Spiritual Hiccups - Victory, Loss, and Love

Barring some remarkable, unexpected turn, my denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), will today pass an amendment to our Book of Order removing the requirement that all to be ordained (as pastor, elder, or deacon) must live either in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or in chaste singleness.  And while the soon to be removed language did not use the words gay, lesbian, or homosexual, the bulk of our arguments have revolved around whether or not we will ordain those in same sex relationships.

Exactly how this change will be lived out and the impact it will have remains to be seen.  But one thing is certain: some will be overjoyed at the threshold crossed today, and others will be deeply upset and angry.  And a huge question facing us in light of this is: How will we love one another?

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love."  These words from 1 John compose a challenge to us regardless of where we stand on the issues.  And if I am to love the other, I must consider how my actions impact them.

I am among those who welcomes this day, who will rejoice when the vote today creates a majority of presbyteries in favor of changing our ordination standards.  But I also believe that the command to love is especially incumbent upon "winners."

We live in a time when end zone celebrations by players who have scored a touchdown are an accepted part of football games.  Such celebrations are far from genuine eruptions of joy.  Rather, they are choreographed routines that sometimes seek to embarrass and show up the opponent. 

Consideration for "the other" is often far down our list of things to do.  But Christians are called to be a different sort of community.  We are called to model an alternative way of being and living in the world.  And I can think of few places where the opportunity to be different is greater than at moments such as this.

How will we love one another?  That is a question we must ask ourselves whether we are thrilled or terrified at today's outcome.  It is a question we must ask whether we are convinced this opens the way to a bold new day for the church or we are convinced that it spells doom for the church.  Whether we weep or rejoice or don't know what we think, we are still called to love one another.  And if "in Christ" we were truly to do that, what an amazing witness that might be to the world.

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