Standing Committee re

Standing Committee re "Moving ahead with Diversity"

1. THE 1997 ASSEMBLY DECISIONS ON SEXUALITY

1.1 The 1997 Assembly made 15 significant decisions arising from its consideration of "Uniting Sexuality and Faith", the report of the task group on sexuality. The last of these was to recognise "with sadness its inability at this time to reach further agreement in regard to outstanding matters arising from the report…", and to take seven actions in light of that inability. The seventh was to request "former Presidents Ron Wilson, D’Arcy Wood and Jill Tabart to consider how the Assembly might deal with the outstanding issues relating to sexuality following this Assembly, and report with recommendations to the Standing Committee". (Assembly minute 97.31.15)

2. THE REPORT OF THE THREE FORMER PRESIDENTS

2.1 Standing Committee considered the report of the three former Presidents in March 1998. Among the resolutions then carried by the Standing Committee are these:

"noting the conclusion of the three former Presidents that ‘inviting church members to engage in a further process of studying and responding to reports on sexuality is not likely to be productive’, resolve not to pursue at this time the search for consensus on the different attitudes within the church regarding homosexuality and the participation of homosexual persons in leadership positions";

"encourage synods, presbyteries and congregations to be communities in which members of the church can share their stories and different convictions, including convictions about sexuality, in ways that will encourage respect, trust and healing within the one body of Christ".

(ASC minutes 98.25.04 and 06)

2.2 Within the report of the three former Presidents was an emphasis on living in the one church, acknowledging our diversity. Among the final paragraphs of the report are:

"We believe an acceptance of diverse practice is possible within the one Church where it occurs within a framework of:

affirming the centrality of the grace of God in Jesus Christ;

rejoicing in our varying responses to that grace - including our different ways of being committed to the mission of the church;

affirming congregations as the primary expression of the corporate life of the Church;

recognizing that our Church includes people who feel strongly about some issues;

respecting those differences;

recognizing that the actions welcomed by some will be avoided by others.

"What we have in common as church - as members together in the one Body of Christ - is God’s grace in Jesus Christ, and our (albeit imperfect) response to that transforming power. What we do NOT have in common, or ever need to have in common, is a full understanding of all the ways of comprehending that grace. We need each other with all our diversity to be the community of faith. So let us affirm that miracle of grace that binds us together in the one family.

"The issue is what to do when we as a church are deeply divided on issues, and likely to remain so. Standing Committee will need to encourage the Church not to be afraid of diversity, that it’s OK to permit councils of the Church with different views to act differently under different circumstances.

"Our hope is that the Standing Committee can encourage the Church to recognize we are on a journey of discovery. We each glimpse part of the truth, and on the way we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we search the Scriptures, respect our differences, learn from each other’s insights, and together continue to serve the world for which Christ died."

2.3 In July 1998 Standing Committee considered responses to its decisions on the former Presidents’ report from the National Council of Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church (EMU), from The Uniting Network and from Social Responsibility and Justice. Standing Committee appointed a working group of four members to meet with representatives of the three bodies. (ASC minute 98.95)

2.4 In August and September conversations took place in Melbourne and Sydney with the three groups. A report was brought to Standing Committee in November 1998. Standing Committee then took three decisions:

to approve a statement "deploring abuse, harassment and vilification in the church";

to "arrange for a publication of a resource to assist the church in its continuing dialogue on the matters as yet unresolved in relation to sexuality";

to approve the holding of synod retreats and a national consultation, with the purposes to include considering what the 2000 Assembly might realistically do to help the church in relation to the unresolved matters on sexuality and in being a church of diversity. (ASC minutes 98.117.03-05)

3. PUBLICATION OF "JOY PAIN"

3.1 Uniting Education accepted the task of publishing a resource for the church to assist the continuing dialogue envisaged by the 1997 Assembly. An advisory group consisting of church members of various viewpoints assisted with the concept and with gathering material.

3.2 It’s expected that "Joy Pain – belonging in the Uniting Church" will be published prior to the Ninth Assembly.

4. "MOVING AHEAD WITH

DIVERSITY" RETREATS

4.1 Synod retreats were held in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne during 1999, with the assistance of the Synods of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. In November 1999 a national retreat was held in Melbourne. The 59 participants included the seven Moderators, leaders of EMU and Uniting Network, representatives of migrant-ethnic congregations nominees of presbyteries, and national leaders, The national retreat was an intense experience of "inter-personal encounter, solid Biblical and theological discussion, and struggling with ways forward for the church" (from the National Retreat Statement). It was a remarkable example of how Christians with deeply-held different convictions can, through prayer, worship, study and listening together, reach fresh understanding and respect for each other, in Jesus Christ.

4.2 A Continuation Group of 10 people, incorporating those of different viewpoints, was appointed by the national retreat to prepare material for the consideration of Standing Committee. In March 2000 Standing Committee received their report, including possible recommendations for the Ninth Assembly. Standing Committee did not finalise its recommendations to the Ninth Assembly at this meeting, and authorised five of its members to work with the Continuation Group between March and June to bring proposals to the Assembly on Standing Committee’s behalf. The proposals may be in the form of a "statement intended for the approval of the Ninth Assembly". (ASC minute 00.15.02)

5. LIKELY PROPOSALS TO THE NINTH ASSEMBLY

5.1 In keeping with the decisions taken in March 1998 and the emphasis since then on working on how the church may best live with passionately-held diverse viewpoints, the proposals or statement for the approval of the Assembly will probably include:

agreement that matters to do with sexuality which were unresolved by the 1997 Assembly will remain unresolved for a further period;

acknowledgment that these unresolved matters relate chiefly to the question of committed same-gender sexual relationships and the question of the ordination of persons living in such relationships;

affirmation that the ground of our unity in the church is our common faith in the triune God, that we are bound together by Christ, and that we will continue to work together on the issues on which there is diversity, even division, among us;

the taking of further steps to publicise the 1997 Assembly decisions on sexuality;

rejection of all forms of vilification and personal harassment.

5.2 The proposals from Standing Committee will be in the second mailing of Assembly working papers to be distributed in late June. Please note they may involve matters additional to those listed in 5.1, and that the precise wording of proposals will not be known until then.

Gregor Henderson

General Secretary