PASTORAL LETTER

My Dear Friends,

"For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or

Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink . . . .

Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it"

- 1Cor 12:13,27 [NIV]

As you are aware the Council of the Assembly has formally set up the Commission on Diversity as requested by the General Assembly. In consultation with session, I have agreed to serve on the Commission. The other members are Rev Michael Thawley, formerly Assembly Executive Secretary; Mrs Mona Riini an elder from Te Ako Puaho [Maori Synod] - all three served on the Sessional Committee at Assembly and thus bring continuity to the task - the fourth member is Very Rev Margaret Shrader. We have already had our initial meeting, are finalising an itinerary which will see us meeting and receiving submissions in 21 centres throughout the country during October and November, and have issued our first newsletter to sessions, congregations and presbyteries to keep the whole Church informed - as we were asked to do. Copies of the Commission's Newsletter are available to the congregation for your information and action as appropriate. Session will certainly be considering what steps it should take at this month's meeting prior to the Commission's sitting in Auckland in mid October. Understandably this a monumental task. The Commission was deliberately set at its present size to enable it to travel the country and be available to as any people as possible. It will take up a great deal of time and energy - as well as being a significant expense to the Church.

* CONTROVERSY - It is not too much to say our PCANZ is in real crisis. Like other "voluntary" organisations, the Church depends on the goodwill of its members. It is not too much to say there is a great deal of frustration, disappointment, disillusionment and anger around the Church. For some it stems from the fact the General Assembly appeared to take no notice of the results of the 1997 referendum which they feel gave a clear indication of the mind of the membership of the church so often unheard. For those in favour of the licensing, ordination and induction of gay and lesbian people they view the present situation - including the rahui - as a continuing denial of justice, human rights, Christian love and equality. For some the issue is simply one of justice in the Church. For others the issue is simply one of holiness and Christian lifestyle. For others still, the issue is simple - it is the apparent collision of two different and irreconcilable world views. Theologically conservative people throughout the Church are appalled and angered that any consideration is given to changing the status quo regarding leadership in the Church, as in their view that would be to condone and approve an unbiblical and sinful lifestyle. There are other people who consider the issue a storm in a teacup, a minor matter which is deflecting the church's commitment, resources and energies from much more important issues. There are doubtless others in between. How can we find a way forward?

* Unity - In the present situation our church, congregations, sessions and membership need to reflect deeply on what it truly means to be the Church of God. This includes really considering the unity of the church. Part of the spirit of the age has infiltrated Christian thinking and practice. The church has become a consumer society! People change churches and/or congregations scarcely without a thought. Their main concern is what suits me - and even, apparently, what feels good. A cursory reading of the New Testament demonstrates that it is no light thing to divide the church. Separation and schism is a most solemn and serious matter. For some it would be seriously sinful! Look at the early chapters in 1 Corinthians. The Christians there seemed to be separating into sections [streams?] based on preferred personalities and leaders - Cephas [Peter], Apollos, Paul, and even - depending on how you read the verse - even Christ. Paul will have none of it. Christ died for them. It was in Christ's name they were baptised. Traditionally we have believed the things which unite us in the Church are more and greater than the things which divide us We need to consider what are the things which unite us - the things on which we all agree. Many would assert that the unity of the church is not simply a policy of not-rocking-the-boat, a superficial courtesy, good feelings, neat vibes and endless talk of love. They say the New Testament model is unity in the truth. What are the essentials of the faith? What are the non-negotiables? What truly are the things we believe in common together. It is now too late to continue talking past one another. It is now too late to continue using the same theological words and phrases but meaning quite different things by them. It is time for serious engagement.

* DIVERSITY - The Commission is charged with the responsibility of finding ways in which our real and proper diversity might be structured, celebrated and expressed with the one Church. It was one of the Puritans who coined the phrase, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity". It is claimed all sections of our church are happy to affirm the Standards of the Church, and it is on the interpretation of the Standards that the difference presents itself. Thus a model is sought in which the Standards are affirmed in common, but diversity is expressed with integrity and appropriate degrees of autonomy. I suspect there will be real variations of opinion on "degrees of autonomy". There is no doubt the New Testament presents a model of unity in diversity. There is the picture of integration rather than separation, of diversity rather than uniformity. In a sense that is what 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul is speaking about spiritual gifts, is all about. How grotesque if the whole body were one huge hand, or one great ear, or an all-encompassing eye [cf 12:19]. Wholeness comes when all the several parts are joined together and working properly and coherently. Indeed, "there are many parts but one body" [12:20]. Our very diversity is a gift to one another. Most congregations are full of a rich variety of people with their personal gifts, skills, contributions to offer to our life together. That is our experience here - and how rich and glad we are because of it. None of us can say to another in the body, "I don't need you!" [12:21]. Is this not something we need to consider and reflect on - not simply as congregations and individuals, but as a Church? Let me encourage you to think deeply about all these matters - and to keep on praying for the Commission and its work in coming weeks and months. God bless you all.

Yours very sincerely,

J O EVANS

Minister