The Church in Trouble

Church of Scotland ministers and elders are holding a special debate tonight about ministers in gay relationships. Those attending the meeting of Greenock and Paisley Presbytery will each complete a questionnaire with their conclusions on the subject. The meeting takes place as a result of the high-profile case which came to the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly last year. The Rev Scott Rennie was living in an openly gay relationship and his call to a church was challenged on the grounds that a homosexual lifestyle was not acceptable in the ministry.
The General Assembly voted to allow his move to that church but set up a Special Commission to consider the issues raised.


"Closing the stable door when the horse has bolted" comes to mind. Let's face it, the precedent has been set, so will the 'Rev' Rennie be removed from his church? Certainly not! The outcome of this debate is neither here nor there, and will not change anything. The action of placing a gay minister into a church cannot be undone. It has been accomplished.


We have used a saying in our family for a number of years now. We use it occasionally when the person who uses it, knows it is for the greater good, and very important to them. The saying is... "This is not up for discussion...". It is not an arrogant statement. In fact it is always accompanied with a caring and loving attitude. For me, the sad part is that the Church of Scotland (which is not the same as saying 'The Church of Christ') has the topic of gay ministers up for discussion. Why?


There are various reasons given for discussion.... The Bible doesn't mean what it says. Or, the Bible is outdated and doesn't relate to today. Or, since God loves everybody, why can't we have a gay minister? Or, this outdated law doesn't apply anymore. Or, we have more information now, so we can interpret scripture better now. Or maybe, we just know better than God!   


The whole church of Christ is going through a seriously bad time now. We have cases of paedophile priests and gay ministers, among other things, rocking the foundations of the established church, but we need to keep something in mind. The same Bible which is being reviewed and reinterpreted by our modern, and progressive top brass, also says, "This is My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it"! I wonder what that part means? Or do we dismiss that bit too?


If what we do in the name of the church, or of God, does not meet with His approval, it will fail, and another church will be raised up in its place. One thing is certain, The true Church will survive, but like other 'churches' in the past which had their own agenda, they will fail. The death of these churches may be slow, with many well meaning(?) and clever people going down with it, but they "will not prevail". In the meantime, no wonder people are not attracted to enter the doors of the church. It is no different in there, than outside, so why go?


The biggest enemy of the church does not come from outside. No, it comes from the ranks of the clergy and people inside. It is the work of the 'fifth column' and very, very effective it is indeed, but Hell bound all the same! (Oh dear, am I allowed to say that, or has the Bible got that wrong too?)