12th September 2019
The Uniting Church in Australia has now set out in a new direction in the hope of leading all Australian churches down the path of re-defining their belief about Christian marriage.
Expedient ecclesial manoeuvring has seemingly overshadowed the revealed biblical insights entrusted to the church through the ages. Any serious assessment of the faith-heritage of the Uniting Church seems to have been largely bypassed or suppressed. Some regard the biblical position as arising from a pharisaic attitude and as a nagging criticism that lacks compassion. Here in this article we give priority to the practical, pastoral issues rather than re-ploughing the theological field that has already been well worked over.
Members connected with the Assembly of Confessing Congregations have faithfully represented the Christian position on gender, sexuality and marriage. The ACC has been the main prosecutor of an important, consolidated critique. Time however has moved on and rather than being in the prosecuting stand it now appears there is an important shift towards congregations mounting the witness box.
While the national ACC continues to provide a helpful biblical response to important issues, there has been a re-focus among evangelical congregations, a ‘division of labour’ that has moved from the ‘critique’ to the more positive ‘witness’ approach. The South Australian Synod has wisely created ‘Generate’, a fellowship of evangelical Uniting Churches with a positive mandate, while HopeNet SA encourages those who have moved beyond the Uniting Church. ‘Propel’ is another group that has emerged to offer National support.
While cultural change has chastened the church. Many people have found it difficult to articulate biblical truths with clarity. Our reasoning has often been overlaid with more emotion, than sound compassionate reason. Instead of heterosexual leaders beating the drum in a way that sounds as if they are passing judgment on others, integrity now requires us to be guided by those who are themselves same-sex attracted. We now need to respect those leaders who have worked through their own sexuality under the Lordship of Christ and who demonstrate a rigorous commitment and submission to scripture.
It is time to witness and to learn how to articulate the positive beauty, power and healing presence of Jesus Christ. In the Uniting Church we need to look to the ground breaking resources of the larger Anglican communion and to people like Ed Shaw, Sam Allbury and Vaughan Roberts. The following summary is typical of the clear approach presented by Sam Allbury. It stands as a helpful example of an articulated biblical position.
Articulating the Revelation
Although the social engineers of our time are intent on promoting a uni-sex world beyond gender, Christians, the Church and the Bible have always recognised humanity as being gendered,--that is, we are created male and female.
In the bond of marriage sex is designed to irreversibly bind two people of opposite gender together so they become ‘one flesh’. When that profound physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual union is broken or modified the more the capacity for a deep, integrated unity is downsized and damaged. The union of marriage is God’s way for humanity to reflect the diversity and unity that marks the three different persons of the Trinity who are also united as one.
This is not to say people of different gender cannot experience a deep loyalty or commitment to each other but the kind of union God gives when a heterosexual man and women become physically one is unique and is basic to marriage. The joining of complementary genders leads to a profound ‘one flesh’ unity in difference.
This unity reflects God’s very own nature and it’s about the relationship Jesus has with the church. Here again there is difference. Christ is different from the imperfect Church but it is a reflection of the spiritual, real and yet to be fulfilled marriage between Christ and his people.
A socially constructed form of marriage between a man and man or woman and woman is not the same and neither is it Christian. This clear distinction is basic to the issue of identity, sexuality and marriage today.
Moving on.
The official position of the Uniting Church now doctrinally accommodates a multi-mix of socio-opinion and philosophical theology. Uniting Church members have now had time to reflect on the church’s choice of a future direction and to place it alongside the revealed insight and content of the Christian Church through the ages.
Apart from the marginalised voice of the Assembly of Confessing Congregations there have been few who have been brave enough to draw the distinction between a popularist position and a grounded defence of traditional Christian sexual ethics. There have been even fewer who, holding to the veracity of the faith have been able to offer a positive pastoral way ahead. It is all too easy to walk away in the hope of escaping reality.
Even if suppressed and excluded the ACC have been a voice that has recognised that the National Uniting Church Assembly has removed itself from the faith and unity of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic church. However offering a positive pastoral way ahead to a misguided, fragmented church is not easy.
There is no doubt that when it comes to sexuality, gender and identity God is stirring the church up. The church has not kept pace with cultural change and we now have to be articulate in areas that Christians have long suppressed or ignored. Sometimes the church has given the impression that you must be heterosexual and have children and if you don’t you are somehow abnormal. We have to face the reality that today in our congregations we have single people, same-sex attracted people, and confused youth. If we do not honestly address these areas, the secular, pagan, world will do it for us.
It is clear that there is a real need to equip churches and train leaders in how to pastorally come alongside Christians who experience same-sex attraction. Those of evangelical conviction also need to work hard at understanding LGBTQI people, how the Gospel treats all people the same and offers strength and transformation.
Being truly Ecumenical
In the Australian context the ACC have turned valuable soil in responding theologically to current issues. The resources of evangelicals to pioneer new ground within the Uniting Church however are limited. We now need to flex our ecumenical muscles in negotiating, partnering and working much closer with other churches.
In a recent interview with Ed Shaw from the U.K. he mentioned that in England there are evangelical Christians who are same-sex attracted who are living for Jesus. There are people becoming Christians from the LGBTQI community and that this is making the church increasingly friendly to all kinds of single people.
Ed Shaw, author of “the plausibility problem” was hosted by a number of groups during August 2019 to present a series of workshops that realistically addressed sexuality issues while defending biblical standards of sexual practise. The ‘Local Course’ is a one day course, suitable for church leaders and para-church groups that helps people to see how they can be ‘biblically inclusive’ of sexual minority groups. The day for ministry leaders that includes insights on changing culture is called ‘Creating a biblically inclusive church.’
Now is the time to be the church we claim to be,--- the ‘Uniting Church’ and to break new ground in partnering with other churches in educating and equipping people how to respond to the secular avalanche of our time and how, with compassion to address the pain and confusion about identity and sexuality.
Web sites Worth Visiting.
Proclaiming the truth, Renewing the Church, offering a range of teaching and resources largely related to the UC context.
Offering resources for both Christians who experience same-sex attraction and also to other church leaders. Based in the UK it invites questions on issues of gender, sexuality and identity.
A non denominational group committed to the authority and Lordship of Christ. Offering support to Christians who experience same-sex attraction or who have a same-sex attracted family member.
The Gospel Coalition Australia
A coalition of sound Christian leaders including Rev Peter Adam providing direction on a range of contemporary issues. Sponsors of the 2019 Ed Shaw visit.
Rev Sam Allberry Speech. A You Tube clip - Google: Sam Allberry-General Synod.
View a bold witness. Bullied by his Synod, Allberry states, “My primary sense of worth and fulfilment as a human being is not contingent on being romantically or sexually fulfilled and this is liberating.”
GAFCON. Global Anglican Futures Conference
Outward focused being equally committed to Gospel Mission. Restoring Biblical truth when the authority of the Bible is under attack from aggressive secularism outside the church and revisional groups within.
Rev E.A. (Ted) Curnow.
www.tedcurnow.wordpress.com
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