On 14th June it was announced that the Tron church in Glasgow was leaving the Church of Scotland over the issue of homosexual ministers. When I first heard the news I’m not ashamed to admit that I almost danced for joy. Usually church splits sadden me because they’re normally for reasons which are secondary in nature and as Christians the call for unity is a strong one. There was once a church that spilt over the issue of having a service on Christmas day, splitting over such trifles does not magnify Christ as Head of the church. But while the call to unity is strong the call to faithfulness is stronger. Two verses spring to mind: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5v11) and “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1v8). The issue of homosexual ministers can appear to be a minor one but at its heart is a refusal to bow to the clear command of Scripture. Homosexually is declared by God as being morally wrong so to allow homosexual ministers is to go against God’s law. So for the Tron to stand up, draw their line in the sand and face an uncertain future because it is the right thing to do is exactly the example the church as a whole needs to take note of. We live in an age where cowardly Christianity is both easy and the norm, the pressures of the world make it hard to speak out and many would rather not upset the apple cart and let difficult issues lie. But as the congregation at the Tron must have grasped, this is not what we were saved to be.
I challenge you, read the statement of the minister and try to resist the great call it makes to your heart to stand up and be counted as Christ’s: “We believe the Bible is the supreme rule for what God wants us to believe and how God wants us to live. We are unashamed to retain a clear conviction about what the Bible teaches.” This is exactly the type of stand the church as a whole needs to be taking, as society more and more departs from the standards set by God then the response of the church should be to be all the more clear on what is right and what is wrong. What all too often is the response of the church is a feet dragging, shilly shallying, mumbling mumbling, gently gently, weak protest or cowardly silence with no action. Modern day Christianity is often a convictionless affair where unity is used as an excuse for avoiding the courage it takes to be faithful. The great thing about the Tron coming out is not only that other Church of Scotlands might finally find a backbone and step out in faith but also it acts as a very personal challenge to all of us. Who can read of this and not feel guilt over opportunities missed to stand up for the cause of Christ because of fear and the fact that we are secretly ashamed? But in turn, who doesn’t then feel to call to copy the act of the Tron church and stand up for what is right no matter how hard it will be because it is right and because our God is with us? My challenge then to both myself and you is that this week you would do a Tron and stand up for righteousness, stand up for Christ, step out, hold high the banner of our Lord, face the scorn, embrace the insult, ready yourself for hardship and trust in the Lord our God who has promised never to leave or forsake us. Remember the words of Joshua 1 v 9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
8 Comments
Jenny
20/6/2012 12:04:09 pm
Would it not be better if the church of Scotland was to vote no on the issues at hand therefore making the churches that agree with homosexual marriage/ministers etc. leave?
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Ben Mildred
20/6/2012 01:36:18 pm
I'm fairly sure the conservative churches would be outovted on the issue and the point is that in 2010 they did have a vote and they didn't repel the 2009 vote to allow homosexual ministers to continue.
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~~~
20/6/2012 03:43:59 pm
Worth reading this blog post by the current moderator of the CoS. One must not forget the fact that although many churchces fall underneath the banner of CoS it is their kirk session and members who vote in a minister. Therefore the ultimate decision lies with them whether to have a minister who is openly homosexual. I cant say i disagree with the Tron but many of the evangelical CoS provide a vital historical and current link to the communities they serve that many independant and other denominations can't do and it would be very sad to see more go that way. Besides most of them cant afford the cost of a moving out of their CoS buildings. Its easy to look in from the outside and judge churches that don't want a schism but you cant just dualise the two options that to leave the CoS is being faithful to the gospel and to not leave is to not have a backbone!!
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Ben M
21/6/2012 01:12:31 am
I disagree, as I stated above the command of Scripture is to seperate ourselves from those who would call themselves brothers yet are actively working against the gospel. The issue of homosexualty should not even be up for debate, it is a sin, wicked, an offense to God. The Tron has done theright thing and left placing faithfulness to Christ above all else. This is an example all other churches should follow. And as for buildings, that is just an excuse, the Lord will provide, he has promised to.
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Mark
21/6/2012 03:00:21 am
Firstly, we need to actually read what the 2011 Assembly passed. Some have talked as if what was passed this year is a final position certain to end up with the Kirk ordaining openly gay ministers. Actually what was passed is much more fluid than that. It is an interim position, a searching position, not a settled and final position. The key deliverance reads
Ben M
21/6/2012 12:30:25 pm
Thank you for expanding the argument Mark. I understand what you are saying and in considering I realize that the homosexual issue is merely one part of a wider disagreement I have with the Church of Scotland. What I think I object to is the fact that evangelical churches stay in the Church of Scotland at all and are in partnership with non-Christian ministers and liberals who do not hold to the truth. The homosexuality issue merely represents this alien match most clearly.
Ben M
21/6/2012 12:38:27 pm
To add a further point - I agree that the evangelical church element should fight, pray and strive against those that support homosexuality in the ministry but not as members of the same church. The principle "If any man comes to you and does not bring this teaching do not not take him into your house or welcome him" applies to the situation. The repeated call of Scripture is to have nothing to do with those who call themselves brother but are not.
James
21/6/2012 02:50:00 am
Whether the members vote in a minister or the Kirk is not really the issue here; that is but a distraction dressed up to sound fair and pious and reasonable. The scripture, as Ben has stressed, leave no alternative: "If any man comes to you and does not bring this teaching (that is, the doctrines of the apostles and Christ) do not not take him into your house or welcome him." Separation is a biblical duty, not an option. It matters not that they cannot afford to loose a building etc, for the Lord has promised: "Those who me honour, I too will honour". Evangelical Church's who do not separate are guilty of disobedience and a lack of faith in the faithfulness of God. I trust and pray these brief points will be considered carefully.
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