Letter from the Rev. Don Evans, Moderator New South Wales Synod
15 July 1997
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the head of our church.
I write this letter of encouragement at a difficult and challenging time. Reports, rumours and media headlines have added to the confusion and dismay that many across the Synod are feeling. But they cannot do justice to the deep experiences we shared in our journey through the eight days of the Assembly in Perth.
Many proposals arising from the report "Uniting Sexuality and Faith" were accepted by consensus. These included statements on the nature of marriage and the quality of human relationships.
However, after many hours of presentations, discussion and personal sharing, the Assembly came to the decision not to proceed with proposals relating to homosexuality. Any further consideration could not produce an outcome that would represent the wide range of convictions or be helpful in the ongoing life of the church.
This means that the church continues to be guided by existing policies resulting from decisions of Assembly Standing Committee in 1982, 1987 and 1994. The sexual orientation of an applicant or candidate is not of itself a bar to candidature or ordination.
Presbyteries are the usual decision-makers on individual suitability and a decision may of course depend, among other things, on the manner in which the applicant's or candidate's sexuality is expressed. Although there is an expectation in the church that its ministers will adhere to the standard of celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage, the church has not declared this to be a specific requirement of its ministers. Presbyteries are free to take this and other factors into account in their oversight of ministers.
The Assembly acknowledged the frustration and disappointment of those who were looking for greater clarity and direction in regard to these matters and expressed deep regret to those whose personal pain remains unalleviated by its inability to reach further decisions at this time.
Our President John Mavor reminded us at his Installation that we live within the tension of paradoxes and sometimes find ourselves in the "messy middle".
We are being encouraged to explore the paradoxes of our faith in continuing dialogue on these difficult matters, seeking the same attitudes of openness and compassion that prevailed during the meetings of the Assembly.
I believe we need to move a step further in our journey. In the past we have tended to meet with friends of like mind and support each other in our particular views. We have discussed and debated in meetings. But have we ever shared one to one with those whose experiences and convictions are different from ours? … different faith journeys? … different understandings of scripture? … different ways of responding to the call of Jesus? I encourage you to seek such opportunities.
In his address at the closing Communion Service, John Mavor exhorted us to "Make every effort to keep the unity" (Ephesians 4: 1-6). Please join with me in praying that our church will accept this challenge so that we may be strengthened to move through our present difficulties and prove to be authentic witnesses to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Forward together — moving with God's Spirit!
Grace and Peace
Don Evans, Moderator