December 6, 2006

Special Edition

_{Disagreement, not Division:}
^{Seeking Unity in Christ}

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth:

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are arguments among you, my brothers and sisters. I Cor. 1:10-11

I’m no Apostle Paul, but I think I know something of how he felt. It grieved him to hear of disputes that were tearing apart the fledgling Christian community.

The recent photo on the front page of The Baltimore Sun and the quotation of the Rev. Don Stroud have sparked reaction from some of the members of our churches (see article). Pastors are being asked to explain how it is that a sign, “Presbyterians Support Same-Sex Civil Marriage,” could appear in the paper after we spent time at the November presbytery meeting discerning and endorsing a thoughtfully worded statement supporting civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLTB) people, and carefully avoiding the words “civil marriage.” It is disappointing to have spent so much time and energy at the presbytery meeting coming together to carefully articulate our position and to so soon after have occasion to revisit the debate.

Last week the Layman stated in a news article that Baltimore Presbytery endorsed “civil marriage” for GLTB people, though they later corrected this misstatement. Now some of our members claim that those supporting the nineteen GLTB plaintiffs arguing before the Maryland Court of Appeals session yesterday for the right to marry may also have misrepresented Baltimore Presbytery. The actual resolution accepted at the November meeting states:

RESOLVED that the Presbytery of Baltimore supports same gender couples in covenantal relationships to have equal access to civil and legal rights granting the same privileges, benefits, protection and responsibilities as those that marriage confers in the state of Maryland and in the United States of America.

(See full text of the resolution.)

I imagine the Apostle Paul is shaking his head, dismayed that nearly 2000 years after he penned his missive to the Corinthians, the churches are still arguing. The truth is any one of us could make a sign saying Presbyterians support this cause or that cause and hold it up in front of a journalist. The Bill of Rights gives us that freedom. However, when we do this, we run the risk of suggesting to the world that Presbyterians are of one mind, and we very clearly are not.

The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians for fostering divisions. I appeal to you not to exacerbate the divisions that exist among us. I encourage you to address your grievances against one another directly to one another. Jesus taught disciples to seek harmony with one another. When a disciple has a grievance against a brother or sister, he or she should go directly to that person and seek reconciliation. (Matthew 5:23 & 24) It appears we often would rather complain about the other, talk at each other, and hope those with whom we disagree will just go away. In a conversation yesterday, the Rev. Stroud stated that he is willing to talk with those who are unhappy about the Sun article.

I pray that we will honor one another with respect and courtesy, while disagreeing over important issues. Let us in our “ministry try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ.” (Constitutional question, Book of Order, G-14.0208).

Sincerely in Service to Christ,

Anita Hendrix,

Moderator of The Presbytery of Baltimore