A Line in the Sand

Last week, the Presbyterian Church (USA) officially changed its policy for ordination standards. Beginning in July, it will be possible for sexually active homosexuals to be ordained as deacons, elders, and ministers. For many people, this is a “line in the sand:” now that the denomination has crossed it, they can no longer in good conscience remain in the PC(USA). When I was in seminary back in the 1980’s, I wondered how I would respond if/when this time would come. Would I have to leave the PC(USA) and join a different denomination? Now that it’s happened, I know the answer. I’m staying.

I choose to remain in the PC(USA), even though I disagree with this change. I’ve studied arguments to the contrary, but I believe that the Bible speaks against homosexual activity. Someone who engages in such activity, and who believes it is consistent with God’s will for them to do so, should not be an ordained church leader. But I believe God continues to call me to serve in this denomination, for two reasons.

First, and most importantly, it’s not the big deal everyone makes it out to be. Sure; if you’re gay and you think God is calling you to ordained ministry, it matters to you. But for the rest of us, it shouldn’t be so important. At least, it shouldn’t be if we’re guided by Scripture. This issue does not rise to the level of importance in the Bible that we should disfellowship over it. Yes, I believe the Bible tells us that homosexuality is wrong. But it’s a parenthesis in the Scriptural witness; there are less than a handful of passages that deal with it. If, based solely on what the Bible teaches, we’re going to mat over something, this shouldn’t be it. There are many other things in our society that the Bible speaks much more clearly and strongly against. For example, will we deny ordination to someone who works on the Sabbath? Both testaments of the Bible go into great detail over this matter, and yet we seem to accept the fact that “good church people” violate this command without batting an eye. And again, what about treating the poor and disadvantaged of society with care and compassion? How about economic justice: making sure everyone receives fair and just payment for their labor? You can hardly read a page of the Bible without running into these issues. (By the way, according to Ezekiel 16:49, that was the real sin of Sodom, not homosexuality.) If we truly are guided by Scripture, as we claim to be, there are much bigger fish to fry and much more important issues to wrestle with. The ordination of homosexuals is not the litmus test for Scriptural authority that many people claim it to be.

Our reasons for focusing on this issue have more to do with cultural and personal preferences than they do with obedience to Scripture. Culturally, we’ve viewed heterosexual and homosexual misconduct very differently. It is only within the last couple decades that our society has not been scandalized by homosexuality, but go back forty or fifty years. Dean Martin and the rest of the “Rat Pack” were celebrated for their womanizing ways, but Rock Hudson had to hide his homosexuality if he wanted to have a career. By Scriptural standards, both were wrong. But our culture has condoned one while vilifying the other. Let’s not turn the Bible into a tool to justify cultural preferences; let’s use it to challenge and test the world around us.

There’s a second reason why I’m staying in the PC(USA): it’s the best way to witness to what I believe. For thirty-odd years, Presbyterians “on the other side” of this issue stayed and worked for change, even though the denomination repeatedly rejected their understanding of God’s will. While I disagree with them on this issue, I respect their faithfulness and perseverance. If I see something that I believe is wrong, my job as a Christian is not to cut and run; it is to challenge the error, even and especially when I get tired of dealing with it. The debate is far from over. The new policy gives each presbytery and session the authority to decide if a candidate qualifies for ordination. I will be one of hopefully many voices that will testify to the standards for ordination that I believe are right as these decisions are being made. If I, and others who view this matter like me, were to leave, there would be no testimony remaining. Unfortunately, this has already happened. Over the years, many people have left the PC(USA) out of fear that homosexuals would eventually be ordained. If they had stayed, spoken, and voted, the policy may not have changed.

There are things that are worth leaving a church over. This isn’t one of them.