I had an e-mail yesterday from a journalist working for The Sunday Times. She was doing a confidential poll of Church of Scotland ministers asking if I support the appointment of Scott Rennie as minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen. I've never met Scott Rennie, as far as I know, but his story hit the headlines in January when Aberdeen Presbytery agreed to his appointment, knowing that he will live with his male partner in the Manse. Others objected to the appointment of an openly homosexual minister and the matter will be resolved at the General Assembly in May. I said that I did not support the appointment. Her reply asked 'Will you leave the Church if he is appointed?' to which I said 'No; there is more to the Christian faith, more to my ministry and the mission of the Church that sexual ethics!' Am I right?
Today's newspapers tell the story of Carrie Prejean; she is Miss California who was taking part in the Miss USA beauty contest. (Please don't attack me for beauty contests; I'm only telling you the story; it doesn't mean I support them!) She was asked, by the host of the show, whether she supported the state of Vermont's move to legalise same-sex marriage. She is reported to have said: "in my country, and in my family, I think I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." She came second in the contest and afterwards said "after I'd answered the question, I knew that I was not going to win because of my answer. I don't take back what I said." She said she "had spoken from my heart, from my beliefs and for my God. It's not about being politically correct. For me, it's about being biblically correct."
There is no doubt that this issue makes great newspaper headlines. No matter the outcome of the debate at the General Assembly, the newspapers and other media will make great play of the Church's decision. It will be splashed all over front pages, no matter the way in which commissioners vote. Our Session Clerk will be among them. Pray for him and the 800 others as they try to make up their minds on the basis of what they hear.
If you want to discuss and debate the issue, we will be looking at same-sex relationships in our Issues series on June 10th.
My reaction: this is not the biggest issue facing the Church today. Am I right? What do you think is the biggest issue?
It seems to me much more important for us to be telling people in our community about Jesus Christ. I spent the first part of this morning in Currie High School with 360 first and second year pupils; I was leading an Assembly on Easter. I told them about Jesus, His cross and resurrection and that Jesus said "This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends." (John 15:13 The Message) They listened avidly; you could hear a pin drop for 15 minutes as they simply listened to the gospel and me telling them what I believe.
I won't leave the Church of Scotland if Scott Rennie's appointment is upheld. I will be sad because I think that goes against the Bible's view of humanity. Jim Philip used to say, about issues such as these, that he would only leave the Church of Scotland if the Church pushed him out. Wise words.
God has called me to tell people about Jesus, to persuade them to believe; for me that is the biggest issue!
