I'm not sure what to make of these results. My previous blogs on this issue illustrate how history makes fools of us all. The outcome appears to be a victory for Forward Together. Many of my leaders, colleagues and friends support Forward Together. Its basis of faith is something I could sign.
But I'm still concerned. The majority of presbyteries voting against the report in question is not a surprise. But the totals for individual votes cast suggest a 2 to 1 majority.
This worries me. I don't believe that there is a 2 to 1 majority of evangelical Christians in the total number of presbytery members. And, I don't care for a 'conservative moral message' as much as I long for a radical gospel message to influence church practice. The problem with the Church of Scotland is that for the last 100 years it has held on to a 'conservative moral message' with one hand, while holding a liberal anaemic gospel in the other.
What remains is the status quo, which, the report argued, was liberty of conscience for ministers. Hmm...
3 comments:
Think you hit the nail on the head here friend...this is indeed the heart of the matter - why is it easier to expend our time and energy ensuring that the Church clings to an 'outdated' moral message, than to preach a radical Gospel? I hate the triumphalism around all this - what have we achieved here...nothing at all, we certainly haven't communicated Christ (ooops didn't I promise not to rant anymore...I was working at being fluffy)
PS I am still anonymous... I can't even be 'other...what is that about?
Slight correction to my post - the figures point to a 3:2 majority. I don't think this represents evangelical/non-evangelical groupings in the church. I suspect evangelicals are closer to 50% of the leadership.
And there was me expecting a post about the band Status Quo...
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