VOLUME 9 NUMBER 2 | JUNE 2015 atalyst AssACCembly of Confessing Congregations within the Uniting Church in Australia SPECIAL: Will the UCA National Assembly accept any Marriage proposals?

Anglicans launch Post-moderns and Vale Gordon confessing group the Basis of Union Moyes NEWS • 6 PETER BANNEY • 8 TRIBUTE • 17 1 Editorial

Taking a long view I write this as the Assembly of and US Presbyterians faced with a Confessing Congregations waits for church that has accepted gay mar- material about the UCA National riage. It seems to me that this could Assembly, which is in a four-page be a very longterm debate in the special section in this magazine. wider church. How well the ACC fits into the Unit- Athanasius contra mundum ing Church may well be determined (Athanasius against the world) by the UCA assembly this July. comes to mind. Five times exiled, In the Confessing Movement part Athanasius, won the battle for ortho- of this ACCatalyst we carry news doxy. Eventually. Cover photo Clarkandcomany/istockphoto.com of Anglicans building a lifeboat, John Sandeman

ACCatalyst is published by the Assembly of Executive Editor: Max Champion Email for ACCatalyst: Confessing Congregations Inc. Managing Editor: Peter Bentley [email protected] ABN 73 794 518 715 ARBN 128 001 785. Editor: John Sandeman ACCatalyst is available as a subscription only Incorporated in NSW. INC 9887628. Office: 2 Erskineville Rd, Newtown NSW ($35pa) or by becoming an ACC Supporting Liability of members is limited. Opinions 02 9550 5358 Member ($35pa concession or $60pa full) expressed in ACCatalyst do not necessarily Website: confessingcongregations.com Printed by Brougham Press, Scoresby Rd, Bay- reflect the official views of the assembly. [email protected] swater Vic. ISSN 1835 2073 Tanglewood and Internet friends Last night I was on the internet and got onto a favourite website of mine from a few years ago. Back then I was into internet Tangleword. Tan- gleword is a word game. It’s like Bog- Hilary Sandeman gle and you play against people from all over the world. In between games you chat with the other players. There was a group of us who often used to be on at the same time, so we got to chat fairly often. We would discuss each other’s personal prob- lems and we became friends - sort of. Of course when you are chatting to people on the internet, they can’t without having to pretend to be us despite all of our weaknesses and see you, you can remain anonymous. something we are not, and without shortcomings. You can lie about who you are and no having to hide our faults. The reason He wants to be a part of our most one will find out. It’s a very safe way we desire friendships like that is painful memories, and our great- to make friends, because you don’t because that is how God made us - to est shame. He wants to be a part of have to open up and make yourself relate to one another and to him. the good times as well. That’s true vulnerable. But we can treat God as if he’s on friendship, and God’s friendship is But it does not really compare a distant computer at the other end the best there is. Whether we know to true friendship, because in true of a long phone line. We tell him him from a distance or know him up friendship, people know all of your what we think he wants to hear and close is our choice to make. weaknesses and the things you we only let him into the parts of our But once we know God as a close would prefer to hide, and they love lives that we think he will approve and intimate friend, we will never you anyway. With internet friend- of. But that kind of relationship want to go back to knowing him at ships, people only find out what you will never quite satisfy us. That’s a distance, because that will only want them to find out. not a true relationship with God. ever be a poor substitute for the real As humans, what we desire are God wants to be a part of all of our thing. real friendships, where we can be lives. He wants us to make ourselves Robyn Painter is the Pastor of ourselves and feel safe and loved vulnerable to him. He wants to love Peterborough Uniting Church 2 ACC News Dr Dan: from Islam to Jesus It was my third experience of the to those who do not know Jesus. His Lin and I had the privilege of again ministry of Dr Daniel Shayesteh. By call to all is that they begin to “search having Daniel stay with us. These chance( ?), I had walked into the for truth together”. When we learned days he resides in the USA and has a Adelaide Crusade Centre in 1996. In of his intention to return to Australia large satellite TV ministry. 2013 the Hope network (60 evan- Hope Network decided to invite him This time there were three meet- gelical UCA congregations across again to Adelaide. The local ACC ings. Balaklava, 90 kms North of SA, most also connected to the ACC) branch co-sponsored him. Adelaide, drew many from sur- decided to invite Daniel to Adelaide rounding Hope Net churches. Tea as a part of his Australian tour. At Tree Gully, a suburban UC featured the time I was based in Bordertown, the topic “Is it possible to deradi- and local churches hired a bus to calise”. At Coromandel Valley UC travel to Adelaide to hear Daniel. 340 gathered to hear the message Daniel (pictured) was born into a of Daniel’s personal journey. Daniel Muslim family in Northern Iran. He has, over the years had a few threats, was a radical Muslim leader in the and many warnings . Nevertheless Free Islamic Movement which he is both passionate and fearless helped the Ayatollah Khomeini’s about the faith. Islamic Fundamentalist gov- For me the most telling part of the ernment come to power. When message is the emphasis on the per- he fell out of favour with the sonal nature of our relationship with government he fled to Turkey and our God through Jesus. For Daniel began an amazing journey to faith his discovery that the Christian God in Jesus Christ.. is Father, rather than master, was a Daniel established the or- real turning point. Again and again, ganisation “Exodus From he emphasises the personal nature Darkness” in 2000. of God in Christ. His mission is to He concludes his message with a lovingly re- photo of his wife, now called Mary, spond and three daughters, Janet, Cindy, and Debbie. A before shot with all in the traditional Hijab, and an after in jeans and T-shirt. Many were blessed by his ministry, as was I for the third time!! Pastor Grant Jewell (ACC SA) More leaders emerge A highlight for SA ACC and the whole ACC was the Third Emerging Leaders Award Camp held over 4 days 29th Jan to 1st Feb. The plan- ning team for the 3rd of these events included the instigator Rev Don Pur- dey (until his death in July), Pastor Mark Schultz (picked up the admin), Jill Schunke (prayer), Anneke van de Loo (bookstall), 5 former Awardees Malcolm Purdey and Dylan Agnew (2011), Kevin Marriot, Ellen Burford and Isaac Moore (2013) with Rod James as Convenor. Coming from rural congregations Clare, Balaklava Table group at the 2015 Emerging Leaders Award camp and Minlaton and urban churches Burnside, Glenunga, Croydon Kangaroo Island, Minlaton, Port Au- and he is pleased to know that Mark United and Coro Valley they did a gusta, Prospect Hill and Waikerie in Schultz and Dylan Agnew will be wonderful job!! SA. Speakers were Derek and Jodi responsible for ELA 2017 with other The event had 14 Awardees with Schiller, Simon Dent, Rod James and 2015 team members staying on Rod one from St George (Qld), plus Mark Schultz. ACC SA is grateful to will continue to act as a resource to Glenunga, Golden Grove, Kangarilla, Rod James for his leadership of ELA the group. 3 cisale/istockphoto.com

Public Square

by Pseudo-Maximus

Responding to makes ‘sense’ to wage war on those popular views without fear of retribu- faiths. tion is a vital part of a vibrant, open terrorism We need to examine what it means community. Sadly, Western societies, “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am ... for Muslims, Jews, Christians and too, pass laws and create conditions the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ secularists to believe in God. The that intimidate free speech. No-one “ (Ex 3:14-15) three Abrahamic religions all believe is free to ‘blaspheme’ against ‘sacred Atrocities perpetrated by Islamic in ‘One God’ who reveals himself as values’ that pander to self-indulgent extremists have shaken our confi- being unlike any other being. For life-styles or self-righteous causes. dence that disputes can be resolved Jews, the name of God, ‘I am who I Such people are ‘extremists’. The by reason. Conditioned to think that am,’ is so holy that it can scarcely be hypocrisy of shouting ‘I am Charlie’ to Australian values are universal, we said. For Christians God’s holiness is defend the right to mock Islam, and try to blame their actions on religion, embodied in Christ, who said “I am other monotheistic faiths, shouldn’t social isolation, economic hardship, the way, the truth and the life.” For be missed. Those who offend believ- Western imperialism or mental insta- Muslims Allah is the holiest name of ers in One God don’t usually extend bility. all. All of them regard blasphemy as the same right to them! But the causes of this murderous the greatest of sins! It’s not that the monotheistic faiths evil lie much deeper. In our society, In the secularist West this doesn’t are united on God and faith. But it where belief in God is treated as a make ‘sense’. Religions that originate would be a huge mistake if we were private matter, we cannot understand with Abraham are treated with scorn. to treat the evil perpetrated by ISIS, the dismay of Muslims at the failure God is widely thought of, not as the Boko Haram and others as irrational of Christians to honour God’s name awesome Creator and merciful Re- and totally foreign to Islam. While in every area of life. If we miss the deemer who calls us to new life, but not all terrorists are committed Mus- fact that Islam believes that God is as an ‘imaginary friend’ or a crutch lims, and many Muslims are appalled, the Reality whose will is to be obeyed, for weak minds and timid wills. the commitment to honour Allah and we will be impotent to respond to this When Descartes said ‘I think, there- Mohammed and shape the whole of reign of terror. fore I am’ he opened the way to think life by the teachings of the Qur’an We may set out to destroy this that ‘who I am’ is not determined by is shared by all devout Muslims. All ‘extremist ideology,’ as world lead- God (‘I am who I am’) but by what ‘I’ are aghast at the flippant attitude to ers promise, and trumpet the right think about God. blasphemy in Western nations. to freedom of expression (as Je suis In a multi-faith society that is toler- Until Western societies understand Charlie rallies call for). But, if we con- ant of diverse beliefs about God, we the absolute priority of God’s will for tinue to believe that ‘God’ is not the are mystified and horrified by laws Islamic faith and practice, we won’t One with whom we have to reckon in some Islamic nations that set the get to the heart of the problem that in all things, but is the projection of death penalty for blasphemy against has surfaced in these barbaric attacks. our private needs, we will be blind to Allah and Mohammed. A society that thinks it can mock the the challenges being posed to secular The usual Western reaction against Christian faith, which has profoundly values and Christian faith. blasphemy laws and Jihadi violence is shaped public life and institutions, Nothing that is said excuses the to argue for laws to uphold the right must ask whether, like Charlie barbarity of the terrorists! They must to ‘freedom of expression’ no matter Hebdo, freedom to mock God is a suf- be vigorously opposed. But their how offensive. The catchcry ‘Je suis ficient basis for a flourishing society fanatical desire to restore the ancient Charlie’ (‘I am Charlie’), that followed that will endure. Caliphate and honour Allah and his the brutal slaying of journalists at A Christian Church that has let prophet Mohammed, must be under- Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris, is its faith and life be marginalised, stood theologically. If you believe that typical. privatised and trivialised, must ask Islam is the completion and purifica- This is a necessary but inadequate whether it still believes that ‘the earth tion of Judaism and Christianity, it response. The freedom to express un- is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof’ 4 (Ps 24:1). Do we have a vision of they refused to welcome sinners. And in the pursuit of Holy Jihad, as in ex- the Kingdom of God that has trans- he poked fun at religious pretension. treme forms of Islam, or in the right formed the world through Christ’s Thus we are reminded that we are to freedom of expression, as in the crucified-and-risen love? Are we so flawed creatures called to believe in extreme secularism of Charlie Hebdo. convinced that Jesus is ‘the way, the God and not take ourselves too seri- This vision can be seen when we truth and the life’ (Jn 14:6) that we ously, always remembering that there draw a cartoon that removes the self- are prepared to promote a ‘culture of is a chasm between humour that is righteous ‘I’ from ‘Je Suis Charlie’ so life’ for all? soul-searching and affectionate and that it read ‘Jesus, Charlie.’ The vision Perhaps these atrocities are being satire that is vicious, demeaning and of a truly human life willed by God is used by God to awaken the Western hedonistic! to be found in the One who laid down Church? In the Bible, terrible events, There is a vision of reality not found his life for all! in which God’s goodness is violated, are sometimes the means by which the faithful have their eyes opened, their wills strengthened, and their Ian Clarkson hearts warmed. Certainly, we are be- ing prodded to ask, not how can we Did Jesus mention ‘homosexuality’? survive in a society that treats Chris- tianity as a private religion, but how Responding to the disciples’ shock on planet earth whereby the Holy can we live-out the Christian vision of at his strong statement on marriage Spirit begins the work of character a world where God is honoured and faithfulness, Jesus replied that transformation in us sinners, even human dignity upheld. some men, by birth, don’t have a drawing our own cooperation into Although Islam and Christianity desire for women and marriage. No his work enabling us to say “such have fought terrible battles, we share problem, that is natural, if unusual were some of us”. a deep dismay at how Western socie- and the word He used occurs many All sexual perversions and inver- ties ‘devalue’ God’s holy and gracious times 1 in early church (Patrisitic) sions are forgivable and changeable will. At the same time, the differ- literature. in this AD(year of our Lord) epoch. ences between us are great. It is a pity there isn’t an accept- Notice the list of the fruit of the Blasphemy is condemned in Scrip- able English word for such men flesh in Colossians. The first is im- ture. But in Christ the One accused and their female counterpart. The purity and its counter, surprisingly, of blasphemy embodies God’s mercy. Greek word in the Bible has lost its is compassion. So the promise of ‘Father forgive them’ (Lk 23:34); meaning. But most of us know men abundant life for us sexually im- ‘Love your enemies’ (Mt 5:43-48); like this. They are often noted for pure, once obsessed and possessed ‘Do not repay evil for evil but over- their sensitivity and artistic quali- with our own gratification, is a new come evil with good; Don’t avenge ties. As a father said to me recently extroversion - a holy outgoing of yourselves but leave judgment to God of his son, “he is the one most likely energy, a genuine feeling for others! (Rom 12:14ff). to remember birthdays and sense However, those who in unrepent- In Christianity, the Kingdom of what is most appreciated in a gift.” ance arrogantly and self-righteously God is not identical with any earthly I know of a church where two men pursue lawless living and force a re- kingdom. The relation between living together non-sexually con- defined law of marriage on society Church and State, which involves tribute much to their fellowship, cut themselves off from what Scrip- separate functions and mutual criti- but they are frequently pigeon- ture calls the Kingdom of God- the cism, is different from Islamic States holed as homosexuals. domain of peace, righteousness and where religion and politics are one It is grossly unfair to attack these joy. and obedience to Allah is enforced. people for their celibacy whether it This was glaring in the recent Christians are not called to make the be natural or disciplined or both. SBS coverage of the Mardi Gras. State the Church but to witness to This is a sacred thing and to sexual- All who questioned the right- God’s love before the power-brokers ise such people and force the term ness of homosexual marriage were of the day. They are to speak the homosexual upon them is abusive raged against with depictions of truth, resist evil, pray for enemies, and wrong. brain dead zombies, soon to be and look forward to the new heaven Our hope-starved culture termi- overwhelmed by the dance routine and new earth. nates its interests in food and sex of the ‘beautiful ones’ with the Ultimately, the crucifixion of Jesus and when that fails, drugs. Little commentator lauding “good has separates the two visions! In Islam it wonder suicide is skyrocketing overcome evil”. is blasphemous to believe that a holy and sexual connotations forced on Only Christ’s transforming holy prophet, or God himself, should be young people to define their beings. love turning lust into compassion humiliated. Christ’s power is dis- Some either struggle or as can do that. 2 played in triumphant suffering love. Rosaria Butterfield suggests just 1 The word Jesus uses in Matthew 19.12 is In him there is no ground for Holy Ji- continue in their homosexualising. eunouchos. It occurs for the Ethiopian official in had to kill the infidel; simply a call to But there comes a time of judg- Acts and over 300 times in ante and post Nicene writings, mostly for castrates but in other cases for costly love. The political zealot Judas ment for all of us who sin and when those who simply do not desire sexual relations betrayed Jesus; Peter was told to put that time comes, grateful indeed with the opposite gender. Here Jesus implies something quite different from the word Paul uses away his sword! are those who are found by the in 1Corinthians 6.9 meaning ‘male intercourse’ It follows that Christian teaching ever-loving Saviour. But it was this distinction which turned the Greco recognises that the pursuit of holi- Then comes what the Bible Roman world on its ear and introduced a hitherto unknown possibility, the liberty of celibacy. ness, like unholiness, can stand in the calls “sanctifying” the most real 2 http://barbwire.com/2015/04/09/1100-the- way of honouring God. Jesus accused and significant work ever done dead-end-of-sexual-sin/ the Pharisees of hypocrisy because 5 Confessing movement

‘Break glass in case of emergency’ Aussie Anglicans launch lifeboat

The Anglican Church of Australia “There is an erosion of confidence organisation to swing into action now has a confessing movement, in the truth of the Bible that has to try and help people if and when that resembles the assembly of Con- led to an erosion of teaching about something happens that is contrary fessing Congregations. Just before sexuality, the uniqueness of Christ, to God’s word.” Easter, the “Fellowship of Confessing the resurrection, about abortion, FCA differs from ACC in that Anglicans” (FCA) was launched at euthanasia, and all kinds of things, if necessary it will contain both the “Anglican Future” conference in such that this is not recognisable as conservatives within the Anglican Melbourne. historic biblical Christianity. Church and those who might wish to In recent years, the issue of homo- “And there have been faithful peo- distance themselves from it in the fu- sexuality has been tearing the Angli- ple, faithful Anglicans, still sticking ture. This might reflect the fact that can Church apart, dividing members to the scriptures,” says Condie. “What Australian Anglicans are in a very into conservative and liberal camps. happens to people who still hold to loose federation - any change passed This issue has seen a split in the the Bible’s teaching? They suddenly at the national General Synod needs Episcopal Church in the US with the become out of fellowship with their to be ratified by a local synod before launch of the conservative Angli- leaders. Who are they then in fellow- it applies to that region. This means can Church in North America, and ship with?” that conservative bulwarks like Syd- division in the worldwide Anglican We are not at the same point in ney will remain conservative. Communion. Australia, says Condie, but “many of However the Anglican Futures The official policy of the Anglican us fear that a crisis is coming in the conference was set up by local evan- Church of Australia supports tradi- Australian Anglican Church, where gelicals in Melbourne - it was not a tional marriage but the evangelicals one of our leaders – one of our Bish- Sydney-controlled event. and other conservatives see the need ops – will step outside the bounds of Unlike the Uniting Church, the for an organisation that will stand orthodoxy”. Anglican Church in this country ap- against redefinition of marriage, and Sexuality and the role of homo- pears to be moving in a conservative provide shelter if a local diocese acts sexual people in the leadership of direction as a whole. in a way that causes people to leave the church is the presenting issue in Tess Holgate and John Sandeman, Anglicanism. the modern day. “That is probably Eternity News The Fellowship of Confessing the area we’re going to fall over on, Anglicans (FCA) is a fellowship that and at that moment it’s going to be recognises Anglicans according to very hard for an orthodox Anglican US Presbyterians their doctrine, rather than by their who believes the Bible to accept the vote for gay historical practices. authority of their bishop when they “It’s a fellowship of Anglicans teach that something that the Bible marriage who particularly subscribe to, who calls sin is not sin,” says Condie. confess a particular statement of “I would much rather go to the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) faith: the Jerusalem Declaration (a wall over the resurrection or over the presbyteries have voted in favor of 16-point declaration of contempo- uniqueness of Christ than I would changing the denomination’s defini- rary orthodox Anglicanism that tries over sexuality, but that happens to be tion of marriage so that same-sex to touch on some of the key issues the issue of our day.” weddings may be conducted by in our world today),” says Richard “We have lost confidence in the PCUSA pastors and in PCUSA Condie, Archdeacon of Melbourne authority of the Bible to let us know churches. and the chairman of FCA Australia’s how we should live,” says Condie. The matter was decided on March board. “The symptom is what we decide 17, when the 86th vote – a majority Condie says the aim of the FCA is about human sexuality, but the cause of the PCUSA’s 171 presbyteries – to “promote orthodox Anglican the- is what we decide about the Bible, was cast and “Amendment 14F” was ology and practice in the Anglican and the authority of the Bible. And approved. Church of Australia and to bring life Anglicans have always been Bible The vote officially changed the and vitality into churches”. people. definition of marriage found in the In England, New Zealand and the “It is about being in fellowship PCUSA’s constitution from being United States, “we have seen an ac- with those people who are out of fel- between “a man and a woman” to commodation of the gospel message, lowship, it is about proactively creat- marriage being “a unique relation- especially around issues of sexuality” ing discussion around orthodoxy, ship between two people, tradition- says Condie. and then it is there as an emergency ally a man and a woman.” 6 Letters

Daily in your prayers Greetings in Christ’s wonderful Name. I have been reading the latest “Je Suis Charlie” edition of ACC Catalyst, how refresh- ing, what a blessing! Much of the and all that literature we are now receiving from The PCUSA is the largest of a the UCA has the name Jesus replaced When the siege in Paris occurred, I number of Presbyterian churches in with God, and Salvation/Blood of wanted to go around saying “Je suis the US, which has had a complicated Christ replaced with Social Justice. Charlie”, because I saw the incident history of Presbyterian splits and Social Justice is and should be part as a violent attack on free speech. I mergers. The Presbyterian Church of of the Church’s mission, but Christ have been concerned for some time America (similar to Australia’s Pres- comes first. about free speech in Australia, par- byterians), the Evangelical Presbyte- However at Advent 2014 I received ticularly the unreasonableness of rian Church (which ordains women) a booklet titled “We Have Seen a our “hate speech” legislation. You are among a number of Presbyterian Great Light”. Then last month a Lent- don’t need to be a psychologist to churches with a traditional view of en Study booklet came to me from an recognise that some people can be marriage. ACC member titled “Our Friend the “insulted” or “offended” very easily. Some of the PCUSA’s larger Son of God” with daily readings from If a person were accused of insult- churches have voted to leave the 18th February to 5th April 2015. Both ing or offending by a very sensitive denomination in recent years. publications are excellent and uplift- or unreasonable other, they could While change does not go into ef- ing of Jesus’ name and His love for us. then find themselves in a lot of fect until June 21, 2015, the General Be assured that every member of trouble. I must admit that I was in Assembly approved an Authoritative the Executive is daily in my prayers. favour of George Brandis’ changes Interpretation in June, 2014, that May God bless you as you strive to to that legislation, but unfortu- allows PCUSA pastors to conduct bring about reform within the UCA, nately they weren’t passed. same-sex weddings in states where it which will be a difficult task. But the issue is more complicat- is legal, until that date. So same-sex Graham Weatherhead, Victoria) ed than just about free speech. As marriages can and are being legally Christians, we are also concerned conducted now in the PCUSA. about the blasphemy issue, adding Voting will continue until all of the Too Radical another level of complexity. I have PCUSA presbyteries weigh in on the Since my last comment it has come to admit that I don’t like blas- matter. Some presbyteries who voted to mind that the suggestions I made phemy. I hate the way that no-one one way in 2010-2011 on the issue of to defeat liberalism are too late to be in TV shows can get angry without ordaining lesbians, gays, bisexuals, effective next Assembly. taking the name of Jesus Christ in transgender and queer (LGBTQ) as Desperate times require desper- vain. I stopped watching Woody deacons, elders and pastors in the ate action. My present thoughts are Allen movies a long time ago for PCUSA (called Amendment 10A), to have every Evangelical, who has a the same reason. And I get upset have reversed their vote on same- mind to resign from UCA as I have, by the way that blasphemy seems sex marriage (Amendment 14F). In should Assembly approve blessing to be OK in western society as long some cases this reflects the impact same-gender unions, to send an email as it is directed at the Christian of conservative churches leaving to Assembly advising so. To ensure God and his son, Jesus Christ, but the PCUSA-the voting balance in the protest is noted, ‘the emails be not at Muhammad or Buddha or “Swing” presbyteries has shifted. sent on the same day’. Too Radical? Hindu gods. What’s going on here? layman.org Jack Waddell. Pat Noller

7 Future of the UCA 1 Uniting Church The Basis of Union, managers, post-moderns, and what went wrong: Rev Peter Banney a retired UCA minister responds to ACCatalyst discussions on the Future of the UCA. Katherine Abetz joins in on page 15. The Uniting Church in Australia is very pleased to announce the arrival of thorough-bred triplets and wel- comes them warmly into the fold: Flexibility, Diversity and Permission-Giving, sired by Management Theory out of Incompetent Theology. Mother is blooming; father is incredibly proud but the God-parent, the UCA, is in intensive care in shock with multiple organ failure.

bviously this troublesome trio did not appear at a single stroke as triplets should but they come with the specific blessing of Assemblies about a decade ago. It is no wonder that the UCA now finds itself in what I have dubbed the condition of ‘amorphous congregationalism’ where congregations, by and large, have given up on Owhat the ‘higher’ councils have to say and are busy about their own local agenda which, in many cases, is simply survival. We have legislated for disorder and thus com- promised our unique calling. Cover illustration nullplus/istockphoto.com The Raison d’Etre of the UCA The clear statement of the aim of the exercise is basic Twain approximately. We decided to live for ourselves (we to any such analysis. At the outset, I should declare my are an enthusiastically self-congratulatory church, per- idea of the purpose for which the UCA came into exist- haps like the architects at Babel!) and in such a way that ence and I think that it squares with what is stated in the we have alienated the rest of the Christian world to the Basis of Union. It was my understanding that this was a point that no one now really wants to talk to us. We have prophetic declaration in ecclesiology, one that had very become a ‘vocation-less pseudo-denomination’ marked by serious evangelical intention on the broadest canvas. We what I have dubbed an amorphous congregationalism. were called to stand in the midst of the increasing de- nominational chaos to bear witness to that unity which The Basis of Union is both Christ’s will and his gift to the Church (Para.1, It is my view that the key to the problem is the failure B.of U.) and we were to seek, under the guidance of the to recognize the fundamental significance of the Basis of Holy Spirit, further unions to the glory of God (Para.18), Union. Clearly, the ‘legalist’ position is very problematical all of this so that the world might believe ... (John 17:23). but not nearly as dangerous as the ‘inverse legalism’ (the Therein is the evangelical outcome of the unity of the progeny of Diversity, Flexibility and Permission-Giving) Church. that emasculates the Basis of Union, killing it softly In 1981 and in the course of a fairly intense debate in by maintaining that it is ‘only a guideline’. But surely a which I was engaged, I wrote a letter in which I said to document that was the result of so much intense and the recipient, “The UCA lives to die in the cause of that prayerful effort over decades prior to the union should be (i.e. Christian) unity”. I was quite wrong. The rumours of seen in another light entirely, in fact, as the letter of the that death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote Mark Spirit to the UCA for its continuing life. It is a document 8 or just local that, under the guidance of the Spirit and in the light of the Scriptures, should have provided stability, order and, I suspect that if the UCA does most significantly, direction in its vocation for the long not seek to recover the haul - as all of the early Presidents agreed. So what went wrong? vocational vision that fired our

The Rise of the ‘Post-Modernists’: from ‘Pastocracy’ to patriarchs and the first Bureaucracy generation of members - Because of the suggestion in the “Proposed Basis of Union” that an episcopate would be a key element in this broad-canvas, Kingdom- the polity of the UCA, the paragraph on governance was studied as intensely as those on scripture and baptism oriented, prophetic role - and in this document and, again, in the final, revised version recover it in a spirit of (from which,sadly, the office of Bishop-in-Presbytery had been eliminated). penitence, confessing, Nevertheless, it was this paragraph that proved to be particularly, its hubris, it will the focal point of the attack on this foundational instru- ment with the creation of the one Church Council, a become the ‘silly salt’ of hybrid without a theological leg for support. Apart from that key failure, there were several things Matthew 5:13. wrong with this incredibly bad decision of the Assembly. In the first place, in a non-hierarchical system of much- been that we find ourselves without serious partners in vaunted inter-related councils, by what authority does dialogue that might lead to further unions. one or a combination of other councils determine to • Filioque: The first faux pas was the elimination of eliminate another? ‘filioque’ (‘and the Son’) from the Nicene Creed. For Secondly, this was the greatest insult that could be of- no real benefit, whether theological or evangelical, fered to that order of ministry that established the place this took us out of the sphere of the Western Church of the laity in the pastoral leadership and care of the flock. (where there is the possibility, slim as it appears to be, Thirdly, this was basically a breach of covenant with of productive ecumenical dialogue) into the world of those Presbyterians who had entered the UCA on the pol- Orthodox/Eastern Christianity where there is virtually ity described in the Basis of Union, members who would no chance of useful exchange. (The Orthodox never ac- not have voted for the union had the one Church Council cepted filioque.) model (instead of the Council of Elders) been written into • Polity: Then there was the issue of polity (above) the contract. which puts us in a kind of no-man’s land in discussions This was a triumph of management theory over sound with the historic traditions and with those who might theology and there are two clear implications of this want to know what we currently claim to be the theo- decision. First, the whole of the Basis of Union is thereby logical basis of the governance of our church. compromised. If this thoroughly rehearsed paragraph is • The Sexuality Debate, pursued largely on our own not beyond revision, what else in it might be seen as in terms and yet to be brought to any conclusion, has need of modernizing? (After all, as one of our Presidents frightened conservative traditions and disappointed said some years ago, the Basis of Union is thirty years others. old and really only speaks to Melbourne and Sydney • The Preamble: The recently adopted ‘Preamble’ situations!!) And, most significantly, the creation of the (notably Para.3) to the Constitution is so patently a con- Church Council moved the UCA from a ‘pastocracy’ (i.e. fession of guilt-ridden sociology/anthropology dressed pastorally informed leadership) to a bureaucracy. Some up as theology that it, too, must be quite off-putting congregations even took the ultimate management step to those who are wanting to engage in dialogue with and essentially replaced the Church Council with a small a church committed to serious theology. While this executive. Wonderfully efficient but completely, absolute- certainly does not mean that long generations of native ly, missing the point - as does the Church Council itself. peoples are eternally lost, the Australian aborigines along with the aborigines of every nation except Israel The Catalogue of our Sins were strangers to the covenants of promise, having There have been several points at which we have shown no hope and without God in the world (Ephes. 2:12). our determination to play the game our UCA way without There can be no special pleading for the Australian sisterly ecumenical consultation and the result has aborigine, nor for the rest of us. 9 Future of the UCA 1

the Basis of Union and for recognising that someone, or I write as one of half-dozen, in the Assembly suddenly stumbled across a disappearing management theory a couple of decades back. In 1999, I made reference to the dangers posed by the Assem- race. ... I was one bly’s discovery of management theory and in 2002, in of the delegates a formal response to the Assembly’s ‘Discussion Paper’ about Elders and the Church Council, I made the point to the Inaugural that the Church Council suggestion gave “undue em- phasis to principles derived from management theory at Assembly. the expense of pastorally based theories”. Consistently, since that time, I have been complaining, in letters to the President and General Secretary of the secularisation of our polity with the clear and quite inappropriate appli- cation of management concepts to theological/pastoral issues in the life of the church. Together, we depend on the mercy of God who, in But I am uneasy about Walter Abetz’s view that good Jesus Christ, has ‘gone back to the beginning of things’ in governance is simply about ensuring that things are order to unite all things in him. Ephesians 1: 9,10) done ‘decently and in order’. John Calvin would disagree • Worship: As David Gill said many years ago, we are vehemently (Institutes: IV iii 2) as I do. Also, the incipi- at our very worst on Sunday mornings, not at morn- ent congregationalism in his article is problematical and ing tea after church but in the liturgical enterprise, the requires further comment. act of corporate worship. It hasn’t improved over the However, most significantly, I really don’t think that he decades! Karl Barth and Pope Benedict (they can’t both has ‘lined up the ducks’ (to use his words) as they appear be wrong!) recognized ordered, Triune-God-centred, in the Basis of Union, a failure especially apparent in his corporate worship as that event in which the true nature enthusiasm for ‘faith communities’. Again I say, the Basis of Church and Gospel can properly be discerned. We is essentially an ecclesiological statement but one with need to do a lot of work on what is becoming a horizon- a serious evangelical purpose. The problem is that we tal exercise in the congregation’s celebration of itself, an have been so unhappily led and have degenerated into activity that, as Cardinal Ratzinger observed, is utterly such a disordered condition (of which faith communities fruitless. We need urgently to recover the combination are a clear symptom) that, right now, we have no serious of sound, informed evangelical preaching with weekly future as a Uniting church. ‘real presence’ sacramental celebration and halt the slide At this moment, one minute to midnight for the UCA, into personality-centred ‘entertainment’, the horizontal I keep recalling some words from the First Report of exercise. the JCCU. Considering the broken nature of the Body of So we have shot ourselves in the feet and in the knees Christ and the contribution to that fragmentation made and a few other places so that, specifically as the Unit- by the three denominations negotiating the union,nor for ing Church in Australia, regarding our unique vocation the rest of us. our patriarchs offered this warning. We in God and its prosecution, we have no future. We are come, the Report said, “confessing to God and to one an- just another confused exercise in survival in the midst of other the partial character of our vision, the confusion of denominational chaos. our preaching, the poverty of our worship and the weak- ness of our fellowship. If we cannot come confessing our Critique of Recent Articles sins we had better not come at all”. (p.31, my emphasis). I write as one of a disappearing race. As a fairly re- The terms of that confession, each one, remain painfully cently ordained Presbyterian minister, I was one of the relevant to our present condition. delegates to the Inaugural Assembly nearly forty years ago so these issues are close to my heart. I remember the Quo Vadis, UCA? great struggle prior to union and the joy with which the So where does the UCA go from here? promise that the UCA held was celebrated around the If it wants to go anywhere as a Unit-ing Church, the nation at its inauguration. I am grieved to contemplate answer lies, in my view, in a far more fundamental strug- its present state. So these articles by Keith Suter and gle than has been suggested in the previous articles. Walter Abetz should be received with gratitude because, I suspect that if the UCA does not seek to recover the potentially, they will provide the opportunity for serious vocational vision that fired our patriarchs and the first reflection on solutions to the very complex situation that generation of members - this broad-canvas, Kingdom- we have created. oriented, prophetic role - and recover it in a spirit of Keith Suter does us a great service by writing clearly as penitence, confessing, particularly, its hubris, it will be- a sociologist and giving us some serious food for thought come the ‘silly salt’ of Matthew 5:13. If we cannot come from ‘outside’, options that that discipline suggests. That confessing our waywardness, we had better not come at comes as a wake-up call! Naturally, we want to approach all .... the problem from a different perspective and I am sure That, I believe, is the starting point for the renewal we that he understands that very clearly. But even from the seek: a reclaiming of our specific vocation in God with Christian perspective, we may well borrow some ideas the very serious penitential acknowledgement that we from him and ‘baptize’ them into the faith. are a broken instrument. In that spirit, we may know the And all power to Walter Abetz for going in to bat for truth that it is God who has torn that he may heal. 10 Marriage Special Marriage at the crossroads A Letter provided to ACC Individual Supporting Members and Members in ACC Members congregations, groups and clusters. Reports to the Fourteenth

Greetings to you all, Assembly – The Uniting Church in Australia I am writing on behalf of the ACC National Council to advise you that the final report and recommendations The report from the Task Group on the Theology of from the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) on ‘The marriage and Public Covenants for Same-Gender Theology of marriage and Public covenants for Same- Relationships within the Uniting Church (B23) can Gender relationships within the Uniting Church’ has be downloaded along with the other Assembly papers now been released. from the 14th Assembly website: http://assembly2015. On a positive note, there is no proposal arising from uca.org.au/proposals-and-reports/ the report asking the Church to endorse ‘public cove- The Proposals on Marriage and Same gender rela- nants’ for people in same-gender relationships, or, for the tionships are included below for the information of church to redefine marriage. It simply points to the need ACC members. for more work to be done on ‘The Bible and Marriage’ and ‘Theological discernment in the Uniting Church’. Proposals: That the Assembly There is a further proposal to consider establishing a 1. receive the report on ‘The theology of marriage and ‘Task group’ to begin investigations (possibly in an ecu- same gender relationships within the Uniting Church’; menical context) ‘into the implications of changing the 2. affirm that Ministers continue to be free church’s current relationship with the Commonwealth to accept or refuse requests to celebrate Government with respect to the conduct marriages within the constraints of the of marriages’. The report highlights the Marriage Act 1961 (CTH); situation in some European countries 3. request the Standing Committee to ex- “in which Ministers do not act as plore how the UAICC and CALD commu- agents of the state in performing nities can engage in further discussions marriages. In such arrangements about marriage and same-gender issues in all marriages are civic rites, culturally appropriate ways; and and couples may subsequently 4. request the Standing Committee to: request a service of Christian (a) establish a Task Group to investi- blessing if they wish” p. 5). This gate the implications of changing the would be a very significant change Church’s current relationship with the continued next page Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages; (b) set appropriate Terms of Reference for this work, allowing for an exploration of the possibilities that this work may be undertaken in consultation with our ecu- menical partners; and (c) report, with appropriate recommenda- tions, to the Fifteenth Assembly.

11 Marriage Special

Vigilant and Prayerful

From previous page ogy of marriage in Uniting in Worship 1” (p.4). This within our society and clearly needs further theological again fails to “represent the serious theological concerns consideration. raised by the Assembly of Confessing Congregations Part (a) then of the decision of the 13th Assembly to within the UCA and other orthodox groups, especially affirm the statement of marriage by the 8th Assembly re- in relation to the misinterpretation of Scripture and the mains in the fore. In affirming our 1997 position on mar- Gnostic presuppositions of Sacred Union Ceremonies riage, the Assembly does not simply ‘note’ a past – and that bless same-sex unions” (2014 ACC response to As- implicitly outdated – state of affairs. It ‘acknowledges the sembly p. 8). current position on marriage.’ That is to say, it affirms As we approach the 14th Assembly 12-18 July 2015, I marriage between a man and a woman as a fundamental ask that all members and congregations of ACC includ- Christian belief akin to ‘acknowledging’ or ‘confessing’ ing other UCA congregations who share the Lordship of Christ’ (as in the Basis of Union). our convictions on this matter remain calm, prayerful and not to make any hasty decisions should the National Assembly act contrary to the clear witness of Scripture I ask that all members and by endorsing the blessing or the solemnising of same- congregations of ACC ... remain gender relationships. Be assured that the ACC continues to be committed calm, prayerful and not to make to upholding the faith of the Uniting Church outlined any hasty decisions in its Basis of Union, and that maintaining the faith and unity of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is of utmost concern. The negative side is that other proposals of a more I invite you to attend our National ACC Conference radical nature could still be submitted from other parts 14-16 September 2015 at Nunyara Conference Centre: Ad- of the Church or the Assembly to be considered by the elaide - “Confessing Christ in a diverse Church”, where we National Assembly. We therefore still need to be vigilant will continue to prayerfully reflect on our situation within and prayerful at all times. the UCA. Please join us for this important meeting during It is disappointing that in report to the 14th Assembly, what is a significant time in our history as a Church. the ACC’s response to the debate is inadequately sum- Grace and peace. marised as being “largely devoted to the critique of the Hedley Fihaki UiW2 service, arguing that it is a weakening of the theol- ACC Chair and on behalf of the ACC National Council

Christ, Marriage and the Uniting Church

Rod James of whom are fundamentally important for their child’s or Christians, human marriage is development as a man/husband/father or a woman/ grounded in Christ. He is the great wife/ mother. bridegroom who laid down his life for To move away from this basic understanding of mar- his bride. The church, then, is the bride riage is to move away from Christ. If a Christian denomi- of the Lamb, and these two are in a love nation were to separate itself from this understanding union as husband and wife. Husbands of marriage it would be separating itself from Christ. By and wives are therefore to submit to abiding in Christ the church bears much fruit, but if a one another out of reverence for Christ. denominational church does not abide in Christ it will be Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the ‘thrown away like a branch and will wither’. Fchurch, and wives are to honour their husbands. Within the breadth of the Uniting Church there are Since all things have been created in, through and for a number of groupings of congregations which hold to Christ, this understanding is held to be true of all hu- the reformed/evangelical faith confessed in the Basis of man marriages. Marriage is thus ontologically hetero- Union. For these groupings the above understanding of sexual, involving one man and one woman in life-long marriage is so integral to their faith in Christ that the union. Such union is the ontologically ideal environ- two are inseparable. Were the Uniting Church to move ment in which children can grow up in familial rela- away from its current biblical understanding of mar- tionship with both their mother and their father, both riage these groupings of congregations would be led by 12 Marriage Special Making sense of Scripture’s ‘Inconsistency’

Tim Keller cal adviser) before leveling the charge of inconsistency. find it frustrating when I read or hear column- First, it’s not only the Old Testament that has pro- ists, pundits, or journalists dismiss Christians scriptions about homosexuality. The New Testament as inconsistent because “they pick and choose has plenty to say about it as well. Even Jesus says, in which of the rules in the Bible to obey.” Most of- his discussion of divorce in Matthew 19:3-12, that the ten I hear, “Christians ignore lots of Old Testa- original design of God was for one man and one woman ment texts---about not eating raw meat or pork to be united as one flesh, and failing that (v. 12), persons or shellfish, not executing people for breaking should abstain from marriage and sex. the Sabbath, not wearing garments woven with However, let’s get back to considering the larger issue two kinds of material and so on. Then they condemn ho- of inconsistency regarding things mentioned in the Old Imosexuality. Aren’t you just picking and choosing what Testament no longer practiced by the New Testament you want to believe from the Bible?” people of God. Most Christians don’t know what to say I don’t expect everyone to understand that the whole when confronted about this issue. Here’s a short course Bible is about Jesus and God’s plan to redeem his people, on the relationship of the Old Testament to the New but I vainly hope that one day someone will access their Testament. common sense (or at least talk to an informed theologi- continued next page

Christ, Marriage and the Uniting Church

the Holy Spirit to hold fast to Christ rather than to the result of its ongoing controversies over sexuality. In all Uniting Church as an organisation. of this, though, the above congregations have found sig- These groupings include EL250 congregations (i.e. nificant assurance in the Church’s doctrine of marriage congregations over 250 attenders), ACC congregations, (stated by the 1997 Assembly in Perth) that “Marriage PNEUMA congregations (Pastoral Network of Evan- for Christians is the freely given consent and commit- gelicals Uniting in Mission Action, Western Australia), ment in public and before God of a man and a woman 3D Network congregations (South Australia), Hope to live together for life”. However, should the Uniting Network congregations (South Australia), Migrant Church decide to depart from this biblical doctrine the Ethnic Conferences of congregations (e.g. in the Chi- above congregations would almost certainly hold fast nese, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Korean, Sudanese, etc.), to Christ and distance themselves from the Uniting and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Con- Church. gress congregations. Beyond these groupings there are In summary, it is Jesus Christ who defines marriage. many reformed/evangelical congregations who hold to If the Uniting Church were to depart from his definition Christ with similar convictions. I estimated that 90% it would separate itself from Christ and, sadly, consign of UCA people under the age of 50 belong to congrega- itself to the dustbin of church history. tions in one of the above groupings. Rod James is Secretary of the ACC In the last decade the Uniting Church has lost many Originally published in the July 2014 edition of members and congregations and downsized itself as a ACCatalyst. 13 Marriage Special

From previous page The Old Testament devotes a good amount of space to describing the various sacrifices offered in the tabernacle (and later temple) to atone for sin so that worshipers could approach a holy God. There was also a complex set of rules for ceremonial purity and cleanness. You could only approach God in worship if you ate certain foods and not others, wore certain forms of dress, refrained from touching a variety of objects, and so on. This vividly conveyed, over and over, that human beings are spiritu- ally unclean and can’t go into God’s presence without purification. tion. This is because at that time God’s people constitut- ed a nation-state, and so all sins had civil penalties. But in the New Testament the people of God are an Because of Christ, the assembly of churches all over the world, living under ceremonial law is repealed. many different governments. The church is not a civil government, and so sins are dealt with by exhortation Because of Christ, the church is and, at worst, exclusion from membership. This is how no longer a nation-state Paul deals with a case of incest in the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 5:1ff. and 2 Cor. 2:7-11). Why this change? Under imposing civil penalties. It all Christ, the gospel is not confined to a single nation---it has been released to go into all cultures and peoples. falls into place. Once you grant the main premise of the Bible---about the surpassing significance of Christ and his salvation- But even in the Old Testament, many writers hinted --then all the various parts of the Bible make sense. Be- that the sacrifices and the temple worship regulations cause of Christ, the ceremonial law is repealed. Because pointed forward to something beyond them (cf. 1 Sam. of Christ, the church is no longer a nation-state imposing 15:21-22; Ps. 50:12-15; 51:17; Hos. 6:6). When Christ civil penalties. It all falls into place. However, if you re- appeared he declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and ject the idea of Christ as Son of God and Savior, then, of he ignored the Old Testament cleanliness laws in other course, the Bible is at best a mishmash containing some ways, touching lepers and dead bodies. inspiration and wisdom, but most of it would have to be The reason is clear. When he died on the cross the rejected as foolish or erroneous. veil in the temple tore, showing that he had done away So where does this leave us? There are only two pos- with the need for the entire sacrificial system with all its sibilities. If Christ is God, then this way of reading the cleanliness laws. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for sin, Bible makes sense. The other possibility is that you reject and now Jesus makes us clean. Christianity’s basic thesis---you don’t believe Jesus is the The entire book of Hebrews explains that the Old resurrected Son of God---and then the Bible is no sure Testament ceremonial laws were not so much abolished guide for you about much of anything. But you can’t say as fulfilled by Christ. Whenever we pray “in Jesus name” in fairness that Christians are being inconsistent with we “have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the their beliefs to follow the moral statements in the Old blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). It would, therefore, be Testament while not practicing the other ones. deeply inconsistent with the teaching of the Bible as a One way to respond to the charge of inconsistency may whole if we continued to follow the ceremonial laws. be to ask a counter-question: “Are you asking me to deny the very heart of my Christian beliefs?” If you are asked, Law Still Binding “Why do you say that?” you could respond, “If I believe The New Testament gives us further guidance about Jesus is the resurrected Son of God, I can’t follow all the how to read the Old Testament. Paul makes it clear in ‘clean laws’ of diet and practice, and I can’t offer animal places like Romans 13:8ff that the apostles understood sacrifices. All that would be to deny the power of Christ’s the Old Testament moral law to still be binding on us. death on the cross. And so those who really believe in In short, the coming of Christ changed how we worship, Christ must follow some Old Testament texts and not but not how we live. The moral law outlines God’s own others.” character---his integrity, love, and faithfulness. And This article is provided with permission and links are so everything the Old Testament says about loving our on the ACC website. It originally appeared in Redeemer neighbor, caring for the poor, generosity with our pos- Presbyterian Church’s monthly Redeemer Report. (June sessions, social relationships, and commitment to our 2012) and is available on-line at http://www.timo- family is still in force. The New Testament continues to thykeller.com/blog/2012/6/12/old-testament-law-and- forbid killing or committing adultery, and all the sex eth- the-charge-of-inconsistency ic of the Old Testament is re-stated throughout the New Tim Keller is the senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyte- Testament (Matt. 5:27-30; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 1 Tim. 1:8-11). rian Church (PCA) in Manhattan, New York. He is also If the New Testament has reaffirmed a commandment, co-founder and vice president of The Gospel Coalition. then it is still in force for us today. Tim Keller and wife Kathy were in Australia for the City The New Testament explains another change between to City Conference held in Sydney in 2014. For more the testaments. Sins continue to be sins---but the penal- resources by Tim Keller especially on gospel city ministry ties change. In the Old Testament sins like adultery or visit Redeemer City to City, and for the Australian con- incest were punishable with civil sanctions like execu- nection see: http://www.citytocityaustralia.org.au/. 14 Future of the UCA 2

Faith, order and two glass slippers

Katherine Abetz on the UCA’s tion is ‘not inconsistent’ with the Basis. Having outlined this lack of obligation, the General Secretary’s letter disregard for its Basis of Union attributes an unspecified supervisory role to the Assem- bly. He continues, ‘Rather, Clause 2 has in mind a much vivid image appears in Michael wider range of circumstances where the church is influ- Griffiths’ recent book Cinderella with enced by its Basis of Union, as it should be’. (Influenced Amnesia. He sees the church huddling perhaps, but not required to be guided under church law. and forgetful of her destiny, like Cin- This is to sever the link between faith and order; one derella dressed in the borrowed rags wonders then about the fate of the much wider range of of the world, warming herself before circumstances, given the regulations that govern them.) the dying embers of our culture. Will But all, apparently, is not lost. The General Secretary she turn and recognise the invitation writes: ‘If the church is concerned that the Constitu- to take her rightful place at the side of her prince? Will tion does not satisfactorily reflect the values, preferred sheA remember to what and to whom she has been called? processes and commitments of the Basis of Union then it Will she receive again her identity from the king and the may change the Constitution and Regulations to resolve kingdom that awaits her? 1 that concern’. (The church may change its order to reflect Humanly speaking, it wouldn’t take much to make the Basis but it is not obliged to do so.) a church. You might need a fairy godmother or two to In the story of the Uniting Church, the lack of obliga- whip up a coach (read Constitution), horses with plumes tion to be guided by the Basis was the technical finding (trendy regulations), footmen to stand behind the coach of a past president. But Clause 2 was inserted into the (that’s what Standing Committees are for, isn’t it?) and Constitution by the Assembly in 1997, as we thought, to some reliable boffins to drive the thing (what were they rectify a technical anomaly. According to the General in another life?) But of course there’s a sunset clause to Secretary, we were wrong. The anomaly remains. Where the whole scenario. Or a midnight clause to be exact. his finding stands in church law and what further anom- This kind of thinking rests on the assumption that the alies it entails are another matter. This kind of interpre- members of the Joint Commission on Church Union tation (and let us remember that it is an interpretation) were a bunch of fairy godmothers, waving a wand to is not conducive to a church worthy of the name. (But if make a church. If the Basis of Union is just a human it is a technical glitch the solution would seem simple. document, it’s no wonder some people think it’s out of No need to change the Constitution or regulations. The date and time for a replacement. (The Best of British to Assembly could reflect the values, preferred processes getting consensus to anything else!) But what if it isn’t and commitments of the Basis of Union by inserting the just a human document? What if there is a real prince Basis as a source document in the mandate of the As- who really wants the Uniting Church at his side and the sembly Legal Reference Committee.) Basis bears witness to that? That’s a different story. Meanwhile Cinderella has dropped her glass slipper Or perhaps it’s the same story read carefully. It was on the stairs of the palace. Beware midnight, Uniting the glass slipper that survived the charade at the ball. Church! Two glass slippers in fact. When the two were reunited, Katherine Abetz (ACC member in Tasmania) the prince found Cinderella. The two go together, as 1. See Clive Skews “Have we lost the vision?” in ed. W. & K. Abetz, Swimming between the Flags: Reflections on the Basis of Union (Bendigo: Middle Earth Press, 2002), 194-195. faith and order go together in the Basis. But do they go 2. The letter is dated 3rd December 2014. As the General Secretary explains, the letter is a together in the polity of the Uniting Church? Recently, response to my contention that there is a difference of intent between the amendment to the Constitution, Clause 39 and the Basis § 15 (e) [Cf.”Assemblies like all other councils can err; the Assembly General Secretary, Terence Corkin wrote to and on important matters it is therefore necessary that the Assembly should be prevented from the Presbytery of Tasmania that Clause 2 of the Constitu- acting without correction or concurrence of the wider body of the faithful.” J. Davis McCaughey, Commentary on the Basis of Union (Melbourne: Uniting Church Press, 1980), 93]. tion which states that the Uniting Church is guided by 3. Clause 2 impinges on the ecumenical standing of the Uniting Church: ‘The Church … lives and works within the faith and unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic church, guided by the Basis of Union “should not be read to mean that the its Basis of Union’. Constitution requires that the Assembly Legal Reference 4. The Constitution, Clauses 62-64. 5. Does the wider Uniting Church have the power to do so? Are we not looking here at an Committee use the Basis of Union as a superior docu- infallible Assembly? Cf. note 2 above and the letter to the ACC of 3rd November 2011 from ment”2. The Constitution is not to be read in this way? the Assembly Legal Reference Committee that states that the Constitution, Clause 39 (b) ‘was not intended to, nor does it, give power to other councils to designate, independently of the Who is reading what and how? Are the Constitution, Assembly, that certain matters are “a matter vital to the life of the church”’. regulations, Standing Committees, coachmen and all 6. Presidential Ruling 13, 1992. Cf. however statement by Norman Young, Convenor of the Methodist members of the Joint Commission on Church Union: ‘Had I not been certain that their retinue (including the Legal Reference Committee) the constitution would have to continue to be in accord with the Basis, not only in fact but as a legal requirement, I would not have given the assurance [at the point of Union] … that the Ba- detached from the witness of the Basis? What does this sis would be the charter for the ongoing life of the Uniting Church.’ (from ‘What was the inten- 3 say about how faith and order go together? tion of those people who framed the Basis of Union’, The status, authority and role of the Basis of Union within the Uniting Church in Australia, published by the Assembly, October, 1995.) Let’s be clear about this. The Assembly and other coun- 7. The General Secretary’s letter states that the Legal Reference Committee ‘has a quite specific cils are authorized to make regulations and rules that are and narrow role in assisting the Assembly and President to interpret the Constitution and 4 Regulations as law’. What then is the status of the Preamble in church law? Unless it is argued “not inconsistent” with the Constitution. But apparently to form part of the Constitution, it stands outside the alleged narrow role of the Committee. If there is no requirement in church law that the Constitu- so, how does the Committee assist in Presidential Rulings in which the President must note the Preamble (Clause 71)? 15 Emerging Leaders

2015’s Emerging leaders, with their leaders A legacy of love for the church I had the privilege of being invited to the ACC Emerg- our group and it was very interesting to hear and take ing Leaders Award Camp earlier this year. The camp, on board others’ perspectives and experiences. Derek conceived by the late Rev. Don Purdey, brings together Schiller joined us from time to time and had invaluable young leaders nominated by ACC churches for three wisdom to offer on growing in ministry and dealing with days of fellowship, teaching and training. The experi- tough theological issues like the problem of sin (Romans ences I had over those three days have changed the way I 7:14-25) and how we are to treat women in light of some view God, myself and our collective role as Christians on of the more difficult passages in the New Testament. earth, and I’m hoping that these words are one way I can Aside from the keynote sessions and small group times, pass my experience on to others. there were plenty of other opportunities for teaching and From beginning to finish, barely a moment was for connecting with God. Worship services were held wasted; the program was packed with talks, small group every morning in the chapel on site. Between songs of discussions, worship, activities and other events. That praise and times of prayer, a leader would share a devo- was not to mention mealtimes and breaks, which were tion or personal testimony about God. Thus far I have no less important because of the conversations had only really spoken about the teaching, but that really is and relationships forged. We probably packed weeks of only half the story. experiences into every day, and came out of it feeling as if Outdoor activities like soccer and water balloon throw- we’d known each other all our lives. ing were taken to with great enthusiasm, which nearly Keynote sessions were held throughout the camp with compensated for the lack of skill on display. Saturday a series of church and ACC leaders speaking: Rod James, night’s formal dinner was a memorable occasion high- Mark Schultz, Simon Dent, and Derek and Jodi Schil- lighted by an address from Lynn Arnold, an ex-Premier ler. The central focus of the camp was leadership in the of South Australia and now an Anglican priest. Finally, church, and the speakers unpacked that topic consider- the camp concert was memorable in a different way, fea- ably from different angles. We learned about our com- turing some impressive talent and some side-splittingly mission to leadership as Christians, how we can develop hilarious routines. and grow as leaders and help others to do the same, and Above all, the attitudes of the camp leaders spoke loud- about Jesus’ own approach to ministry. est to me. From start to finish, in all aspects of the camp, Being an avid note-taker, I was kept very busy by the they would jump in whenever they saw a need, often in insights, experiences and advice offered by the speakers. ways one might not normally associate with leadership; One thing emphasised from the very first talk and rein- from engaging people in conversation and ensuring forced by the rest, was that all leadership and ministry everyone was involved, to gathering up used cutlery after belongs to Christ: without him, we can do nothing, and dinner. They demonstrated, simply and very clearly, that so we should take care to always trust and depend on Christian leadership – true leadership – is about service. him, not on ourselves. Another point that stuck with I had known that intellectually, and Jesus Himself has me was that every Christian is called to be a leader: it is said it (Matthew 20:25-27), but to see it lived out was not for some chosen few (such as preachers, pastors and something quite different, like nothing I’d ever experi- worship leaders) but for all. enced. Moreover, as the camp went on, all of us awardees Helpfully, the sessions were usually followed almost began to imitate the leaders as they imitated Christ. immediately by small group discussions. Due to numbers There was no divide between leaders and everyone else; there was only one men’s small group compared to two everyone led, everyone served. The community was a for the girls, so we all got to know each other fairly well. place you wanted to be, and perhaps a glimpse of God’s The small groups provided a great forum to ask ques- kingdom to come. tions and discuss challenging issues raised by the talk; James Ross-Naylor (Member of ACC Congregation we had a great mix of personalities and backgrounds in Golden Grove, SA) 16 Obituary Gordon Moyes AC

ACC would particularly like to acknowledge the role ing the Companion of Rev Dr Gordon Moyes AC played in encouraging reform The Order of Australia movements within the Uniting Church, especially by in 2002, 2014 Christian providing advice and support to EMU and strategic en- Media Australia’s Life- couragement in the early days of the Reforming Alliance. time Achievement, Rotary Through Wesley Mission, Dr Moyes provided a promi- International’s Paul Harris nent point of leadership and service to reform move- Fellow (1978), and the ments and the wider Uniting Church. ACC is pleased to New South Wales Father include the notice provided by his family. of the Year (1986). Rev Dr Gordon Keith Moyes AC, In 2003 he was rec- MLC, B.A., LL.D., Litt.D., D.D., F.R.G.S., F.A.I.M., Gordon Moyes 1938 – 2015 ognised with the Com- F.A.I.C.D., M.A.C.E.. monwealth Government’s 17th November, 1938 – 5th April, 2015 Centenary Medal for Distinguished Service to Australia t is with deep sadness we inform you that after a brief following service as a member of the Prime Minister’s illness Rev Dr Gordon Moyes AC, died peacefully on Community Business Partnership Board and member- ISunday 5th April 2015. ship of the Prime Minister’s National Task Force on Rev Dr Gordon Moyes AC was one of Australia’s most Youth Homelessness. respected Christian leaders. He was described by former Australian Prime Minister Ordained in 1959 as a minister of the Churches of John Howard as “the epitome of effective Christian lead- Christ with ministries at Newmarket, Ascot Vale, Ararat ership” when describing the way he had grown Wesley and Cheltenham, he later was ordained in the Uniting Mission into one of the most dynamic and socially re- Church in Australia serving for 27 years as the Superin- sponsive church-based charities in the world. “And what tendent of Wesley Mission Sydney. I particularly salute is the way in which Dr Moyes has led Gordon led this church to become one of Australia’s the Wesley Mission to an understanding of the need for largest non-government welfare providers and a unique- the church, in its various outreaches to the community ly shaped multi-cultural, city-based church, passionate to change and adapt whilst retaining a deep connection about sharing God’s love in both Word and Deed. with the fundamentals of the Christian religion.” This extraordinary ministry was extensive in its Gordon was appointed by the Christian Democratic breadth, significant in its range and innovative in its Party to the New South Wales Legislative Council in scope. Financial counselling, refugee support, property 2002 and went on to have a career in politics serving redevelopment in the central business district, financial both the CDP and Family First for the next 9 years. As sustainability, employment services, child and family a cross-bench member of the New South Wales Legisla- support, disability and mental health services, media tive ouncil, Gordon Moyes pursued an agenda of social presence, retail and conference centres – where there justice, while drawing attention to what he saw as the was a need and opportunity, Gordon saw a vision to moral erosion of Australian society. As one of the few serve. members of the New South Wales Parliament with a Following Gordon’s appointment at Wesley Mission, background in social work, he was a passionate advocate his television work gained momentum through Turn for disadvantaged indigenous populations, the homeless, ‘Round Australia, a weekly half hour program, broadcast the disabled, and the unemployed. on many television stations around the country, consist- In his time as a parliamentarian he also spearheaded ently running for over 20 years. reform agendas for the juvenile justice system and fairer During Gordon Moyes’ years as Superintendent there personal injury compensation. were several ground-nor for the rest of us. breaking As a Christian Member of Parliament, his informed documentary series produced including The Discovery judgements were drawn from a foundation in the series, and specials, television series and radio programs inalienable values of justice, compassion, free will, and produced such as: An Australian Christmas at Darling morality as explained in the Word of God. Harbour television across Australia for 10 years, the mu- Evangelism remained Gordon Moyes’ great passion sic video show Swordfish and Sunday Night Live hosted through his life. “Essentially I am an evangelist: I just by Gordon which ran for nearly 18 years. want to tell people about Jesus Christ”. The ‘Discovering’ series was recognised around the Gordon died peacefully surrounded by what he de- world for its innovation. The series looked at the life of scribed as the greatest joy of his life, his loving family: Jesus and then the growth of the early Christian church his wife of 55 years, Beverley and his children Jenny and and was based on three books written by Gordon. This Ron Schepis, Peter and Trina, David and Leisl, and An- unique video series set a new standard in Australian drew and Kylie; grandchildren and great-grand-children Christian television. Michael, Georgina, Adelaide, Rachel, Ethan, Cassie, Gordon has been awarded many honours over the Jack, Brianna, Emma, Chelsea, Tom, Indiana, Scarlett years including Australia’s highest honours, includ- and Piper. David Moyes 17 Book Reviews

A short, readable, accessible guide to issues of human sexuality

A Review of Human Sexuality and for those who experience same-sex causing some debate about whether the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate, attraction’. Chapter Three includes paedophilia should also be removed compiled for the Sydney Diocesan a postscript for those who are not from the list. The Diagnostic and Commission, edited by Mark D. married. Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders Thompson, published by Anglican As might be expected from the (2013) is reported to list ‘paraphilias’ Press Australia, March 2015 (Rrp Sydney Anglican Diocese, the book as disorders in cases ‘whose satisfac- $16.95) argues from the framework of ortho- tion has entailed personal harm, or This short book offers a readable dox Christianity rather than present- risk of harm, to others’. [1] approach to a difficult topic in a lan- day attitudes in our church commu- The book is a compilation by eight guage and style nities as seems to be the tenor of the authors. The preface disclaims the that is acces- current Uniting Church enquiry. attempt to remove slight differences sible to the not To my mind, this Anglican publica- of emphasis between the chapters so theologically tion is closer to the spirit of the Basis and admits that much more could trained. The of Union § 11 in terms of ‘literary, be said and done in the area. For me, five chapters historical and scientific enquiry’, ecu- key topics for further exploration are divided menical engagement and the kind of would be: into bite-sized ‘fresh words and deeds’ which may • the possibility of homosexual disor- sub-sections, now be expected of those who act der in relation to the current search beginning ‘trustingly, in obedience to, God’s liv- for identity with ‘Where ing Word’. The last chapter exhorts • use of language by the ‘gay rights are we?’ and Christians to offer compassion to movement’, e.g. ‘homophobia’ and ‘How did we those who experience same-sex at- ‘equality’ [2] get here?’ These leading questions traction and to demonstrate cour- • the gendered and non-gendered set the scene for the first chapter: age in the face of likely incremental imago Dei [3] ‘Human Sexuality in Contemporary persecution. • the rationale for ‘gay rights’ and Context’. The four remaining chap- I found the first chapter the most emphases of the feminist movement ters cover the topics of ‘How can we useful in telling me what I didn’t [4] begin to apply the Bible’s teaching know already. It offers dates and I would class this publication as rec- to today’s context and questions?’, details in a history, commencing in ommended reading for those inside ‘What does the Bible actually say 1966, of long-term activism by the and outside ACC, and the first chap- about marriage and human sexuality ‘gay rights movement’. This process ter in particular for decision-makers and so about homosexual practice?’, includes persuading the American e.g. Federal Parliamentarians. ‘How do we speak about the Bible’s Psychological Association that ho- Katherine Abetz (BA, DTheol, Dip. teaching in such a highly charged mosexuality should be removed from Nursing, ACC Member in Tasmania public debate?’ and ‘How do we care the list of psychological disorders, and member of the Northern Cluster)

An extract from chapter one of children, and in the West in par- traced back to the original deci- A Review of Human Sexuality and ticular this has been sustained by sion to pursue autonomy rather the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ the influence of biblical teaching on than God’s good will for our lives. the subject. How do we explain the However, the modern philosophical How is it that in less than 20 fact that, as one journalist has put it, roots lie in the Enlightenment pe- years since homosexuality was “in a decade, gay marriage has gone riod of the 17th and 18th centuries discriminalised in the last Austral- from joke to dogma”?... and the birth of the conviction that ian state (Tasmania), it has now be- As one might expect, there is a personal, individual choice(and not come not only tolerated in Austral- complex range of reasons for this unthinking acceptance of biblical or ian Society, but fashionable, even remarkable transformation of com- traditional values) is the true basis promoted for its goodness? munal attitudes and broad social for morality. For millenia, monogamous acceptance, if not enthusiastic Philosophically, the view of Im- life-long marriage between a man promotion, of that which was once manuel Kant (1724-1804) that all and a woman has been recognised obliquely referred to as “the love that knowledge is a mixture of what is and celebrated as the stable basis dare not speak its name”. given to us in sense experience and for building societyand raising Ultimately the confusion can be what is contributed by the human 18 Generosity and giving to God’s work

[1] See pp. 22-25 and especially Giving Generously: Resourcing Local year I finally conceded and adopted footnote 25. Church Ministry, published by Bar- his remaining suggestion and we [2] Human Sexuality and the ton Books, has been written to help now enjoy a much healthier budget ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate states ministers and church leaders raise and a more generous congregation. that ‘Wainwright Churchill of Ho- the financial resources needed to “I saw the fruit of this book in my mosexual Behaviour Among Males fund the ministry of the local church. own church before it was written. I (New York: Hawthorn Books, 1967) The author Rod Irvine was the gave the unpublished manuscript to … introduced the term ‘homoeroto- senior minister my wardens to read and we decided phobia’, a likely precursor to the term at Figtree An- to play it by the numbers when it ‘homophobia’. Last time I checked glican Church came to the chapter on the commit- Wikipedia, it stated: ‘Homophobia in Wollongong, ment series and pledge-shaped budg- has never been listed as part of a Australia for ets. I was scared, but the congrega- clinical taxonomy of phobias’. Unlike twenty years tion responded far better than I or ‘marriage equality’ which means the and to further my leadership could have imagined. definition of marriage has to change, his leader- There was a gap in my knowledge an equal right to vote doesn’t mean ship and help that needed filling, between the gos- the definition of voting has to address the pel of grace, biblical principles and change. increasing wise application to a church, and this [3] Compare ‘it is only with the organisational book fills that gap. woman that the man can be God’s complexity of “You may think I’m appealing to image and it is only with the man the church, he completed an MBA at the worst part of your nature by of- that the woman can be God’s image’ the University of Wollongong. fering raw pragmatism and the silver in Chapter Three with Chapter Five: While the book certainly lays bullet on how to avert or manage a ‘God has created every human be- biblical and theological foundations, church budget crisis. However, Rod’s ing – those struggling with same-sex it clearly explains the practicalities book has thoughtful theological attraction and those in the LGBTI of how leaders can ask their con- reflections, especially his chapter on community no less than any other – gregations to give to God’s work in whether tithing is a biblical principle in his image’. a gracious, positive and acceptable for new covenant saints. [4] Broadly speaking, I would say way. When this is done well it brings “My suggestion is read it and get that feminism has moved from an spiritual growth, joy and unity, not copies for your deacons, wardens and emphasis on equality and, for this division or disruption. parish council to start helpful conver- purpose, unisex to an emphasis on The book can also be used as a sations and while you may not agree identity and embodiment as a wom- leadership/board/parish council/el- with everything, I will be surprised if an. The ‘gay rights’ agenda seems to ders/staff study resource, with sum- you’re not significantly impacted by try to combine equality and identity. maries and discussion questions. It its conclusions. For in the end it’s a is very helpful when the church lead- powerful story of how one man and ership team studies the principles one church wanted to ‘excel in the together and has the opportunity to grace of giving’.” mind, also opened the door to the discuss their opinions or concerns. Giving Generously: Resourcing possibility that “something previ- In his review of the book, author Local Church Ministry: $30 plus ously thought to be ontological Ray Galea, who is the senior minis- postage and can be obtained from (like gender), was actually merely ter at St Albans Multicultural Bible the author: [email protected] linguistic or a category of thought. Ministry in Rooty Hill, Sydney, or phone 0412 777 833. On the literary front, with writes: texts like Justine and Juliette, the “When it comes to this book review Marquis de Sade (1740-1814) pio- I’m unapologetically biased. I had neered a new standard for any and Rod Irvine as a mentor for three all subsequent attempts at sexual years and it transformed my think- emancipation. ing and my church on a wide range In fact, according to one social of issues including giving and gener- historian “If anyone can make the osity. Rod was ‘on the money’ (apolo- claim that he fired the first shot gies for the pun) on every issue I in the sexual revolution, it is the raised and the only time I didn’t Marquis de Sade”. follow his wisdom I paid for it. Last 19 Opinion

The meaning of Christian Unity: Thinking of our roots A Canadian, David Brattson, reflects on Christian Unity Romans 12:4f, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3 and and gives some timely reminders from considering the Philippians 1:27 and 2:2. early church. Also in the first century, the congregation at Rome wrote a letter to Christians at Corinth urging them to What is Christian unity in the Biblical sense? Jesus called heal a rift in the congregation, and to re-establish peace, for unity among Christians, but did not say what Chris- love, and unity among Christians who were in at least tian unity is, or how we can know when it exists. weekly contact with each other. The contexts, of both Is Christian unity merely two neighbouring congrega- Biblical and non-Biblical first-century letters, envisage tions of the same denomination sponsoring a joint meal? a single local church in a single city or town, and do not Or two congregations of different denominations doing speak of relations between the addressees and Christians so? Intercommunion agreements? Co-operation in the in other congregations, let alone other denominations, World Council of Churches, and similar national and such as the Gnostics. local organizations? Or did Jesus and his first followers About AD 107, Bishop Ignatius of Antioch encouraged mean nothing less that the thoroughgoing structural un- Christians in three congregations to be united to their lo- ion of two previously independent denominations? Does cal clergy. An early-third-century church manual stressed it matter whether they were both of Presbyterian herit- unity of clerics within a congregation. Both Ignatius and age, or does Christian unity require a complete structural the manual pressed for greater consolidation within the merger from different denominational families, such as local community to improve relations between Christians Presbyterian with Methodist? who had daily or weekly interactions with each other. In AD 197 the church father Tertullian saw Christian unity as being the gathering together of Christians in local public worship. The contexts, of both Biblical About AD 249, Origen identified unity in Christians and non-Biblical first-century agreeing to pray for the same request (Matthew 18:19), and in the apostles praying together in Acts 1:14. These letters, envisage a single local are persons in each other’s presence co-operating to- church in a single city or town, wards a common spiritual goal. Origen was the foremost Bible scholar and teacher of his time. and do not speak of relations The above authors classified unity with such other interpersonal traits as peace, love, gentleness, courtesy, between the addressees and meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, hospitality, and Christians in other congrega- recognition of the spiritual gifts of others. The same au- thors believed that unity is incompatible with strife, jeal- tions, let alone other denomina- ousy, arrogance, repaying evil for evil, and snobbishness. All these are attitudes or modes of relating to people with tions, such as the Gnostics. whom one is in personal contact. In the Biblical sense, unity is thus a pattern of mind The earliest Christian writings help us to understand and behaviour, a mode of conducting one-to-one inter- what “unity” means and how to work towards it. This personal relations, among Christians in frequent con- article looks at Christian literature before AD 250, when tact, and the fostering of peace, love, and harmony at memories were still fresh with the unwritten teachings the neighbourhood leve with Christians we encounter and Bible interpretations of Christ, and Christians could frequently, regardless of their denomination. recall what he and the apostles did in practice. Not mentioned in the Bible, although Christianity In John 17 Jesus prayed that Christians be united in had divided into different sects during the first cen- the same way that he and the Father are united. Not tury, official interdenominational mergers contribute knowing the way heaven is organized, we are little as- to Christian unity only to the extent that they promote sisted by this in determining what “united” means, ex- these local objectives. The original meaning of “Christian cept to observe that the Father and Son are two persons unity” meant constant—at least weekly—interaction, not in constant contact with each other. just formal quarterly or annual meetings. The sum of the The essence of Christian unity later in the first century ancient teaching is that Christian unity is interpersonal, AD was the considerate treatment and mutual forbear- not inter-bureaucratic. ance among Christ’s followers on a frequent basis: David W. T. Brattston Nova Scotia, Canada 20 The Bentley Report #4

In the beginning (of the debate) A special series in the lead up to As- but by responding sembly 2015. we serve each other and the A long, long time ago …. wider church - continuing to It is sometimes difficult to fathom be a confessing movement that the Interim Report on Sexual- as we together confess our ity (IRS) was released in 1996. It is Lord Jesus and proclaim the poignant to reflect on this time as I truth. was asked to provide the report on We value your prayers and the responses to the IRS. support for the 14th Assem- My Report was provided to the bly (12-18 July) as it con- Assembly Standing Committee in siders the UCA doctrine of early 1997 as an ‘Analysis of the marriage. If you are in Perth Responses to the Interim Report on during the Assembly come Sexuality’. It was not quite the report and join together with other that some in the Assembly Standing ACC members and PNEU- Committee thought should go as the MA members (evangelicals final report to the Assembly and was in WA) at Nedlands Unit- partly used by the then Assembly ing Church on Wednesday Media Officer to write a new report night 15th July. and that version was provided as the official report on the responses to the Assembly in 1997 (though due to From the near questions being raised at the As- past sembly, some copies of my original report were provided to Assembly Peter Bentley continues members as well). I don’t want to his series (slightly revised) go over the statistics again as they originally published in are well-known and no-one can the Reforming Alliance contradict the base of the responses virtual and sometimes increasingly newsletter Reforming March 2006, that was simply overwhelmingly op- subtle battleground with liberal No. 12. There is nothing new under posed to the revision of the Church’s theological opinion given more overt the sun. theology of sexuality and marriage preference in the UCA in an attempt Political Speak No. 10. “The church that was the ‘paradigm shift’ that to ‘help’ members change or at least is a safe place.” the Chairperson of the Assembly waver from their convictions. If you Everyone wants a safe place, and Task Group on Sexuality Rev Alistair would like to read more about the many churches have worked to make Macrae had argued for. wider debate about sexuality in the their meetings a safer place. Un- I want to make one comment UCA and how the UCA developed an fortunately, a ‘safe place’ can also be as I have often been asked what overt liberal theological orientation abused in ways that are seemingly stood out, or what was memorable. and public presence, when its mem- innocuous to most people, simply Of course much was memorable, bership has been largely theologi- because they are not aware of the including the amazing amount of cally conservative, see my overview politics within the church. Factors theological reflection and biblical articles: Liberalism, Sexuality and that can actually contribute to an material. Never has so much been the Future of the Uniting Church un-safe environment, especially for provided by the wider church in (parts 1 and 2): Available on the ACC evangelical members include care- response and it never will be again. resources website: unitingviews.com ful or subtle use of didactic ‘liberal’ Two responses in particular remain devotions, and heavily dominated with me. Both of these told of a situ- chairing of meetings and business ation in which one partner in the Marriage in Focus arrangements. It is an irony that I marriage had become an invalid and Thank you to all groups, congrega- have often heard people within the could no longer engage in physical tions and members who responded UCA criticise certain denomina- sexual intimacy. In a fallen world, to the UCA Discussion Paper on tions or evangelical groups for their where our own sexual needs take Marriage. It was helpful to receive perceived ‘dominated’ meeting prac- priority, one could expect people to copies of the responses and these tices and style and yet some Uniting ‘move on’, but these were powerful were provided to our own Task Church meetings are very similar. testimonies to the unity of marriage Group for their information. Why are some practices more ac- and to God’s grace and love as people I know it is sometimes wearying to ceptable in some contexts, but not in affirmed all their vows together. continue to respond, and certainly others? The last two decades have been a there has been an attrition factor, Peter Bentley 21 From Bella Theology and trepidation With new years come new begin- my time and my thoughts to what nings. This year sees me commenc- Spurgeon describes as ‘the highest ing a Masters of Arts in Theology at science, the loftiest speculation, the SMBC. After finishing my B.Th in mightiest philosophy’, that is the 2013, I knew that I eventually want- study of God and his word. ed to return to theological study and, When people at work ask me why halfway through last year, I started I would want to study theology, I to feel the call in a more urgent, tan- sometimes respond with some vague gible way. The time was right, God description of ministry. Sometimes I was telling me, to take the next step tell them honestly that I don’t know in my theological journey. what I’m going to do with it but I In November 2014, I received the trust God has something for me. news that I’d been officially accepted Peter Hindmarsh/More Flickr and more now, I’m realising into SMBC’s postgraduate program. that my first answer to this ques- The expected feelings of excitement tion, as to why I’m going back to and gratitude to God were also elusive full-time teaching position study more theology, is that I love mixed with feelings of apprehension for something unrelated to the field. it. Even in the midst of the endless as I counted the cost of this study. I started my course, therefore, with reading, the long word counts and First, there was the financial cost; a some trepidation. However, when I the struggling to get it all finished in very real concern for someone sup- opened up my first commentary and time, I love having the opportunity porting herself. Then, there was the began to read, I was filled with such to thoughtfully explore the depths of cost of giving up the possibility of a strong sense of peace, of joy and God’s word and to know him more. full-time work over these next few exhilaration. The conviction that this I pray now that my studies will be years. Explaining this to my col- is what I love, this is where I’m sup- used to give glory back to him in leagues has met with varied respons- posed to be. As I started preparing whatever he has for me. es – some people can’t understand my first essay I was struck by what Bella Hibbard (ACC members at why I would willingly forgo that a privilege it is to be able to devote Liverpool UC) Reflection Where are we heading? In recent years, my experiences in the church deeply rooted in revival understand what God has done in Queensland and Victoria-Tasmania history of Methodism, we miss the Christ crucified and risen. Synod meetings echoed the cries of fundamental lifestyle of evangelism Evangelism is not manipulat- the congregations. Where are we and discipleship. As we are polarized ing or forcing people into Christian heading? What is the future for us? in defining the gospel and evange- faith, but inviting them to get to As congregations shrink gradually lism, we don’t know what the gospel know Christ through the gospel in quantity and size, we try to fix the is and how to share the gospel with manifested in our lives. Unless our slippery slope in every possible way. the community and make disciples church is deeply committed to go Our progressive theological think- to fulfill the Great Commission re- back to evangelism and discipleship, ing and understanding are getting corded in Matthew 28:18-20. Mak- our cries may become lamentations stronger and deeper inside of the ing disciples and nurturing them to and we will feel that we are gone. church, but missionally, outside it grow in discipleship become theme Let us share our Christ with others does not make any difference in the and theory of our gatherings, but not in gentle Spirit and inspire them life and mission of the congrega- the lifestyle of congregations. Going to follow Jesus Christ, the crucified tions. We research, study, talk and back to the basics is a good way to and risen Lord. It is the time to start publish our findings of the health of reinforce our life and mission. I am evangelism and touch the commu- the congregations, but it does not not against growing in theological nity through our lips, lives and love. stop the closure of the congregations. thinking, but going back to the ba- It is the lifestyle of Pentecost day. What is missing in our church? sics is not barbaric or fundamental- We have rare visitors coming to our ism. When we share the gospel with Rev. Devadosan Sugirtharaj is an Sunday services and also we have the community and communicate ACC member and has ministered re- no plan to retain the next genera- our faith with the community in cently in Tasmania and is now back tions to stay in the congregations. As word and deed, the community will in Queensland. 22 ACC Resources List This is the All ACC resources (except the DVD resources) are available on the ACC ACC Website: www.confessingcongrega- tions.com A selection of ACC DVD and video resources including the 2012 Who we are Conference presentations are avail- determine matters of doctrine and able on vimeo; eg., Max Champion Within the Uniting Church context ethics according to the teaching introducing the ACC: http://vimeo. of a very broad range of theology and of the Scriptures and the faith as com/53983980 A limited range of practice, the Assembly of Confessing understood by the one, holy, catholic, earlier material is still published Congregations is a nationwide body and apostolic Church; in Disc form, and all ACC Congre- of congregations and individuals iii) calling the councils and con- gations have received ACC DVD whose vision is confessing the Lord gregations of the Uniting Church resource material for their use. Jesus Christ, proclaiming the truth, to uphold the Basis of Union and Founding Documents renewing the church. Constitution: The Charter (2006) Our goals include iv) providing biblically-grounded Statement on Sexuality (2006) l Encouraging the confession of leadership in partnership with other Confessing Statement from the Christ according to the faith of the confessing movements; Executives of the Reforming Alliance one, holy, catholic and apostolic v) developing ecumenical partner- and Evangelical Members within the church, as that faith is described in ships for the more effective procla- Uniting Church (EMU) (2006) the UCA’s Basis of Union. mation of the Gospel in our pluralist ACC Brochures and Statements l Providing resources, seminars and nation; and ACC Vision and Goals 2007-2017 conferences to build up believers, vi) establishing national, state and (2008) develop their gifts, and equip them territory bodies to implement the Cross Cultural Commission State- for life, mission and works of service. Charter as approved by the inaugu- ment (2008) l Encouraging Christian believers ral meeting of the Association, and The Church’s Social Responsibility in earnest prayer through our Prayer seeking the renewal of the Uniting (2008) Network. Church. Theological Declaration (2008) l Encouraging younger members of b) To undertake such religious, edu- Theological Declaration: Commen- the Uniting Church in their faith and cational or other charitable activities tary and Study Guide (2009) participation. which are incidental to the above Abortion in the Australian Com- l Communicating about current objectives. munity (2010) events and issues through our web- A Christian Response to Euthana- site, our national magazine ACCata- sia and Medically Assisted Suicide lyst and local newsletters. How to join us (2011) Please consider joining the ACC. Marriage: An ACC Statement What does ACC do Supporting Membership forms are (2011) available at: http://www.confessing- Bible Studies to help you? congregations.com/assembly/mem- Bible Study: Mark ISBN 978-0- bers/individual-members/ 9804493-0-3 The ACC conducts meetings, events Membership rates for support- Bible Study: Galatians ISBN 978- and seminars to assist believers to ing members: Concession (single 0-9804493-1-0 l grow in their faith and be active or couple): $40.00 pa. (financial Faith That Works: Studies in the in prayer, worship and fellowship year basis) Full (single or couples): Letter of James ACC Bible Study No. l share their faith and respond to $70.00 p.a 3. Brian Edgar (2008) ISBN 978-0- current issues in the church and the Contact (02) 9550 5358. email: 9804493-2-7 world accoffice@confessingcongregations. DVD Resources l develop their congregations as com mail: Conversations Series vibrant expressions of the Good PO Box 968 Newtown NSW 2042 No. 1 Conversations in Discipleship News. and Evangelism: A Study Guide with l experience God’s Word in action DVD (2010) ISBN 978-0-9804493- through healing broken lives and What happens next 3-4 reconciling relationships. No. 2 The Hope of a New Heaven l July 12 – 18, 2015: Uniting and New Earth: A Study Guide with Church 14th Assembly – Perth. DVD (2011) ISBN 978-0-9804493- What we want to do 6-5 The objects of the Assembly of l September14 - 16, 2015: ACC No. 3 This is Love: A Study Guide Confessing Congregations are: Annual Conference and Meeting with DVD (2012) ISBN 978-0- a) To confess Christ according to the to be held at Nunyara Conference 9804493-8-9 catholic, reformed and evangelical Centre, Adelaide. Theme: Confess- Devotional Booklets heritage in the Basis of Union, by: ing Christ in a Diverse Church Seeds For Harvesting Vol. 1 (2011) i) upholding the Scriptures’ pro- – Rev Robert Imms ISBN 978-0- phetic and apostolic testimony to 9804493-5-8 Christ as the final authority for the Seeds For Harvesting Vol. 2 (2012) Uniting Church’s faith and life; – Rev Robert Imms ISBN 978-0- ii) calling the Uniting Church to 9804493-7-2 23 our magazine and wanted to extract a Film comment again, especially as it high- lighted the work of the late Robin Williams as Episcopalian minister Father Frank, a somewhat blatantly offensive and confrontational man, but with the necessary heart of gold. While this is certainly not a great film, I wish to acknowledge the help- ful focus on pre-marital counselling. This is a solid consideration of the need to examine relationship issues and some of the sessions and role plays they have to undertake certainly raise critical relationship issues. He even has a contract that stipulates that the couple must refrain from Steve Martin in Parenthood having sexual intercourse until their wedding. Given that the majority of couples marrying cohabit today, I wonder how this would be received Hollywood gets wed by an intended couple? Lastly two intriguing Comments? I commented in the March 2015 for Rowan Atkinson’s role as Father I was doing a search on marriage ACCatalyst about Hollywood movies Gerald and his bumbling and mostly and movies, and on one site that had about marriage and asked for com- excruciating attempt at officiating at a list for the top ten movies about ments and suggestions. Thank you to his first wedding. marriage and romance was an adver- members who responded with sug- The overall orientation of most of tisement for a private investigation gestions for comment. I have chosen a the characters is toward their own en- firm that specialised in finding cheat- few, mainly more recent ‘classic films’ joyment, but every now and then love ing husbands. What does this tell us that may be more well-known. hits home, but the spectre of com- about our conflicted society? Parenthood (M, 1989) mitment is the challenge, and for the Secondly, I came across a very As a director, Ron Howard has central character Charles, an almost interesting study from the University made many fine and enjoyable films. impossible undertaking. of Rochester that was published in One of those significant films focused I see this film as really the ultimate the Journal of Consulting and Clinical on relationships and especially fami- story for a contemporary de facto Psychology. The researchers worked lies. While many films look mainly at world as the central ‘couple’ want to with couples on movie-based coun- the marriage, this one has an integral have the commitment of marriage selling and found that couples who consideration of the family and has without the public recognition, and watched relationship-centred movies many amusing, and sometimes very indeed without the blessing of God. (colloquially termed ‘chick flicks’), reflective scenes that will help people As Charles puts his ‘proposal’ to and discussed them afterwards were think more deeply about the love that Carrie when they are standing in the more likely to still be together after should be found within the married rain: Let me ask you one thing. Do three years. couple as they care for and nurture you think – after we’ve dried off, after Selma their children. we’ve spent lots more time together – While not a movie primarily about Four Weddings and a Funeral (M, you might agree *not* to marry me? marriage, this story of the Civil Rights 1994). And do you think not being married (voting rights context) march from The film that launched Hugh to me might maybe be something you Selma led by Dr Martin Luther King Grant’s somewhat intriguing career could consider doing for the rest of in 1965, also provides an ongoing has had more re-runs on TV than your life? consideration of his relationship with most films, and touches on many as- And her response is: I do. his wife Coretta, and while it does not pects of marriage. The search for love The Wedding Singer (M, 1998) dwell on some of King’s purported that is lasting is the central theme, One of the fascinating aspects of failings, it also does not seek to ra- and this is encapsulated in the film’s this film is the overall promotion of tionalise them, instead focusing hit song Love is All Around. This film monogamy and marriage being for on the ideals of marriage. The in- also includes an early consideration life as the basis for marriage. This volvement of people from different of the relationship of a homosexual is especially highlighted as faithful- churches is prominent, highlighting couple and the issues that develop in ness of ‘older’ couples is highlighted the growing and broad support the terms of the marriage culture around in cameo parts that often reveal the civil rights movement had begun to them, which in hindsight now could common understanding of grace and receive. The film certainly captures a be seen as a prominent shot across love that is extended to all couples. period and also relates to the contem- the bow in terms of the move toward This is a somewhat chaotic comedy porary era when racial tensions in the marriage revisionism. with a real bite as ‘the wedding singer’ USA have developed again in several Religion features prominently, pines for his true love, while she is areas of the south. It is very suitable with clergy officiating and also many about to be wed by a man who will for viewing on the small screen (TV comments peppered throughout, but never be faithful to her. and DVD), and may well provide the few have a personal connection with License to Wed (M, 2007) base for a good conversation. faith. The film is almost infamous I reviewed this in the second year of Peter Bentley 24