Overture 12: Homosexuals and Gay People in Leadership

At the Balmoral Church on 8 June 2004 the Presbytery of Clutha met and was constituted.

<typohead type="3">Among other things: </typohead>

The Presbytery agreed to adopt and transmit the following overture to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand appointed to meet in Christchurch on September 19th – 24th, 2004.

Whereas because we the members of this Presbytery are greatly concerned that this Church needs to have a clear policy on the matter of Homosexuals and Gay People in leadership

And Whereas it was agreed in the hope of getting a clear policy for the good of all members submit the following overture that:

We, the members of the Clutha Presbytery are greatly distressed that this issue has again resurfaced for debate within the Lord´s Church.

It is our considered and prayerful opinion that this Assembly should fully and finally bring this matter to a closure for the Honour of the Lord´s name and for the peace of the Church and its members.

We want this assembly to know that the member Churches of this Presbytery do warmly welcome all, including homosexuals who would wish to worship with us at any time.

It is the desire of many within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand that to enhance progress on settling this issue that nobody should take an entrenched position, but rather be open to the leading of God Himself. We are very happy to support that view and are glad to take a Biblical view which is the only safe and secure way to achieve a proper outcome. We are glad that God has not left us in a vacuum or desolate but has made it very plain in His Word, the Bible which is the truth that this Church adheres to as being the Word of God as affirmed in the Book of Order to what should be our answer to Homosexuals and Gay people in Leadership within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Bible clearly teaches that God has set rules for those who would seek to enter His Heaven, they are rules that have been set for eternity and we humans are not free to change those rules. Even if we were to change them that would be of no avail for Jesus Christ who is Lord of All will be judge and He will only welcome into His Heaven those who have abided by his standards. We would point out that God has given us His word to instruct us how to live because of His great love and mercy for us that we might flee from all things that would break our relationship with Him. If we wish to join a club or an organisation we have to accept its rules, so must we accept God´s rules.

We, of this Presbytery do wish to point out with all humility and gentleness in the bonds of love that the Bible, God´s Word does teach clearly from Romans Chapter 1 & 2 and also 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 v 9 & 10 and 1 Timothy Chapter 1 Verse 8 -11 and other places that any practicing homosexual person who has not sought forgiveness and cleansing from God through His Son Jesus, shall not enter God´s Heaven. However the Gospel is a Gospel of Hope for all including those who may be homosexual. The hope of the Gospel is healing and there have been many examples of people who have been healed of this. Although the Church as a whole has failed this group of people in the past and perhaps continues to do so, there are ministries available to help people in this area. We humbly acknowledge that we all fall short of God´s Word and must be dealt with in repentance.

Therefore it is our clear belief that no practicing Homosexual or Gay person or any person having sexual relationships outside of heterosexual marriage should be in leadership in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand because they in teaching and living out that doctrine in their own lives are declaring to people within and without the Church that this practice is acceptable to God when in fact that position is the opposite of the truth and is a lie.

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In the light of this we therefore humbly ask this assembly in the spirit of love and compassion to agree with us.

<typohead type="3">It is hereby overtured: </typohead>

That those engaged in sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage including practicing homosexual people should not be allowed to be in leadership in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and that this is to be ratified by the Courts of the Church and included in the Book of Order.

That this ruling be passed down to Presbyteries/Union District Councils under the Barrier Act.

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Or that The General Assembly determine otherwise as in its wisdom it shall consider best.

The Presbytery appointed Mr. Ivan Leslie and Rev Timote Turu to support the overture before the Assembly.

Extracted from the records of the Presbytery by

Mrs Gaye Edwards
Presbytery Clerk