This is the aforementioned letter I sent to the RISCC concerning the discussion about same-sex marriage.
11/30/12
To the Rhode Island State Council of Churches Governing
Board,
At our last meeting of the Faith and Order Commission for
RISCC we briefly discussed the intent and focus of the statement concerning
same-sex marriage. We are very proud in the diversity of our group and of the
council and have worked hard to honor and support such diversity each time we
discern various statements and positions. This means that there have been times
when we felt certain topics or issues would best be left alone because the
unity in our diverse group would be broken. While in the eyes of many this is a
sacrifice thus far we have felt it to be a worthy sacrifice for our continued
unity as precarious it may be.
With this in mind, the general feeling of the Faith and
Order Commission (we did not take any votes) is that an endorsement of
statement on same-sex marriage would be damaging to the tenuous unity within
the council. Thus we feel that it would not be in the best interest of the
Council of Churches to officially endorse such a statement and legislature.
There are people in the Commission who strongly agree with
the tenets of the statement and others who disagree with the statement; we all
feel that such a stand will make unity near impossible. There has to be another
way.
Speaking personally, I am torn over this statement but agree
with the Commission. The relationships between mainline/progressive Christians
and more conservative, evangelical, Pentecostal denominations constantly feels
to be at the edge of tearing apart. I understand that those on the more
conservative end of the spectrum do not seem to be interested in any dialogue,
but such an endorsement may very well end any real possibility for
relationship. Endorsing such a statement will not offer a unified voice on
behalf of the various faith communities in Rhode Island but instead will create
just one more voice in the din of theological, doctrinal, and spiritual
shouting.
It is my hope that we will be able to find another way, a
third way (to reference the late Walter Wink). Finding a third way is, after
all, one of the hallmarks of our Savior, to show us another way to God’s glory.
Blessings and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Malone
Chair, Faith and Order Commission
3 comments:
Jonathan, this is an excellent letter. I empathize with your position on the Commission, as I have been in a similar place. Would that more would seek a third way.
Jonathan, this is an excellent letter. I empathize with your position on the Commission, as I have been in a similar place. Would that more would seek a third way.
thanks for the comment Lois - it is a difficult place, but then again so is the cross...
Post a Comment