A Fresh Look at Our Welcome…

          Without question, the people of BPC are a welcoming congregation. We also profess an openness toward differing views among people of faith, including on tough subjects. Coming this month will be an opportunity to embody these things.

          In our Vision Statement, we say Our door is open and Christ's hospitality is offered to… God's children of every background and lifestyle.

          Eight years ago, it was firmly established that this hospitality to all is to include persons who are gay or lesbian. A statement called An Affirmation of Community and Gifts was approved by the Session after prayer, study, reflection and discussion that included a joint retreat with the Deacons and several opportunities for congregational response. We looked at Biblical material, our church's Confessions, and the movement of the Spirit in our congregation's life. Part of the statement says:

We affirm our welcome to all persons who seek Jesus Christ, unbounded by background or condition, including sexual orientation; and We will continue and strengthen our welcome to all people in the name of the inclusive love of Christ, and encourage the use of their gifts in his service.

          The current standard in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order (G-6.0106b), in effect, denies the possibility of ordination as elder, deacon or minister anyone who is in a relationship with a person of the same sex. In our statement, we disagree with this rule (along with other aspects of the same paragraph).

          The Session feels that this is a time to take a fresh look at our affirmation. We have not had occasions for it to become a "front burner" topic in our church (and we do not ask to know the sexual orientation of all who come through our doors!). Many newer members in the church family aren't familiar with this position. But the controversy over the place of homosexual members of the PCUSA is still very much alive, and a very sizeable minority disagrees with what is sometimes called "paragraph b."

          In the interest of building awareness, discovering the views of the congregation now, and with the possibility of the Session voting later this year to support a resolution to the 2006 meeting of the PCUSA General Assembly that would remove paragraph b, this is the plan for June: On Sunday, June 12, I will preach on this topic; on June 19 and 26, there will be "minutes of concern" (like minutes for mission) during worship to highlight how the issue has affected the denomination; and on the 26th, there will be a chance of everyone interested to gather for a light lunch and talk together. If there seems to be a need for other opportunities, they'll be offered at times during the summer.

          As always, we seek to know the mind of Christ-which very much includes the gifts of loving and respecting even those of his family with whom we may disagree.

Peace,

Rod