Statement by President of the Uniting Church on passing of Proposal on Ministry and Membership (Sexuality)

The Uniting Church’s 10th National Assembly today voted to accept recommendations that will allow individual presbyteries to accept people for ordination, candidature for ministry or placement in ministry on a case-by-case basis.

The recommendation reaffirms a presbyteries right to make its own decision on matters of ordination and placement of ministers. It is a clear statement reflecting previous decisions made by the Assembly on the unity and diversity of the Uniting Church.

This recommendation (proposal 84) is seen by many as opening the door to the acceptance of a homosexual person for ordination or placement in ministry.

The President of the Uniting Church, Rev Dr Dean Drayton, said the vote was a significant event in the life of the Uniting Church because “it clarified the situation in the church and sought to maintain the unity of the church, by acknowledging our diversity of understanding and interpretation.

“Every presbytery will retain its own function as a council of the church.

“Every congregation maintains its right to make its own decision on its own leadership.

“The Assembly has decided that we are a diverse church, we have great and genuinely held differences, but instead of allowing these differences to divide us, we will hold together in something greater -- our love of God and our love of the Uniting Church itself.

“I know some will be unhappy. Others will celebrate. I pray that our search for unity will not be in vain.

“ It is my hope that the wider church will see what we have done as a showing a maturity in Christ

“Instead of one view prevailing over the other, we agree to acknowledge that there are differences of interpretation and understanding and seek learn to live with each other despite those differences.

“The importance of the role and function of each presbytery has been greatly affirmed by this proposal. No one can tell them what to do or think.

“The Basis of Union (a foundational document of the Uniting Church) found ways to bring three different points of view of three different denominations together. We are keeping to that journey, seeking to live with our diversity under our common love of God.”

“It is also important to emphasise the case-by-case element of this decision. No blanket statements have been made. Individual presbyteries will deal with each individual case. Local wisdom under the love of God will prevail.

I believe this decision, after initial discussion, will allow the Uniting Church to move forward after almost 20 years of debate. It will free us to get on with the great commission before us: to proclaim the Gospel, to witness to the love of God, to befriend and help those in need and to worship in faith, hope and love.

During the course of this Assembly I will send a pastoral letter to all congregations across Australia, informing them of this decision and its implications.

I will continue to pray for the assurance of God’s love for us all in Christ’s Uniting Church in Australia.