying, “Sometimes victories in the realm of politics are defeats in the realm of the Spirit.” This isn’t about winning a debate. It is about God’s will and God’s children.
