ECCLESIASTICAL TITBITS IX

Reflections on Ecclesiastical Titbits IX

The story of Sodom has for many years been understood as representing a condemnation of homosexuality. From other Biblical references it is seen that the sins of Sodom were many and varied. Sins such as pride (Ecc16:8) (Wis. 19:13-14) and lack of hospitality (Matt 10:14-15) (Luke 10: 10-12), outweighed sexual sin. (Ez. 16: 48-49)

Therefore when members of the church chose to judge homosexuals as an unworthy minority, then such judges are themselves guilty of the sins of pride and inhospitality.

We cloud the issue by saying that gay and lesbian people can come and sit in the church pews. Then we again become exclusive, by saying they are not worthy to answer a call to be church elders or to ordination. By sitting in such judgement we are guilty of the sin of pride. As “Piscator” points out, there is no medical evidence that homosexuality is a chosen state. We are born as male or female, heterosexual or homosexual. That is, this is the way we are created. Who created us? God. God looked on his creation and saw that it was very good (Gen 1:31). I for one do not chose to say to God that he made a mistake when he created homosexuals, I would rather rejoice in all of God’s creation.

When members of one fraction of the church condemn the ordination of homosexuals or the consecration of women whose ‘call” has been recognised by their Bishops are we in fact questioning God’s right to call these people?

Yes Lord we know you teach us to show love to our neighbour, to welcome all people and care for them but please Lord don’t call anyone to ministry who does not fit into our pattern of “normal”

From Kotuku

Anglican Ways Group

Minutes of a Meeting of the Anglican Ways Group held in the Sunday School Hall of St John the Evangelist Church Bishopdale, on Wednesday 13 September 2006, at 11.00 am.

CHAIR: Fr Bob Peck.

OPENING PRAYERS: Bob.

PRESENT: Bob Peck, Jenny Daniels, Michael Ladd, John Fisher, Jillian Fisher, Charlie Batterbury, (minutes), Bernard Richards.

BUSINESS:

1. Change “from ‘precious’ meeting, to ‘previous’ meeting”, on the Agenda.

2. General discussion as to why Anglican Ways has slowed down.
We should email minutes to Hugh Bowron, Lawrence Kimberley, and David Moore, any others?
What can we do to enliven interest, especially among younger people?
How to interest people in the seminars.
Us few can actually run it ok- do we need more people at these meetings?
It is not a numbers thing.
Our advertising has not been high powered. And we are more the leaven, and educational.
We need to do a few things and do them well.

3. These minutes could also go to Archdeacons, Mother Judith and the Community, and Latimer Fellowship, via Wally Behan.

4. Question we asked via the minutes, on thoughts on the Evening Services we have been holding, none.

5. Next Seminar, possibly Saturday 11 November 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
General discussion on possible topics:
- Is the Church Militant or Moribund?
– Islam and Christianity.
– Sport and Religion.
– What is a Liberal?
– Future of Three Tikanga Church.
– What is Mainstream?
– Gay issue, ordination of gay people.
– Split to two parts of the same Church.

6. We should put the minutes on the Website.

The meeting closed at 12.36 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 18 October, here.

ECCLESIASTICAL TITBITS VIII

Over the years in many places, and from many sources, I have had occasion, as many of you will have, to ponder the different expectations people have and express about being Christian. I am thinking here of illness and how it strikes us all, or nearly all of us, with its inevitable disabling effects either temporarily or permanently.

The views I have met include that of those who believe sickness results from sin and that repentance and penance, as well as true belief, will result in restoration to health. Others see it as an evil visitation signifying the presence of evil or the devil in the world. There are also those who think Christians should be exempt from illness because of their faith and special relationship with God and so on. Others are more pragmatic and accept that it is an inevitable fact of life and to be borne stoically or treated and overcome.

Truth is, sickness, with all its attendant inconveniences, troubles and even death visits the Christian and non-Christian impartially. It’s like the rain which falls on the just and the unjust without distinction or thought or sensitivity to the nature or status of the person.

For the Christian the difference comes from the way we understand God and how we use our faith to deal with illness and death. Our great advantage is that we have Christ, prayer, the sacrament of healing and a strong belief in the ultimate trustworthiness of God. We believe that whatever happens our spirit can be and will be healed. We believe that it is God’s faithfulness to us that means, in the end, we meet with Him as new beings who have been made whole through His love as expressed in the Christ. Then we will know that sickness and tribulation are part of life and borne through our faith and sharing in Christ’s suffering.

PISCATOR