At 11:18 PM 23/08/2003 +0800, Andrew wrote: Perhaps in that part of res 84 (I think it was in part 2) we >should have just said we recognise that members of the church hold MANY (to >use your word) different positions as christian sexual ethics (can't >remember the exact words at the moment but hopefully you get my drift). >Would this represent what you mean by the third way? Are you saying >something different?
Dear Andrew, Thanks for the question. Yes, I think I am saying something slightly different. While there are many positions it is not enough just to acknowledge that. The "Third Way" is to make a conscious and definite decision not to decide for any particular ethical position *at this point in time*, but it's more than that. It is not just a "cop out" of saying we can't decide, of course we can (but the consequences would probably be disastrous for our church). Nor is it simply to acknowledge that there are a range of positions. It is a commitment to keep working on it. It is a commitment to actually DO something - to struggle with what it means to be a Uniting Church and to dialogue with those with whom we may agree on some things and disagree on others. It is a commitment to be actively working towards finding the common ground rather than just feeling that the polarity is inevitable and there is no point in doing any more work on it. I doubt that those who are most radically pushing for a definite decision for either "CISAFIM" or "Right Relationships" will find satisfaction in this third way. Only a decision in favour of their particular position may be enough for them. This concerns me deeply but this is not my main concern. My first concern is for the vast majority of the people in our church who don't want to polarise and who want the church to stay together. (No, I don't agree with EMU that the vast majority of the Uniting Church are solidly behind a hard-line CISAFIM position - or even that all those who signed the petition are. Most people just love Jesus and love his church.) I want to continue to dialogue with "CISAFIM" people. I want to continue to dialogue with the "Right Relationships" people. And I want to continue to dialogue with all the other people sit somewhere in the messy middle around these. I don't want to do a Resolution 84 and just say there are two positions and "that's just the way it is". I'm for the third way of struggling, agonising and working hard on this. I don't want to give up. Yes, I guess I do believe in miracles - that's the nature of our God. Regards, Bruce Bruce Mullan 12 Renfrew Drive Highland Park Qld 4211 Australia Office 61 7 3377 9737 Home 61 7 5574 8282 Fax 61 7 3871 0061 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/lists.htm ------------------------------------------------------
