Forum
Dear Editor
I write concerning the recent General Assembly decision on church leadership.
After considering the implications of this decision for mission and for pastoral relationship issues, the parish council of the Hibiscus Coast Parish has expressed its disagreement with this decision in the form of a statement of dissent. This statement of dissent sets out the parish council’s reason for its disagreement with the decision.
The parish council has not taken this step lightly. It feels very strongly that the General Assembly decision is a substantial departure from the time-honoured Presbyterian tradition of testing the Spirit’s call to ordained ministry or eldership on a case-by-case basis.
The Parish council is willing to provide a copy of its statement of dissent to anyone who is interested.
Max Edward, Parish Clerk
Dear Editor
I thoroughly endorse letters in Spanz Forum December 2004 (Issue 21, P10). Centuries of the Church of Rome and then Protestant non-inclusion of women, the pushing of inequality of gender, plus readings and sermons about women with the added description of “flesh, sin, whore” has organised society to commit horrendous crimes against any perceived-to-be-inferior or down and out gender/person.
To now accept women and to equalise the genders should also involve picking up those others perceived to be “down and outs” and giving them back the dignity they deserve. Christ had no policy on homosexuals.
The Church of Rome might preach “love thy neighbour” and of “hairs on heads being counted” but never took Christ seriously. They simply could not accept half the population. Did Christ ever give the right to degrade or insult, maim or kill another person?
We do have to take into account New Zealand’s very high rate of violence in our so called ‘holy’ matrimony. Love professed, but never activated? We should admire those who take the word seriously, surely.
Deorwyn Baker
Dear Editor
I am disappointed that the December 2004 issue contained no report on the Assembly decisions on leadership in the church.
I realise that there are natural reasons for that (for example, readers have other access to the decisions; it makes long and heavy reading). But not all of us will have been at church when the report was given, and it is good to have it in print.
Moreover, this is just the latest example of a feature of sPanz: its concentration on personal news, and bright and appealing reading. That focus verges on being superficial, with its selection of minor personal details and the picturesque, and on being condescending (for example, your Assembly pictures of racial minorities, the moderator’s banner, a Maori cloak, and the cover photo of a hongi.) I find it ironic and sad that while as a church we are committed to spiritual values, our magazine is so much like a secular women’s magazine.
Again, I realise that you have natural and perhaps good reasons for it – for example, you must catch casual readers into more serious and regular reading, and appeal to the young. I acknowledge also that you have the serious news I am asking for – for example, your reports on Presbyterian Support in the last issue.
In weekly services, we do not get news of what is happening theologically, changes in the training of ministers, new trends in worship, the overall growth or shrinkage of the church, and so on. We have no other source of such news but your magazine. But, please even up the balance.
Jim Feist
Editor’s note: The article noted that information about Assembly decisions too lengthy to print in sPanz was available on the church's website. Also, as part of an overall review of communications within the church, the content of sPanz is being considered to ensure it meets readers’ evolving needs. Anyone with comments about what they would like to see more (or less) of can write to the Editor at PO Box 9049, Wellington.
Dear Editor
Loving and caring are not exclusive to Christmas.
All descriptions of sinners may love those near to them. In his letter to the Roman Christians, Apostle Paul declared that homosexuality was the natural lifestyle of some unregenerate men and women. Homosexuality was sinful in Paul’s eyes.
There exists a tendency to ignore or ridicule Biblical statements that d o not please the reader and to worship an agreeable God created from human imagination. This appears to weaken the church’s position as a witness to the Christian faith. Assembly is to be congratulated for making a stand against the tide.
Ivan Harper
Readers are reminded that feedback about sPanz is welcomed. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarity or length. Letters should be sent to Editor, PO Box 9049, Wellington and should include the writer’s full name, home address and daytime phone number.