It's Not About Love, but Integrity:

Straight AheadThe Presbyterian Church, (USA), is still dealing with questions surrounding the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. This struggle is now entering a new phase in our denomination; but it is also absorbing the energy of other mainline denominations. Periodically over the next few days, I want to make some comments to help define or clarify what I see as the real issues in this newly emerging situation. I believe that my comments will be relevant, not only to Presbyterians, but to Christians in general, as we seek to deal with a new era in our society. And while I am primarily addressing issues related to homosexuality, I think these observations may be helpful as we seek to deal with other controversial issues in the church and society at large. First, we need to understand that it's not about love, but integrity. I have a lesbian friend and I know people who are gay. I do not hate them. I am not homophobic. The issue regarding our current Constitutional situation in the PC(USA) is not about love, but integrity. When pastors and churches were leaving the PCUS to form the Presbyterian Church in America in the early '70's, they were accused of being unloving. Later, when people in the North and the South were joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, they were urged to do the "loving thing," and stay within the PC(USA.) Now, we're hearing the same thing. The implication is that if you leave the PC(USA) to join another denomination, you simply don't have enough love. This argument may tug at the heart-strings and send a few people on a "guilt trip," but it simply isn't true, and it isn't fair. If I oppose the ordination of people who are deliberately practicing a lifestyle of which I disapprove, that does not necessarily mean that I do not love those people. If someone joins another church or denomination, it doesn't necessarily follow that the person no longer loves me or my church. I know ministers who, for a variety of reasons, have served pastorates in several denominations, but who would hardly be accused of being unloving. I love Christians who are Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, United Church of Christ, and several different brands of Presbyterian. I disagree with them on points of theology--sometives vehemently --but could hardly be accused of not loving them just because we are theologically different. The suggestion that if someone takes an action based on their understanding of theology or Scripture, they are deficient in love is a dangerous and heartbreaking conclusion. It is a rush to judgment that no one has the right to make. No, the issue is integrity. How can people, on both sides of the issue, carry out their Christian commitment with integrity? This is always the important question when significant issues are being decided. Can a person who believes a decision to be wrong still, in good conscience, be a part of an institution, even though it may be seriously flawed? How does one square personal conscience with the judgment of the collective body? There are those on both sides of this particular issue who feel that the church has made a grievous mistake. Some believe that the PC(USA) has gone too far with this decision, while others believe that injustice and discrimination still pervade the church. They desire to live out their Christian calling to ministry and discipleship in faithfulness to Jesus Christ and to Almighty God. How can we say that if God is leading them in different directions they are automatically lacking in an attitude of love? That is a rather harsh judgment that smacks of self-righteousness and condescension. I am not advocating that anyone leave the Presbyterian Church, (USA.) I am truly saddened by the membership losses our denomination has already suffered and expects to suffer in the next eighteen months. I am equally saddened, however, by the insistence on the part of some that when a person acts out of a strong conviction based on an understanding of Scripture and the standards of this church, that such a person is acting in a haughty spirit or an attitude of pettiness. If we lose our integrity, then our whole Christian witness is shattered. Few of us claim to have all the answers; but if we fail to act on the light we do have, we deny the work of the Holy Spirit in our own souls. There is always the possibility that we could be wrong; but that is no excuse for doing nothing. If I were never willing to risk being wrong, I could never preach another sermon. I love many with whom I disagree; but I must also serve my God with integrity. Without integrity, even our love is tarnished.