In the world of politics, “to the victor belong the spoils.” So explained New York Senator William L. Marcy in 1832 after President Andrew Jackson replaced all White House staff members of his predecessor and foe John Quincy Adams. However, as Jackson and every subsequent president discovered, to the victor also belong the obligations of leadership.
The adoption of Amendment 10-A, the “joyfully submit” amendment, produced a different kind of victor and vanquished. Those of you who have sought the freedom to ordain lesbian and gay persons to the offices of deacon, elder and minister of Word and Sacrament have prevailed over those whose opposition has held sway till now. The “fidelity-chastity” ordination obligation will soon be replaced.
Congratulations go to you who celebrate this action. If “perseverance” were listed as a fruit of the Spirit (uh, it is!), then to you belongs a whole orchard. Ever since 1978/79, when General Assemblies adopted the Definitive Guidance that homosexual practice is not compatible with ordained service, you have pressed, pleaded and prayed for that to change. After repeated, failed attempts to eliminate the prohibition, your persistence has brought about this change. Since that breakthrough, most of you have been muting your celebrations in deference to those across the aisle — also to your credit. Nevertheless, your harvest-joy is palpable.
Do take note that among those grieving adoption of 10-A are many who also have persevered. Yes, some have left for pastures green, but the vast majority have hung in with you while disagreeing with you. What’s more, they’ve not been naïve. They have known of nearby congregations disregarding the rules, ordaining lesbian and gay members as elders and deacons. Yet most of them have elected, in the spirit of forbearance, to forego filing disciplinary charges.
To you belongs credit, also, for learning along the way. The 1991 GA received a task force’s study report that suggested that all sex between consenting adults is acceptable in the sight of God, as long as it is marked by “justice-love.” The GA repudiated the report by a well-deserved 95 percent. In 1999, most of you also repudiated unbridled hedonism by adopting your own Statement of Sexual Ethics: “More Light Presbyterians envisions that Christian sexual ethics marked by covenantal fidelity shall be the standard for all Presbyterians, irrespective of sexual orientation.”
To you also belongs the cost of victory. Earning the right to follow your consciences means that the consciences of many others now are being violated. Will you try to leverage your new freedom to produce a mandate to which they must now subscribe? Or will you respect their convictions when it comes to choosing their leaders? Will your freedom to say yes defend their freedom to say no?
To you belongs the need to jettison arguments poorly presented. Face it. While some biblical and theological scholars have shaped credible cases for allowing greater latitude in discerning individuals’ callings, some foolish arguments have been advanced, too. “God doesn’t care what goes on in bedrooms.” Nonsense. “If only you’d get to know us, you’d support us.” Flimsy. “The rest of you are just homophobes.” Unfair. Neither minimizing nor sentimentalizing nor demonizing has won over the opposition. In fact, the recent voting margin change has come primarily via attrition of voters on the other side (some have left; others have lost the heart to fight). Lest you rest on your laurels, keep in mind that the church’s most intense debates over Christology came after the Nicean Council (of 325 A.D.) “settled” the question. So too, now is the time to make your case to the church and to do so intelligently and graciously.
To you belongs a new season of leadership. Please exercise it with intelligence and grace, yea, with energy, imagination and love – to the glory of God.
—JHH
