ENCORE ISSUE

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Understanding and guidance-the issues facing the church today demand major doses of both. Understanding is not merely a question of clarity but also of forbearance. Guidance is not only the query of where we go but of whom we trust. Individuals turn to scripture and understand the Bible in different ways. Christians turn to one another and find themselves guided in different directions. But understanding and guidance are the petitions of many Presbyterians as members of our denomination embark on a decision-making process about sexual orientation and ordination. We can do more than say a prayer. With the help of resources such as Seeking to Be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement (see sidebar) we can engage one another in candid and respectful discussion; we can ask questions of one another, ourselves, scripture and God; and we can listen.

Unlikely Companions

Just as most guidelines for studying scripture were developed in times of controversy, so too, many biblical stories were a response to conflict. I read the Bible and find that I'm being read by it. I hear scripture questioning me: What is the Spirit saying to the church? Paul's letters addressed the stress and discord of the early Christian communities. The book of Acts emerged as the early church struggled with the question of inclusiveness. Stories that tell of the conversion of individuals, such as the Ethiopian court official (Acts 8:26--40) and the Roman army officer Cornelius (Acts 10:1--33), are stories about the inclusion of the Gentiles in the new faith community, the great conundrum and controversy of the early church. Who belongs? What creates and legitimates full membership? For both the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius, the good news was heard, scriptures were opened in a new and powerful way, and baptism marked the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"The Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it has upon us at the beginning. . . . If then God gave them the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?"
(Acts 11:15--17).

In a spirit of trust and love, we promise we will

1. Treat each other respectfully so as to build trust, believing that we all desire to be faithful to Jesus the Christ.

2. Learn about various positions on the topic of disagreement.

3. State what we think we heard and ask for clarification, in an effort to be sure we understand each other.

4. Share our concerns directly with individuals or groups with whom we have disagreements in a spirit of love and respect in keeping with Jesus' teaching.

5. Focus on ideas and suggestions instead of questioning people's motives, intelligence or integrity.

6. Share our personal experiences about the subject of disagreement so that others may more fully understand our concerns.

7. Indicate where we agree with those of other viewpoints as well as where we disagree.

8. Seek to stay in community with each other though the discussion may be vigorous and full of tension.

9. Follow these additional guidelines when we meet in decision-making bodies:

· urge persons of various points of view to speak and promise to listen to these positions seriously

· seek conclusions informed by our points of agreement

· be sensitive to the feelings and concerns of those who do not agree with the majority and respect their rights of conscience

· abide by the decision of the majority and if we disagree with it and wish to change it, work for that change in ways which are consistent with these guidelines

10. Include our disagreements in our prayers, not praying for the triumph of our viewpoints, but seeking God's grace to listen attentively, to speak clearly and to remain open to the vision God holds for us all.

Adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

To order a copy of these guidelines that includes a resource exploring the 10 guidelines in more depth, call Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612, and request DMS 259-93-928; 10 cents each.

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