Assembly '97 News Home page Documents next story		Secret Assembly Business blocks bridge to homosexuals Part the seventh A rough idea of clusters 6 to 9, continued. Cluster 8 had: 32.10 Request the Standing Committee to appoint a group which includes gay and lesbian members to consider and bring recommendations to the Ninth Assembly on how the Church may respond to lesbian and gay people who wish to have their commitment to a life-long faithful relationship affirmed by the Church. 25.2 that the Assembly determine (b) that ceremonies that celebrate homosexual relationships shall not be conducted by Ministers of the Uniting Church, nor held in Uniting Churches. 10. Recognise, as part of the universal Christian church, that same-sex relations violate the created good of marital union between male and female. The Uniting Church, therefore, cannot affirm homosexual relationships, and ceremonies to affirm or celebrate homosexual relationships shall not be conducted by Ministers of the Uniting Church, nor held in Uniting churches. And cluster 9 had stuff like: 32.12 (a) Affirm the principles in the Standing Committee decision in 1982, which states that AStanding Committee advise the Presbytery that in its view the sexual orientation of a candidate is not and has not been in itself a bar to ordination. A decision on the suitability of candidate may of course depend among other things on the manner in which his or her sexuality is expressed." (ASC Minute 82.12) (b) Therefore advise all ministers, parish elders councils, presbyteries and synods that applicants and candidates for ministry of the Word, ministry of Deacon and specified ministry of Youth Worker are to be assessed on an individual basis [refer Regulations 2.2.1(a)(ii), 2.2.3(b), 2.2.4(d), 2.2.8, 2.2.11, 2.3.1(b)]. (c) Advise presbyteries and synods that because all applicants and candidates for ministry of the Word, ministry of Deacon and specified ministry of Youth Worker are to be assessed on an individual basis in accordance with the Regulations, it is invalid for any presbytery or synod to establish or maintain policies which prevent certain categories of people from having their suitability for ministry considered in the specified way. 32.13 Request the Standing Committee to prepare guidelines on how the councils of the Church can more sensitively and effectively handle the application and processing of those standing for leadership positions in the Church, including the way in which people understand and express their sexuality. 25.2 that the Assembly determine (a) that self-avowed, practising homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, settled in designated ministries, or appointed to any positions of leadership; That the Assembly: 28.1 Noting that: C through baptism all people are incorporated into the body of Christ and gifted for ministry (Gal. 3: 26-29, Col. 2: 11 - 15, 37, Basis of Union Par 13, UIW Leaders Book P.37); C God affirms the worth and ministry of those whom the religious establishment rejects (John 4: 1 - 30, Luke 10: 25 - 37, Acts 10: 11 - 18); C the revelation of God continues as the Holy Spirit leads us into new understandings of the tradition (Matt 15: 1 - 9, Job, Acts 15: 1 - 35); C we are called to love one another and seek justice for all (Micah 6: 8, Mark 12: 28 - 31, 1 Cor 13); C we live by grace, not law (Romans 3: 21 - 24, Galatians 3: 11 - 14); C God's mission is to set free the captives and give new sight to the blind (Luke 4: 18 - 19, Exodus 3: 6 - 10); C resolves to welcome the gifts that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people bring to lay and ordained ministry and affirms their role as members and leaders in the Church. 28.2 Recommends that decisions by Church councils about the suitability of a person for any ministry or position of leadership in the Church will be based on discernment of their gifts and graces and their calling, and that sexuality in and of itself will not be a factor in determining suitability for any ministry or position of leadership of the Church. 12.1. Note the Standing Committee decision in 1982 that "Standing Committee advise the Presbytery that in its view the sexual orientation of a candidate is not and has not been in itself a bar to ordination. A decision on the suitability of candidate may of course depend among other things on the manner in which his or her sexuality is expressed.". (ASC Minute 82.12) 50.12.2. Advise presbyteries and synods that, where a person's sexuality violates the principles of 11.2 above, such a person is not a suitable applicant and candidate for ministry of the Word, ministry of Deacon and Specified Ministry of Youth Worker. 50.12.3. Advise presbyteries and synods that persons assessed as unsuitable under 12.2 shall be offered counselling and shall only be reconsidered when there is significant evidence of repentance from sinful behaviour and substantial progress towards change. 50.12.4. Advise presbyteries and synods that, when a person who is currently involved in ministry of the Word, ministry of Deacon and Specified Ministry of Youth Worker declares her/himself a practising homosexual, such person shall be withdrawn from ministry, offered counselling and shall only be reconsidered for settlement when there is significant evidence of repentance from sinful behaviour and substantial progress towards change. 50.13. Request Standing Committee to prepare guidelines on how the councils of the church could more sensitively and effectively handle the application and processing of those standing for leadership positions in the Church in the light of resolutions 12.1-4. *******************************************

"The Uniting Church affirms that it belongs to the people of GOD on the way to the promised end." Basis of Union, Revised edition published 1992