United Reformed Church General Assembly Criticised by lesbian and gay Christians
The General Assembly of the URC meeting in Southport today (7 July 1999) recommended a statement for consideration by individual Churches and other councils which is deeply flawed and divisive. If it is finally approved it will halt the pilgrimage of the URC in its free and open discussion of sexuality issues for the foreseeable future.The statement does not represent in a balanced way the outcome of the detailed work done over the last two years. It ranges far more widely than the question raised in the original 1997 resolution, ie whether to ordain, or not, ministers in a committed same-sex relationship. Instead, it clearly condemns all homosexual people in loving, permanent and faithful unions, from Cabinet Ministers to colliers, whether or not they are URC members, or even Christians.
The Statement claims to affirm and welcome those of lesbian or gay orientation, but not if they fulfil that orientation in practice, even within permanent unions. It despises and rejects our testimonies to the power and love of God as we have experienced them. Our witness to the Church as a whole is ignored and set at naught.
No work has been done on the implications of the statement for individual congregations. But if it is approved it will apply to everyone in every URC Church, from member to elder, from musician to minister. Our Churches live and grow strong as the barriers between individual church members are broken down.
“Deepening unity will be stifled”, said Ian Buist (Secretary, URC Caucus of LGCM) today “and a premium will be put on concealment and hypocrisy, if the statement is eventually approved. For these reasons we shall therefore work to persuade every individual URC Church, District Council and Synod to reject it”.
Note to Editors: The URC Caucus of LGCM is one of a number of denominational groupings recognised by LGCM. For instance, others exist for Methodists, Evangelicals and Roman Catholics. There is also an Anglican Forum.
