Hi folks,
So I am hoping sometime soon to have a few blogs that discuss some things I've encountered this summer and been thinking about. I haven't done a lot of blogging over the past year thanks to the time spent at seminary and at church, but I realize that in our modern era, this is an important tool of communicating the Christian faith. So hopefully, I can discipline myself to do this; but we shall see.
Well, I'm off to church for the morning - have a good one.
- Nathan
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Letter to the Church
Hi all and Happy Independence Day!
Below is the letter that I read to my congregation in Bessemer last Sunday. It expresses what I believe our church will be doing in response to the actions of the General Assembly. I am happy that they received well what I said, and they want to begin a dialogue about these issues. To me, that is important because it shows they want to proceed with prayerful consideration instead of blowing up at or blowing off those who disagree.
Anyway, here is the letter. You will no doubt hear more from me about this issue in the future. Have a great day!
In Christ,
Pastor Nate
-----
Beloved in Christ,
Some of you are going to hear in the coming hours and days, or perhaps have already heard, about the decisions of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), at its national meeting called the General Assembly. One issue that has weighed heavy on our church is that of human sexuality, specifically, homosexuality. All this week, I’ve been keeping up on the proceedings of the General Assembly, and they have made some decisions that are extremely controversial and will no doubt stir many of you in various ways.
In essence, the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly voted 380-325 to repeal statement G-6.0106b of the Book of Order, Part II of our Constitution, which reads as follows: “Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.” This of course was the statement in the Book of Order forbidding the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexuals from the ordained offices of deacon, elder and Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
The General Assembly also voted to replace this amendment with the following statement: Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate's sincere efforts to adhere to these standards."
In addition to this, the General Assembly also voted on two “authoritative interpretations” to the Constitution. The first allows “examining bodies to give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis, to any departure from an ordination standard in matters of belief or practice that a candidate may declare during examination.” The second included the directive to rescind all Authoritative Interpretations to the Constitution, dating back to 1978, that have stated that homosexual practice is not compatible with ordained service in the denomination. The elimination of this interpretive language does not overturn the prohibition; that would take effect only if the proposed amendment gets ratified. But the authoritative interpretations provided much more specificity to the constitutional policy. These take effect immediately.
This, therefore, may very likely pave the way for the ordination of homosexual persons in the denomination, because it is now up to each presbytery and church in each individual case to determine what is required or not required of a candidate for ministry or ordination. Now, this issue has been tearing our church apart for thirty years, and I fear that now there will be even greater division in the church. I do fear that a great blow has been dealt to the unity of the Presbyterian Church and the Church universal, something to which I commit my ministry and my life, and I am in many ways grieved that the GA went about it this way. But before we as members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) make any rash decisions or statements as a congregation, or attempt to pack our bags, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) You need to know how our church government works. This is crucial. First, we are all members of the local congregation, and we elect members from among us to ordained office (elder and deacon). The session of elders is our local governing body, and they make decisions based on what they feel God calling us as a body to do. The minister and one elder represent our session, then, in the next level, the presbytery. This body also has a great impact on our church, as well. Then there are several presbyteries that make up a regional organization called a “Synod.” Finally, every two years, each presbytery sends commissioners to the General Assembly, the highest governing body, which is a body that makes decisions to, among other things, change our church’s Constitution. Thus, our session can make our own decisions on some things, but we are still governed by our presbytery and the Constitution of our church. Thus power is distributed among the various levels, and not just in each individual church.
2) Now that you know this, know also that this issue is not a done deal. The General Assembly is required to send out such approved overtures to each presbytery for a final vote. In 2002, a similar overture to the one before us went before each presbytery, and it was voted down overwhelmingly. What will happen this time, I do not know. Still, even if all is approved, another General Assembly in two years could make changes to this policy, but it is hard to say.
3) Our presbytery (Shenango) has historically stated that it is against such overtures and in the future will not pass them. If you wish to learn more about our presbytery’s stance on this, talk to me and I will pass along their resolution from 2006. I believe that our presbytery is also committed to keeping the ordination standards as is, and we should continue to be actively aware of their discussion and actions.
4) If I might add my personal concern, regardless of how I feel on the issue of homosexuality, this is a problem from the standpoint of the church's polity, as it creates division and disunity between presbyteries. Thus, for instance, as I am seeking ordination in Shenango presbytery, their standards for ordination might now be different from other presbyteries. So say I was ordained in Shenango, and I moved to Ohio to pastor. It is possible that a presbytery like Eastminster, across the state line, might not accept my ordination because their standards could be different. So, regardless of the greater issue, this in and of itself is a problem.
5) Also, even though this decision of the General Assembly may or may not hurt us deeply, I hope that we as a congregation will be careful to treat those who struggle with anything the Bible calls “sin,” as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. After all, Jesus ate with tax collectors and “sinners.” He deeply loved and respected the woman at the well, a known prostitute, even though he pointed out her sin. Yet Jesus told her to go and sin no more. My hope is that we as a church will never discriminate against anyone who comes into our doors, even if we may not think their lifestyle to be what God desires for them. I hope that apart from our views of homosexuality, we can be a church that loves and welcomes all with hospitality, love, mercy and grace, and that the Holy Spirit would call others to “Go and sin no more” as others encounter Him in this place. It is not our job to judge, but it is our task to allow the love of Jesus to encounter others through us.
In the end, know that we will be discussing this issue more in the coming months and weeks. In fact, perhaps there will be a forum to do this as a congregation. But at this point, we are not pursuing leaving the denomination, or anything like that. You will hear about churches threatening to do and actually doing that, as many already have in recent years. We at Bessemer Church will continue to be witnesses to the love and grace of Jesus Christ as a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in this community just like we have been doing. But, I know that there is going to be much division and emotional outcry in the Church over this. But even so, the Presbyterian Church (USA) does still hold its allegiance to Jesus Christ, and therefore it is His body, of whom He alone is the head. Liberals and conservatives alike do acknowledge this. So we are called to work alongside those with whom we disagree. One thing I noticed this week is that people who may differ from us in opinion are not rotten, evil, ungodly people. They are trying to seek God’s will also.
So in this difficult time, let us continue to pray for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its work in the world.
In Christ,
Pastor Nate
Below is the letter that I read to my congregation in Bessemer last Sunday. It expresses what I believe our church will be doing in response to the actions of the General Assembly. I am happy that they received well what I said, and they want to begin a dialogue about these issues. To me, that is important because it shows they want to proceed with prayerful consideration instead of blowing up at or blowing off those who disagree.
Anyway, here is the letter. You will no doubt hear more from me about this issue in the future. Have a great day!
In Christ,
Pastor Nate
-----
Beloved in Christ,
Some of you are going to hear in the coming hours and days, or perhaps have already heard, about the decisions of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), at its national meeting called the General Assembly. One issue that has weighed heavy on our church is that of human sexuality, specifically, homosexuality. All this week, I’ve been keeping up on the proceedings of the General Assembly, and they have made some decisions that are extremely controversial and will no doubt stir many of you in various ways.
In essence, the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly voted 380-325 to repeal statement G-6.0106b of the Book of Order, Part II of our Constitution, which reads as follows: “Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.” This of course was the statement in the Book of Order forbidding the ordination of self-affirming, practicing homosexuals from the ordained offices of deacon, elder and Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
The General Assembly also voted to replace this amendment with the following statement: Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate's sincere efforts to adhere to these standards."
In addition to this, the General Assembly also voted on two “authoritative interpretations” to the Constitution. The first allows “examining bodies to give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis, to any departure from an ordination standard in matters of belief or practice that a candidate may declare during examination.” The second included the directive to rescind all Authoritative Interpretations to the Constitution, dating back to 1978, that have stated that homosexual practice is not compatible with ordained service in the denomination. The elimination of this interpretive language does not overturn the prohibition; that would take effect only if the proposed amendment gets ratified. But the authoritative interpretations provided much more specificity to the constitutional policy. These take effect immediately.
This, therefore, may very likely pave the way for the ordination of homosexual persons in the denomination, because it is now up to each presbytery and church in each individual case to determine what is required or not required of a candidate for ministry or ordination. Now, this issue has been tearing our church apart for thirty years, and I fear that now there will be even greater division in the church. I do fear that a great blow has been dealt to the unity of the Presbyterian Church and the Church universal, something to which I commit my ministry and my life, and I am in many ways grieved that the GA went about it this way. But before we as members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) make any rash decisions or statements as a congregation, or attempt to pack our bags, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) You need to know how our church government works. This is crucial. First, we are all members of the local congregation, and we elect members from among us to ordained office (elder and deacon). The session of elders is our local governing body, and they make decisions based on what they feel God calling us as a body to do. The minister and one elder represent our session, then, in the next level, the presbytery. This body also has a great impact on our church, as well. Then there are several presbyteries that make up a regional organization called a “Synod.” Finally, every two years, each presbytery sends commissioners to the General Assembly, the highest governing body, which is a body that makes decisions to, among other things, change our church’s Constitution. Thus, our session can make our own decisions on some things, but we are still governed by our presbytery and the Constitution of our church. Thus power is distributed among the various levels, and not just in each individual church.
2) Now that you know this, know also that this issue is not a done deal. The General Assembly is required to send out such approved overtures to each presbytery for a final vote. In 2002, a similar overture to the one before us went before each presbytery, and it was voted down overwhelmingly. What will happen this time, I do not know. Still, even if all is approved, another General Assembly in two years could make changes to this policy, but it is hard to say.
3) Our presbytery (Shenango) has historically stated that it is against such overtures and in the future will not pass them. If you wish to learn more about our presbytery’s stance on this, talk to me and I will pass along their resolution from 2006. I believe that our presbytery is also committed to keeping the ordination standards as is, and we should continue to be actively aware of their discussion and actions.
4) If I might add my personal concern, regardless of how I feel on the issue of homosexuality, this is a problem from the standpoint of the church's polity, as it creates division and disunity between presbyteries. Thus, for instance, as I am seeking ordination in Shenango presbytery, their standards for ordination might now be different from other presbyteries. So say I was ordained in Shenango, and I moved to Ohio to pastor. It is possible that a presbytery like Eastminster, across the state line, might not accept my ordination because their standards could be different. So, regardless of the greater issue, this in and of itself is a problem.
5) Also, even though this decision of the General Assembly may or may not hurt us deeply, I hope that we as a congregation will be careful to treat those who struggle with anything the Bible calls “sin,” as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. After all, Jesus ate with tax collectors and “sinners.” He deeply loved and respected the woman at the well, a known prostitute, even though he pointed out her sin. Yet Jesus told her to go and sin no more. My hope is that we as a church will never discriminate against anyone who comes into our doors, even if we may not think their lifestyle to be what God desires for them. I hope that apart from our views of homosexuality, we can be a church that loves and welcomes all with hospitality, love, mercy and grace, and that the Holy Spirit would call others to “Go and sin no more” as others encounter Him in this place. It is not our job to judge, but it is our task to allow the love of Jesus to encounter others through us.
In the end, know that we will be discussing this issue more in the coming months and weeks. In fact, perhaps there will be a forum to do this as a congregation. But at this point, we are not pursuing leaving the denomination, or anything like that. You will hear about churches threatening to do and actually doing that, as many already have in recent years. We at Bessemer Church will continue to be witnesses to the love and grace of Jesus Christ as a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in this community just like we have been doing. But, I know that there is going to be much division and emotional outcry in the Church over this. But even so, the Presbyterian Church (USA) does still hold its allegiance to Jesus Christ, and therefore it is His body, of whom He alone is the head. Liberals and conservatives alike do acknowledge this. So we are called to work alongside those with whom we disagree. One thing I noticed this week is that people who may differ from us in opinion are not rotten, evil, ungodly people. They are trying to seek God’s will also.
So in this difficult time, let us continue to pray for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its work in the world.
In Christ,
Pastor Nate
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I Need to Unwind...
First, I know I didn't publish the letter to the church or some other thoughts. But I'll get there...
So I just got back from the presbytery meeting, and I have no idea why I was looking forward to it in the first place, because it conjured up emotions and thoughts (which are never fun for me and anyone who has to deal with me. First, they interviewed a candidate for ministry tonight. First, it made me anxious about my own process in that I just want to be done instead of jumping through the hoops that make up the PCUSA's ordination process. Secondly, it made me think about what cards I'm going to show the presbytery, because, let's face it, I don't know what I believe anymore.
My dad said it right when he told me that "Opinions are like a**holes. Everybody has one and they usually stink." I cannot and do not feel inclined to argue with people. I've grow to hate argument. It always turns into a battle and frankly, there is never a winner. People feel way more adamant about most things than I do, and I usually just let them talk. Really, inside of me, I don't have an answer. I just live in the tension.
This became painfully obvious when my nineteen year old brother asked me last night, "So what is it you believe anyway." He summed up the whole question in, "Do you want more government or less?" Frankly, I don't think in those terms, nor do I think in extremes. I think in spectrums, since they reflect reality. But his question made me laugh because it is the question of so many with whom I come in contact: Whose side are you on, anyway?
People just want an answer, but if they ask me, they've come to the wrong person for an answer. I don't have one. I do have core beliefs that I will not dispense with, but I just don't have an answer. And I never force my beliefs on anyone else. Instead I listen and ask questions. But I don't have answers. Take the homosexuality issue: I have a group of people in my life that demand me to basically say, "The Bible says its a sin. Therefore, it is a sin. Case closed." Others want me to say, "It's not a sin. The Bible is speaking to a particular time and place only." I have friends and acquaintances who are gay. I've heard the stories of their struggles and the freedom that came in realizing who they are. I know of others who "struggled" with homosexual attractions, and still do, but have gone on to heterosexual relationships. The experiences of some say that it doesn't work. The experiences of others say it can. The Bible tells us to love one another and not to judge. Yet it also condemns this practice. But is that for all times or is it cultural? Did Paul envision monogamous homosexual relationships as sin also, even though these were uncommon before now? Why would it be prohibited anyway?
You know what, I have no answer to these questions. People want me to declare I'm a liberal or a conservative. They would be happier knowing if I was "in their camp or not." But you know what? To hell with the labeling and the politics. To hell with the fact that people demand an answer from me. You know why? Because my beliefs and my conscience are captive only to the Word of God, that is, Jesus Christ. And beyond that, I would rather walk humbly and choose beliefs based on informed knowledge and consistency rather than party politics or church politics.
It all boils down to the question of truth. Is there such a thing as truth? Is there absolute and/or universal truth? What is truth? You know, Pilate asked Jesus that very question. Jesus said to him, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. Jesus does not answer, or if He did, it is not told to us. Either way, he already defined truth. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."
The truth is that Jesus is truth. Jesus reveals to us what is true. And so for me, with this whole issue, and every other issue, I take my cues from Jesus. Here's a man who associated with the lowest of the low in society: pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, drunks, deadbeats, gays, lesbians, transgendered...oh wait, wrong culture...well, you get the drift. Still, He loved them. He had compassion on them. Yet he gave them the kind and loving words of "Go and sin no more." No altar call. No confession. Just "Go and sin no more." In essence, that's the whole point: He gave them a second chance, He loved them, and He welcomed them. But He didn't leave their lives untouched and unchanged.
As I think about all the conversations I've had about this issue in the last week and a half, I am reminded of what Paul, the "homophobe" had to say after he supposedly condemns homosexuality in one place. He says, "And that's what some of you were. BUT you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." What do you make of this? Simple. God's grace is enough. And whether you are gay or straight, whether you cheat or steal or envy or sleep around, the truth is that the Christian faith is one of new beginnings. To me, knowing and experiencing that would be far more liberating than any other experience you could have, because no matter what bugs you, you can walk away. Sure, you still struggle. Sure, you still endure it. But you can walk away. You can choose to walk away. You may not choose to take on the burden, but you can leave it in the arms of Jesus. The feelings and urges may not go away, but you can stand up under them.
Maybe this is the better approach: to share the love and hospitality of Jesus in such a way that when people encounter you, they encounter Jesus. And when they encounter Jesus, they encounter the radical grace and love which calls us all to go and sin no more, and gives us a chance at a new start: over and over again. Every time we sin, every time we confess, every time we worship God, every time we come to the Lord's Table in the Eucharist.
So what kind of opinion is that? Probably conservative, but I don't want the label, so keep it. Frankly, I only hope that I'm reflecting the opinion of Jesus. That's whose opinion really matters to me, and He's the only one to whom I would in a heart beat. And frankly, if my opinion ever changes, it is because Jesus changed something in me.
Geeze, for someone who doesn't have an answer, I think I just gave one. Still, to me, the whole amazing thing about Christianity is the encounter of God's grace and mercy. Thankfully, He has enough of that to forgive us when we miss sharing that grace and love with others, or when we miss the mark on the kind of life God calls us to live.
Goodnight and the peace of Christ be with you all!
So I just got back from the presbytery meeting, and I have no idea why I was looking forward to it in the first place, because it conjured up emotions and thoughts (which are never fun for me and anyone who has to deal with me. First, they interviewed a candidate for ministry tonight. First, it made me anxious about my own process in that I just want to be done instead of jumping through the hoops that make up the PCUSA's ordination process. Secondly, it made me think about what cards I'm going to show the presbytery, because, let's face it, I don't know what I believe anymore.
My dad said it right when he told me that "Opinions are like a**holes. Everybody has one and they usually stink." I cannot and do not feel inclined to argue with people. I've grow to hate argument. It always turns into a battle and frankly, there is never a winner. People feel way more adamant about most things than I do, and I usually just let them talk. Really, inside of me, I don't have an answer. I just live in the tension.
This became painfully obvious when my nineteen year old brother asked me last night, "So what is it you believe anyway." He summed up the whole question in, "Do you want more government or less?" Frankly, I don't think in those terms, nor do I think in extremes. I think in spectrums, since they reflect reality. But his question made me laugh because it is the question of so many with whom I come in contact: Whose side are you on, anyway?
People just want an answer, but if they ask me, they've come to the wrong person for an answer. I don't have one. I do have core beliefs that I will not dispense with, but I just don't have an answer. And I never force my beliefs on anyone else. Instead I listen and ask questions. But I don't have answers. Take the homosexuality issue: I have a group of people in my life that demand me to basically say, "The Bible says its a sin. Therefore, it is a sin. Case closed." Others want me to say, "It's not a sin. The Bible is speaking to a particular time and place only." I have friends and acquaintances who are gay. I've heard the stories of their struggles and the freedom that came in realizing who they are. I know of others who "struggled" with homosexual attractions, and still do, but have gone on to heterosexual relationships. The experiences of some say that it doesn't work. The experiences of others say it can. The Bible tells us to love one another and not to judge. Yet it also condemns this practice. But is that for all times or is it cultural? Did Paul envision monogamous homosexual relationships as sin also, even though these were uncommon before now? Why would it be prohibited anyway?
You know what, I have no answer to these questions. People want me to declare I'm a liberal or a conservative. They would be happier knowing if I was "in their camp or not." But you know what? To hell with the labeling and the politics. To hell with the fact that people demand an answer from me. You know why? Because my beliefs and my conscience are captive only to the Word of God, that is, Jesus Christ. And beyond that, I would rather walk humbly and choose beliefs based on informed knowledge and consistency rather than party politics or church politics.
It all boils down to the question of truth. Is there such a thing as truth? Is there absolute and/or universal truth? What is truth? You know, Pilate asked Jesus that very question. Jesus said to him, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. Jesus does not answer, or if He did, it is not told to us. Either way, he already defined truth. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."
The truth is that Jesus is truth. Jesus reveals to us what is true. And so for me, with this whole issue, and every other issue, I take my cues from Jesus. Here's a man who associated with the lowest of the low in society: pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, drunks, deadbeats, gays, lesbians, transgendered...oh wait, wrong culture...well, you get the drift. Still, He loved them. He had compassion on them. Yet he gave them the kind and loving words of "Go and sin no more." No altar call. No confession. Just "Go and sin no more." In essence, that's the whole point: He gave them a second chance, He loved them, and He welcomed them. But He didn't leave their lives untouched and unchanged.
As I think about all the conversations I've had about this issue in the last week and a half, I am reminded of what Paul, the "homophobe" had to say after he supposedly condemns homosexuality in one place. He says, "And that's what some of you were. BUT you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." What do you make of this? Simple. God's grace is enough. And whether you are gay or straight, whether you cheat or steal or envy or sleep around, the truth is that the Christian faith is one of new beginnings. To me, knowing and experiencing that would be far more liberating than any other experience you could have, because no matter what bugs you, you can walk away. Sure, you still struggle. Sure, you still endure it. But you can walk away. You can choose to walk away. You may not choose to take on the burden, but you can leave it in the arms of Jesus. The feelings and urges may not go away, but you can stand up under them.
Maybe this is the better approach: to share the love and hospitality of Jesus in such a way that when people encounter you, they encounter Jesus. And when they encounter Jesus, they encounter the radical grace and love which calls us all to go and sin no more, and gives us a chance at a new start: over and over again. Every time we sin, every time we confess, every time we worship God, every time we come to the Lord's Table in the Eucharist.
So what kind of opinion is that? Probably conservative, but I don't want the label, so keep it. Frankly, I only hope that I'm reflecting the opinion of Jesus. That's whose opinion really matters to me, and He's the only one to whom I would in a heart beat. And frankly, if my opinion ever changes, it is because Jesus changed something in me.
Geeze, for someone who doesn't have an answer, I think I just gave one. Still, to me, the whole amazing thing about Christianity is the encounter of God's grace and mercy. Thankfully, He has enough of that to forgive us when we miss sharing that grace and love with others, or when we miss the mark on the kind of life God calls us to live.
Goodnight and the peace of Christ be with you all!
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