One more step towards a more just and Christian church.

A quick, and cryptic, bit of feedback on the matter of offering pastoral care and Christ's welcome, acceptance, and grace to persons who have a same sex orientation in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa...

I cannot give any specifics since the final debate and discussion is still to take place in the open session of Conferenmce. However, I can say that the policy and doctrine commission dealt with the matter sensitively and with courage. There was concensus on the fact that the Church has a position on the matter (i.e., our stance is the Unity of the Church and respect for diversity of Christian opinion), that there is need for further discovery of one another's positions, graceful encounter with each other, and that legislating in favour of civil unions, or against them, would split the Church.

Please pray that sensitivity and courage remain as values in the open debate, and that we ressist the temptation to take the 'easy route' of choosing for one position at the exclusion of others, and so split the Church.

What we desire is a Christ honouring church that has enough space to love all the persons that Jesus loves.