A Generous Orthodoxy

ARCHBISHOP TUTU AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

assembly

Certainly history was in the making yesterday morning as the little frail looking man dressed in purple appeared in the play pen. By the end of his address the general Assembly gave him a standing ovation. " Turn the wilderness into a garden of wonderful flowers." He thanked all those who stood with him in the struggle because of them  he said, " we are free today." SPEAKING AND FACING THE TRUTH Well that's me back from te General Assembly. It has been a challenging week in many ways for so many people. Someone sent me an email asking me if the church had gagged me. when it comes to my blog.   They were referring to the moritorium that has been placed upon ministers of the Church of Scotland commenting  to the press about the induction of homosexual people into ministerial charges. It is a crude instrument that is being used to try and prevent among other things,  the press from making up ridiculous headlines.  You know the kind that have been around recently. I think it was one newspaper when reporting  on a report to the General Assembly on the issue of sex offenders attending church ran with a headline to the effect that "Kirk Supports Sex Beasts"  the truth of the report was that the Kirk is seeking to protect children at church from people who may have been involved with sex offenses. In doing so they were laying down procedures that should be followed  by the Church leaders when aware of such a person attending public worship. I don't believe the spirit of the moratorium is to prevent ministers speaking about and discussing the issues within the context of genuinely interested inquirers especially within the family of the church and community. It is more to do with preventing ministers from debating over the airwaves things that they might be better discussing face to face in a friendly manner. Certainly congregations will be expected to discuss and send their opinions to the Special Commission that has been set up to look into this matter. presI don't think it will stop me in the least from contributing to the debate. For while I contend for a "Generous Orthodoxy " (not my phrase but Brian MacLaren's the author of a book with this title) , I hope to do so with respect and courtesy for those who see things in a different light. Never the less it would be a poor church that would try to stop a minister of the Gospel speak forth that which God has called him or her to say.  However we are all responsible for our words and the effect that they can have on others.  Let us hold to the counsel of John the beloved disciple and while we may disagree learn to love each other. By the way thank you James Hogg for the photo below. You thought I looked Presidential, personally I think I look as though I'm singing a version of "I did it my way" BOGLE"S PARAPHRASE Even if your world collapses all around you. Jesus said "I will never leave you to clear it up on your own" There is nothing too difficult for Him to do. So with great confidence think about this. If you have God as your helper what else do you need. Why would you be afraid of what others might think about you?  Heb 13. 5-6 Heb 13

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Posted By: Maggie Lane   On: 29 May 2009   At: 3:49pm

A generous orthodoxy is a Brian McLaren statement of faith and the title of one of his books.

(sorry Jim!)

As someone who was presented at the General Assembly to the Moderator along with several other ‘newies’ the experience was one of mixed emotions. After 8 years of training and preparation not least having spent almost 2 of them with the folks at St Andrews Bo’ness I experienced a whole mixture of emotions last week.

 

Joy in having my call welcomed and affirmed amidst the commissioners of the Church of Scotland’s highest court, and pain at the level of disharmony that exists between us.

 

The way ahead must surely be negotiated on our knees. I cannot and will not believe I have been called to be a minister of Word and Sacrament only to have a gag placed around my mouth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most liberating news any of us can hear, let us be faithful in proclaiming it, in living it out and in humbly seeking the Lord’s face in the coming days, weeks and months.

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