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Mainline Denominations Face Possible Schism over Homosexuality 2/20/2003 Church leaders seek middle ground where no middle exists Several mainline denominations are being pulled apart over attempts by homosexual activists to redefine Biblical sexual morality. Same-sex “marriage” and ordination of practicing homosexuals are the prime points of contention.
How these issues are resolved will likely determine whether or not several of the largest denominations will avoid a costly schism.
During the past year in the Presbyterian Church (USA), charges have been filed against 20 clergy in 10 presbyteries for openly defying the “fidelity and chastity” rule, which calls homosexual ministers to live a chaste life. In a February 14, 2003 open letter to the church, Reverend Jon F. Jones, Pastor of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Salvisa, Kentucky, challenged homosexual activists to have the courage of their convictions and act on the strength of their faith:
In opposition, we orthodox insist that homosexual practice is an abomination before the Lord, according to Scripture; that abortion is, in the vast majority of cases, murder and, only on rare occasions, justifiable homicide; that the communion of our Lord is offered only to those who have confessed Christ as Lord and Savior; and that the atonement of Christ is a very big deal indeed. Neither side is willing to concede on any of these issues and, consequently, there is no peace, nor will there ever be peace, between these two factions. That is the truth that no one wants to face.
We can have war or we can have peace. We cannot have a peaceful war. The two opposing factions of our once proud and venerable denomination can agree to disagree and go our separate ways and end the war, or we can continue to march—decently and in good order, to be sure—into oblivion.
Rev. Jones pointed out in his letter that even though the PC (USA) had voted on three different occasions to forbid the ordination of practicing homosexuals, the issue promises to be brought up again at the next General Assembly. Some two dozen or more churches now stand in open defiance of the ruling of the church, making it known that they will continue to ordain practicing homosexuals in contravention of the church constitution.
The PC (USA) Confessing Church Movement — of which the New Providence Presbyterian Church is a member—was established two years ago to counter the rise of homosexual affirmation in the church. The burgeoning movement has now been endorsed by the sessions of 1,289 congregations representing membership in excess of 428,002.
Other Christian denominations have similarly witnessed disdain for established church law for the primary purposes of ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions.
J. I. Packer “walks away” from the Anglican Church
The quest for homosexual rights in the Anglican Church (In America, the Episcopal Church) has been particularly pervasive and contentious. During the August 1998 Anglican worldwide Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, a resolution was passed — primarily through the efforts of African bishops — that declared the Conference “upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union [and] cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of same-sex unions, nor the ordination of those involved in such unions.”
The resolution has largely been ignored. Acclaimed theologian J. I. Packer, who is Board of Governors Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia and executive editor of Christianity Today, found that he could no longer remain in communion with the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster after the synod authorized its bishop to produce a service blessing same-sex unions. In an article in the January 21, 2003 issue of Christianity Today titled “Why I Walked,” Packer explained why he joined others in leaving the synod:
At issue here is a Grand Canyon – wide difference about the nature of the Bible and the way it conveys God’s message to modern readers. Two positions challenge each other. One is the historic Christian belief that through the prophets, the incarnate Son, the apostles, and the writers of canonical Scripture as a body, God has used human language to tell us definitively and transculturally about his ways, his works, his will, and his worship. …
Luther’s response at Worms when he was asked to recant all his writings echoes in my memory, as it has done for more than 50 years.
Unless you prove to me by Scripture and plain reason that I am wrong, I cannot and will not recant. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe [it endangers the soul]. Here I stand. There is nothing else I can do. God help me. Amen.
Was the protest in order? Was ‘no’ the right way to vote? Did faithfulness to Christ, and faithful confession of Christ, require it? It seems so. And if so, then our task is to stand fast, watch, pray, and fight for better things: for the true authority of the Bible, for the ‘true truth’ of the gospel, and for the salvation of gay people for whom we care.
United Methodist appeals committee dismisses charges against lesbian clergywoman
In a January 31, 2003 release, the United Methodist News Service reported that an appeals committee had upheld the dismissal of charges against a clergywoman who had disclosed she was in a lesbian relationship with another clergywoman. Last June, the Rev. Karen Dammann challenged the church’s prohibition against same-sex unions by announcing that she was in a homosexual relationship with the Rev. Katie Ladd.
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church states that “homosexuality is inconsistent with Christian teaching,” and specifically forbids the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals. A complaint was filed against Reverend Dammann and following the process of judicial review, an appeals committee ruled last month to dismiss the charges.
In the January 30, 2003 ruling, the appeals committee said, “The Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals finds there were not egregious errors committed and affirms the action of the committee on investigation in the matter of Karen Dammann.” The committee on investigation had earlier determined that reasonable grounds did not exist for moving the matter to a clergy trial. The committee’s decisions can only be appealed to the Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court.
Rev. Dammann said she was “pleased with the ruling” and told United Methodist News Service that she will seek an appointment to a Pacific Northwest congregation for the next church year, which begins July 1. She is currently on “family leave” and living with her partner and a son of one of the women in their Newton, Massachusetts residence.
Bishop of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) lifts sanctions imposed on congregation for ordaining homosexual clergywoman
ECLA Bishop Peter Rogness of the Saint Paul Area Synod announced Jan. 15 that he had lifted sanctions imposed on St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, for ordaining practicing homosexual.
The sanctions had been imposed by Rogness’ predecessor, Bishop Mark S. Hanson, for violating the denomination’s established policy that requires its ordained clergy to refrain from homosexual sexual relationships. Specifically, the church was charged with ignoring the ELCA constitutional prohibition against installing pastors not on the denomination’s clergy roster.
St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church had ordained Reverend Anita C. Hill, who is in an open lesbian relationship with another woman, and now serves as pastor of the congregation.
The Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA avoided making a definitive decision on the issue of homosexual ordination during their quadrennial session held August 10-13, 2001 in Indianapolis. By a vote of 899-115, the ELCA passed a resolution that called for the issue to be studied and an action plan developed for the 2005 Assembly. The action kept in place the ordinance that requires homosexuals to vow celibacy in order to be eligible for the ordained ministry.
Are some of the mainline Christian denominations headed for a schism?
It is evident that the strategy of homosexual activists is to enlist sympathetic congregations and clergy to “chip away” at existing church law by blessing same-sex unions and ordaining openly homosexual clergy. Whether their strategy leads to acquiescence to homosexual rights, expulsion, or schism, the issues of homosexuality and the authority of Scripture are clearly a defining moment for the modern church.
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