But it has approved a new Statement on Unity and Diversity (printed below) which arose from discussions about sexuality after the previous assembly. And it retains the 1987 affirmation that "all baptised Christians belong in Christ’s church … regardless of their sexual orientation".

As well as endorsing the diversity statement at the meeting in Adelaide last month, assembly members attempted to stop vilification and harassment in the church. But they didn’t tackle what are clearly the central tensions ¾ same-sex relationships and ordination of homosexual people.

Before any substantial debate could take place on those, the meeting picked up a resolution that it would not consider "any proposals relating to sexuality at this assembly".

"We do not believe that unresolved matters relating to sexuality will disappear or that they are unimportant," said the people who moved it, Stuart Cameron and Carolyn Kitto. And it was "not wimping out", added Ms Kitto. Rather, it was creating space for the discussion in the church to continue.

OK, no more sexuality talk. Assembly agreed by a vote: 137-116. The only exceptions were the proposals to approve the Statement on Unity and Diversity and to ask all church councils to deal with any vilification and harassment of people because of their sexuality.

The diversity statement came out of a series of "retreats" that church leaders organised following the difficult debates about homosexuality at the 1997 assembly in Perth. People with strongly opposed views spent time together. They were united in their Christian faith and the Uniting Church. And it became possible to give those a higher priority than the sometimes fierce disagreements about same-sex relationships and ordaining gays.

A "continuation group" formed by the national retreat last year produced the diversity statement as a series of affirmations about what held people together ¾ plus a recognition of the disagreements and the failure to resolve them ¾ instead of another set of proposals to try and fix things.

Some hope the statement will move the church’s discussion about sexuality to a higher level, although it’s also recognised that people still have entrenched positions on issues relating to homosexuality.

But the only other assembly decision related to sexuality may help to prevent the more blatant pressure that some gay and lesbian people have felt. It was to request "all councils of the church to take steps to ensure that any instance of vilification and harassment is dealt with effectively and consistently". The assembly standing committee will issue guidelines to assist councils to fulfil this.

Statement on unity and diversity

· that the church’s faith is in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that the church’s work and unity are built upon the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ;

· that in the Uniting Church we have already agreed on and affirmed important matters regarding marriage, marriage preparation, marriage counselling, divorce, re-marriage, sexuality and sexual ethics.

· the authority of the scriptures as defined in the Basis of Union, acknowledging that within the church there is a range of views on questions of biblical interpretation on various matters of Christian faith and practice;

· we are bound together by Christ, and because we love the Uniting Church as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church we will continue to work together in our diversity as servants of the living God.

· that issues regarding committed same sex relationships and ordination were unresolved by the Eighth Assembly in 1997 and the Ninth Assembly in 2000, and remain unresolved;

· that the diversity of viewpoints and the lack of resolution of these issues have resulted in tension within the life of the church.

· that some people have felt hurt or offended because of the church’s acceptance of diversity;

· that some people feel excluded from exercising their gifts of faith and ministry in their local congregations.

· all forms of vilification and harassment within the life of the church.

· that God will continue to bless and use the diverse gifts of all church members as we seek to work together to make known God’s love and salvation.