The Episcopal Church - What Comes Next?
2003 General Convention
The actions of convention show that the Episcopal Church is still struggling with its identity as we face many difficult questions. We try to welcome diversity while much of General Convention is spent debating and taking sides on divisive political issues. We talk about preserving unity, yet little is done to empower our regional and national representative structure and some issues are only resolved with local choice. Diversity can help us grow into a deeper knowledge of God's truth, however, we are little more than a congregational church if we fail to learn from one another or if we allow different viewpoints to push us apart.
1) To find benefit in our diversity, we should strengthen the connections provided through the Church's
representative structure and share information and ministry to become a true community of faith.
2) In order to be an inclusive community, we need to assure members that the traditional teaching of
the Church that sexual activity is only appropriate within marriage is still welcome.
3) We need to get serious about addressing questions regarding the theological reasoning for blessing
same-sex unions, protecting vulnerable partners and providing guidance for the innocent.
National Church Experience: Deputy to 5 General Conventions, Executive Council, Chair Executive Council Communication Committee, Standing Committee on Stewardship, Montana Rep to Province VI, Montana Rep to Coalition 14
1) Strengthening Connections and Building Community
- To build trust and share ownership, the broad membership needs to have timely information regarding the budget
- Communication must go beyond distributing information and provide connections for sharing ideas and ownership in ministry
- Executive Council & Standing Committees should make agendas/reports available online to allow broad discussion of ministry
- Executive Council should use their mutual trust and representative connections to find common ground on controversial issues
- Staff and Executive Council should share more information on Church Center ministry and ministry from around the church
- Provinces need web pages that build connections and assist them in sharing/supporting ministry and improving accountability
- Keep members informed of legislative action in Washington but limit official lobbying to issues where there is broad agreement
- On controversial issues, present resolutions to General Convention that are not ambiguous and attempt to answer concerns
- Change the focus of General Convention from divisive political issues to the discussion of ministry challenges and ideas
2) Preserving the Traditional Interpretation of Scripture in ECUSA
In order to retain diversity and restore unity, we must make sure that the traditional belief that sexual activity is only appropriate within marriage remains a position that is welcome in the Episcopal Church. If disagreement with the election of Gene Robinson or the local blessing of same-sex unions will not be tolerated, then it will be helpful to identify those within the Episcopal Church who feel this is a serious departure from our common beliefs.
3) Advancing the Search for Common Ground on Sexuality Issues
Before there is any broad endorsement of blessing same-sex unions by the Church, we must address the issues that many seem to have been trying to avoid. An outline of discussion points is provided below in an effort to move this conversation forward into the areas that must be resolved.
Theological Reasoning
First, we must determine the theological reasoning to bless same-sex unions. Whether the theological consensus is that scripture is silent, culturally flawed or there should be an exception to scripture will have far reaching implications for future decisions of the church. The only theological basis that may not contradict the traditional interpretation of scripture is that blessing these unions is an exception to scripture offered for pastoral reasons to those individuals who are homosexual with no choice in their sexual orientation.
It is hard for many to overlook the condemnation of homosexual activity and preference for marriage in scripture to conclude that it is silent on this issue. Ignoring related passages in the Old and New Testament requires greater faith in theologians than in interpretations that seem obvious to most Christians. Even Jesus indicates there is no alternative for sex outside of marriage in Matthew 19. There are no references in scripture to same-sex unions and, at the very least, we know that sex within marriage has scriptural support while homosexual activity does not.
If we say scripture is culturally flawed, that indicates that scripture is not the true word of God and leaves future positions of the Church open to evolve with the changes in cultural norms. Most believe that scripture should inform our culture rather than the other way around. While changes in education and other advances have made some scriptural guidelines uneccessary, the human body has not changed and much of the advice regarding sexual behavior found in scripture is still valid today.
Protecting Vulnerable Partners
In states where there is civil recognition of same-sex unions, couples seeking blessing by the Church should be required to join in these civil unions. In blessing same-sex unions where they are not, the Church has a pastoral responsibility not just to offer what couples want, but to provide partners in these relationships with the protection they need. Without legal protections, the partner who is willing to sacrifice the most to honor their commitment before God, is the most vulnerable.
The Church must develop a system to register blessed relationships at the national level and develop a contract for partners to sign that outlines legal and financial commitments between the partners. Along with the benefits of same-sex unions, we must outline the legal and financial responsibilities and require commitments that will protect the innocent if these relationships fail. With no civil governing authority, the contract required by the church should address issues of insurance, power of attorney, community property and provide formulas for alimony. In the event of separation, a dependent partner in these relationships must be protected. Few couples want to discuss these things as they join in life long commitments, but they are needed and the Church must make sure that they are addressed.
In addition, there need to be some basic guidelines to qualify for a blessing of the church. Because sexual identity can evolve over time for some, an age limit of 21 years and over should be considered. Blood tests should be required with results shared between the partners. To avoid providing an option for anyone to join in same-sex unions, offering blessings should be restricted to those with no choice in there sexual identity. All of these measures would help protect the vulnerable in these relationships and protect the church from liability in recognizing commitments that do not have the protection of civil law.
Pastoral Guidance
Finally, there needs to be consensus regarding the guidance that is given to those who look to the Church for advice. That is the purpose of the moral instruction found in scripture and any new interpretations must not take that guidance away. It needs to be understood that sexual activity outside of committed relationships can have physical, emotional and spiritual consequences. Just as heterosexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, it must be clear that any homosexual activity outside of a committed relationship blessed by the Church is also wrong.
Young people reaching puberty and anyone who is confused in their sexual identity are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and the Church has the pastoral responsibility to provide advice that offers protection. Because feelings of love and friendship can be confused with sexual attraction, the ability to have homosexual sex should not be considered an indication of sexual orientation. It must be understood that any sexual activity that is not based on love and commitment can be exploitative and should be avoided.
In addition, there is agreement in the Church that it is wrong for a heterosexual person to join in homosexual activity and it is clear that no one should experiment with their sexual orientation. Since the homosexual activity that is condemned in scripture still exists today and the position of scripture on loving, committed same-sex unions is uncertain at best, a person with bisexual desires should be guided toward heterosexual relationships to assure their eternal salvation.
