I sincerely hope that people watch for sub-texts in what Presbyteries and Synods have peoposed to them over the coming months.
My father used to tell stories. I do, too. As he told one story, many years ago my father, then Sunday School Superintendent, proposed a resolution at the church�s council meeting late in the year �that the Sunday School close on XY December�. What people THOUGHT he meant, and they agreed to, was: �that the Sunday School close for this year on �.� What he meant, and they agreed to, was exactly what it said: �that the Sunday School close on XY December�. His sub-text was that he was having extreme difficulty getting people to offer to be Sunday school teachers, and he wanted to make a point. (He had asked, discussed, begged, briefed, suggested, and harangued, but all to no avail.) The point was made only after a delay because it took several weeks before someone asked him the date for the Sunday School to resume in the following year. He informed the person that the Sunday School was NOT opening in the following year because the resolution said, ��close�� and why he had specifically worded the resolution that way. Now, who�s for a motion to a Presbytery that says something like, �that this Presbytery adopt the teachings of Leviticus regarding the governance of the churches, ministers, and their leaders.� Of course, the people proposing this may mean Leviticus 18 ["Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination." Leviticus 18.22]. However, others might mean Leviticus 21 [heading: The Holiness of the Priests] where only male priests are countenanced, so let�s get rid of women from our churches, and many of our male ministers, too, if they have any physical imperfection, such as even a scar. Let�s also look at Leviticus 19-20 concerning holiness and justice and penalties for disobedience. This was inspired by reading on the page Stephen Webb is keeping (http://nsw.uca.org.au/news/2003/Assembly-2003/assembly-sexuality_02-08-03.htm) What is wrong with gay sex? http://www.thinking-big.co.uk/gay_sex.htm God: So who�s next? Ah, yes, the active homosexuals. So tell me, Jarvis, what shall we do with them? Jarvis: You�re going to punish them, aren�t you? God: Why do you say that? Jarvis: Because to engage in homosexual behaviour is wrong, of course. -- Peter R. Ellis ------------------------------------------------------ - 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/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
