John Sinclair puts the Covenant Network conference of November 2004 in a long perspective

[1-18-05]

As a person in his eighty-first year, it was my privilege to attend the conference of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians in Chicago, November 4-6, 2004. Several hundred Presbyterians considered in theological depth the role which lesbian and gay members can play in the life of our congregations.

These thoughts tell my own story and reflect on our denominations journey over the last eighty years and it faced changing times. We have tried faithfully to follow Gods guidance in these matters, which after all is said and done is the only "definitive guidance."

Even though there was just a sprinkling of graying octogenarians at the conference, we found ourselves serving at times as "unofficial historians" in a denomination which has weathered change over the past eight decades. I believe that these changes have made us a richer and more faithful part of the Body of Christ.

I fully agree with William Sloan Coffin: "I believe in ethical elderhood. Longevity, far from a fiscal disaster, could represent the wealth of the nations if senior citizens ... would come together to become the advocates of compassion and the survival of the gentlest ..." (1)

A glance back over recent years

I look back to my youth in the Presbyterian Church in the 1930s. I remember my minister fathers comments about "the Machen controversy," which attempted to define "to the letter of the law" the specific doctrines which pastors and elders had to believe to become ordained. I was too young to understand all that was at stake, except I knew that my father had willingly moved from a more conservative denomination to become a Presbyterian because he wanted to serve in "a broad denomination."

I remember the woman elders in the congregation. I can not imagine a time when those gracious elderly saints would not be permitted to serve communion. The church "survived" what some thought was the usurping of male authority within the home, the church and the society.

I came to understand those issues better in the 1940s during my seminary years. Traditional doctrinal courses were well balanced with courses on Christian ethics, church history and polity. I am proud of the Presbyterian Church for having affirmed the historic principle of our polity that a judicatory has the right to determine the doctrines to be affirmed by each candidate for ordination "as guided by the Confessions of our church." That movement saved Presbyterians from putting us all into one doctrinal straight jacket!

Some of the readers can recall the ordination of the first woman as pastor of Word and Sacrament, in the mid 1950s. It was my privilege to have known that pastor and I can witness to her gifts in ministry. Now behold the renewed strength of our ministry because we have opened wide the doors to the ordination of women clergy!

The years rolled by and I joined in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. I was energized in ministry in witnessing the tearing down of the walls of racial segregation within our beloved denomination. Those were years when I felt that the world was turning "right side up" rather than "upside down." I felt that the church was becoming more relevant and honest - yes, even more Christ-like.

The church is challenged today to become fully inclusive by affirming the gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in ordained ministry. Even though I have had some "growing up" to do in my later years, I now proudly belong to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, an organization "committed to the full participation of lesbian and gay Presbyterians in the life and ordained leadership of the church."

As Amy Miracle proclaimed in her sermon, the conference for her was "a life boat ... and a break of dawn." Professor Stephanie Paulsell stated it was "like mowing a part of the grass that had never been mowed before." Susan Andrews' sermon title "Eros and Ethics" presented a healthy analysis of "The Gardens of Eros (Song of Songs) and Ethics (Genesis)." Jack Rogers led a workshop on "How I changed my mind about homosexuality," and Douglas Nave spoke about "Hard wired? What science can and cant tell us about sexuality."

The conference theme "Made in the Image of God: Thinking theologically about sex" was formatted with a collage of reflections groups meeting between the major addresses. These groups provided opportunities for dialogue between young and old, gay and straight, parents and siblings of gay and lesbians - all within a spectrum of theological viewpoints. The video "Turning Point" was premiered and critiqued. The Calhoun family whose story is shared in the video was introduced and thanked for their courage in telling their personal stories. A film crew worked during the conference and will produce a four-part series "The Calling" for adult education in our congregations. The new publication Far from Home: Tales of Presbyterian exiles relates the real life stories of lesbian and gay Presbyterians and their struggle for personal integrity and acceptance.

Not all our questions were answered. As Timothy Luke Johnson said, "We are dealing with a problem, but we are also trying to understand a great mystery. ... Lets level the playing field, affirming that both gay and straight people need to live by the same rules. Dont be too concerned about what other Christians think of us, even though these are tough days for ecumenicity..." We departed the conference with continuing concerns, but also with sage wisdom and practical guidance - above all a challenge "not to give up."

The binding component of the conference was meaningful worship in the sanctuary of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, rising magnificently amid the hubbub of Michigan Avenue. John Calvin taught that the business of the church should always be carried on "within the parenthesis of prayer." This principle was woven thoughtfully into the tapestry of each day. The organ with its 6,000 pipes, the majestic windows and stone carvings of the sanctuary, all combined to enhance our worship experiences.

As I joined in the great hymns of our Reformed tradition, certain lines took on renewed meaning:

"When chasms widen, storms arise, O Holy Spirit, be our guide ..."

"Will you leave yourself behind, if I but call your name ...?"

"Help us ... to be able to clash and forgive ..."

So what is new for us octogenarians in our churches and communities?

Paul Capetz writes: "The church is lagging behind the culture. It will have to change its position in retrospect and make apologies like those that were made for slavery." (2)

Miguel de Unamuno tells of awakening in a small inn high in the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Spain as a violent storm was raging. He asked the inn keeper if this was their usual weather. The answer was a casual comment: "This is the way that dawn comes in the Pyrenees!" Perhaps God needs to shake us awake once in a while to remind us that "the break of dawn" is not always peaceful and serene.

John H. Sinclair
November, 2004

(1) Credo, p. 165

(2) Far from Home, p.43