I have sorted out some impressions and observations and feelings about the Councils.
My initial reaction was one of deep disappointment because there was a close-mindness among the clergy.
Now, I feel the Council concept was creative. In fact, one pastor asked me at the end, "Have the GEC and General Board had a Jerusalem Council? They really need to talk and pray about this the way we did."
The Councils I participated in opened the way to diversity in love. There was far less clawing and shutting down of the minds than I anticipated.
The Councils were like yeast working through resistant, massive dough. It is still hard to know what was accomplished. But perhaps the approach has introduced a new, biblically based, respectful strategy to deal with differences. We are accustomed to "smoothing over" disagreements, not realizing the Holy Spirit works against us and in spite of us to realize God's will.
Hopefully, the Minister's Council will continue to push discourse. We may not have had a great deal of dialogue, but respectful discourse is so scarce in our churches and among clergy.
Young clergy and seminary profs need to know what you have done and why. It's creative.
The Senate probably won't settle this nettlesome matter. But you have broadened out understanding of how to discover God's will.
Thanks for your insight, courage, respect for our blindness, and patience.
Dr. James Scott
Former President, ABCUSA
Colleagues,
I am writing to bear witness to the importance of the Jerusalem Council process initiated by the Ministers Council. The Upstate New York Ministers Council hosted the first Jerusalem Council at First Baptist Church of Syracuse in early December. The meeting was well attended and clergy representing a broad spectrum of beliefs on homosexuality were present and all were given an opportunity to voice their views. Most did share and all who spoke did so with sensitivity and respect.
The process began with scriptural reflection and prayer which I believe set the positive tone of the discussion. There was the telling of personal stories and the sharing of personal beliefs but there was no debate.
The value of the meeting is that clergy from many perspectives, some extremely divergent perspectives, listened to one another and imagined a future for the Ministers Council and ABCUSA.
There was no solution or resolution of the question before the Ministers Council or our denomination. However, women and men who are in pastoral leadership did begin a relationship during the Jerusalem Council. Leaders who perhaps had in the past demonized one another were able to hear the testimony of many who were seeking God’s truth and God’s will.
If given the opportunity to host a Jerusalem Council it is my hope that you will lend your support. These kinds of conversations are important for Christians in a day when rancor and bickering often win the day.
In Christ’s love,
Alan Newton
Rev. Alan Newton, Executive Minister
ABC of Rochester/Genesee Region
151 Brooks Avenue
Rochester, NY 14619
anewton@localnet.com