Letter to Clear Lake Presbyterian Church

Dear CLPC:

At this weekend’s annual congregational meeting the question was raised about CLPC’s response to the recently ratified amendment to the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Book of Order. The Book of Order defines the freedoms and responsibilities of ministry for all PCUSA congregations. Effective July 2015, marriage will be defined in the Book of Order as "a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman...." Pastors in the PCUSA have always had the exclusive right to decide whether or not to marry a couple. Similarly, church sessions have always had the right to permit or deny the use of the church building for a wedding. This Book of Order amendment expands the freedom for pastors and sessions to include same-gender couples if they so choose.

Some have asked what this change means for CLPC’s relationship to the denomination. They want to know if we will follow other churches in our Presbytery who have initiated the “discernment” process for leaving the PCUSA. Still others want to know what this change means for me personally and for the leadership of CLPC.

Here are brief answers to those questions. There has been no conversation at session about leaving the denomination. Our affiliation with the Presbytery of New Covenant and the PCUSA does not hinder the exercise of ministry according to our theological convictions. When it comes to same gender-marriage, I continue to be guided by the conviction that God’s design for human sexual relationships is between a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant of marriage. I also believe that sin is pervasive and impacts all our lives – including sexuality, regardless of orientation. And, I also believe that God’s redemption in Christ can come in surprising and sometimes unsettling ways and that I should be slow to presume what that can look like (see Matthew 20:15).

The church at Corinth in the first century was deeply divided over the issue of meat sacrificed to idols. Church members drew up sides and presented theological arguments on both sides of the issue. For some, eating idol-sacrificed-meat was an abomination to the Lord. It was food placed in service of pagan deities and eating it was a clear-cut sin. For others, beef was beef. They argued that Christ’s work on the cross freed them to eat whatever they wanted. I think it’s interesting that from Paul’s letter to this most deeply divided congregation comes the greatest chapter on love of all time (1 Corinthians 13).

In the middle of a debate that has torn apart churches and alienated many from the Gospel, my prayer is that CLPC will go the way of 1 Corinthians 13. That doesn’t mean excusing sin or ignoring the Bible. It does mean living humbly from the level ground of the cross and always pointing ourselves and others toward Jesus. In a world of increasing polarity may we be found going the way of the cross.

Yours in Christ,

Steve