From the Anglican Journal:
Sexual orientation no barrier to church leadership
staff
Oct 1, 2009
MARITES N. SISON
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Church of Southern Africa.Gays and lesbians can be leaders within the Anglican Church of Southern Africa as long as they remain celibate, its synod of bishops has declared. The statement marks the first time that ministries by homosexual clergy have been publicly recognized by an Anglican province in the African continent; many Anglican leaders of provinces in Africa regard homosexuality as a sin.
No, no, no! The attraction is not a sin, and I would be very surprised to find many African Christian leaders saying that it is. Acting on that attraction is a sin, just like acting on pride, greed, other forms of lust, gluttony, envy, anger and sloth are all sins, but being tempted to any of those things is not. This is not one step in the direction that the ACoC and TEC have taken – it is an appropriate pastoral response.
It’s somewhat alarming that our society has reached the point where it cannot distinguish between experiencing a temptation, and acting upon it.
I agree it is possible to be tempted without sinning. How often, however, does temptation lead to sin without anyone else knowing? I’m thinking here of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). In the brilliant light of God’s absolute holiness, I suspect there are very few minutes during each day when my thoughts don’t fall short of His perfect standard. All I can do is stand amazed at His grace and be eternally grateful that there is one who stood in my place.
I am fully convinced the Journal does get it but tragically refuses to accept the truth. Their sole aim in publishing this article is to blind side the minds of both parishioners and clergy into believing the actions of dioceses such as New Westminster and Niagara are just and proper. The leadership in the ACoC clearly knows the truth but adamantly refuse to accept it. Many so-called bishops including the Primate seem to believe they are superior to God and the authority of Scripture. The result is that the ACoC is quickly losing any and all claims to be Christian. The Journal is controlled by the apostates and has become nothing less than a political document with the sole aim being to deceive its readers.
“there was a clear commitment to affirm the stance of the wider Anglican Communion on matters of human sexuality.”
Herein begins the breakdown of understanding. There are two and only two, kinds of sexuality. The first is God created Holy sexuality (to use Warren’s words) to be utilized under God’s “perfect standard”. All the rest, from relative, innocent, and improperly instructed (causing confusion) young people’s exploration, to the most heinous of sex crimes is the second. We call that human sexuality. We speak of human sexuality in terms like choice understanding, freedom, education, orientation, psychological breakthrough, councilling etc. etc. Nonsense all of it.
I have great sympathy for those who suffer from sexual brokeness
I have carried that burden most of my life and still don’t trust myself. The truth is the truth, God’s creation cannot continue to be ignored by His Church. This single picture I present: one man – one woman, virgins both, united forever. God’s perfect standard for His and their Holy Sexual Ordination. Nothing more. Anything less falls under the category of “human” weakness, fraility, stupidity, fear, hatred, and ignorance. BUT NOT HUMAN SEXUALITY – there is no such thing.
To the churches of the Church let those who have ears – hear.
Frank at #3, I agree. There seems to be a substantial fraction of people who have an investment in confusing orientation and practice.
It really is same old same old, maybe I shouldn’t have bothered posting it, but this sort of thing really irritates me.
For Kate #6
You made the correct decision to post this item. It is indeed irritating but the time has long since past for readers of this political publication to know the truth. The editors and others involved in the publication of The Journal are controlled by apostates and many are being led away like sheep to the slaughter. Thanks again for keeping us up to date.
We continue to pray for the conversion and repentance of the House of Bishops including the Primate despite the clear evidence of their willingness to not only endorse apostasy but encourage its developement.