The General Assembly ended recently. I am terribly uncomfortable with some of the votes that rendered decisions. …

            I think we need another Confession added like we need a hole in the head; each Confession added waters down the importance of the previous contents. Previous Christian groups are allowed to make important statements about faith without us adding their statement as another installment of our Book of Confessions. Each seems to distract attention from the one true book of Confessions: the Bible. But, hey … the more the merrier, they say.

            I have no problem deleting statements from the Barman Confession (ah, another confession) that are editorial additions and weren’t originally there. Make it pure! I do have problems with ignoring cogent statements in the New Testament regarding homosexuality (Romans chapter 1 seems rather clear.) The Scriptures have to be our final authority about the actions and directions of God. What makes an action a sin at the time written but not in the present? More people lie and cheat others than participate in homosexual activity, and we all seem born with that narcissistic trait (this makes it a natural act); maybe the Church should support, or at least condone, lying and cheating.

            Didn’t Zacchaeus change his ways and give back multitudes of what he had stolen? Following Christ leads us to become who God wants us to be, not just who we are. Jesus nor only said, “Then neither do I condemn you,” he also said, “Go and sin no more.” Too frequently we choose one without the other.

            I hurt for gays and lesbians who have in the past been wrongly excluded from the Church. I also hurt for those devout Christians who believe the Presbyterian Church has abandoned them in this decision. They feel NO peace, NO unity, NO purity in the General Assembly decisions. Our voted inclusivity feels like exclusivity for many devout Presbyterians. They feel the Scriptures have been ignored. Many will leave the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Whole churches will leave. We do not now exclude homosexuals from church membership; but our ushering in their ability to be church officers and ministers will usher out other true believers from the whole church.

            My letter is not to grouse or complain. It is to ask my brothers and sisters not to leave. Do not declare yourselves no longer members of this family and run away. A family does not divorce itself from one another. Your diligence to the Scriptures is needed! Your longtime commitment to the Church is needed! Your model of discipleship is needed! Your love of Christ Jesus is needed!

            There were times in the past when portions of our Presbyterian Church supported slavery. There were times when we excluded folks from the Lord’s Table because they weren’t of our ilk. There were times when we Presbyterians haughtily looked down on those who were not like us in faith and practice. There were times when women could not be ordained. We overcame and grew through those parochial sins.

            Let us stay together as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): to teach one another, to pray for one another, to love one another in the name of Christ. Running away only waters down the proper voice of Christ. We grow in life not through accedence but through adversity. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seems now poised to have a growth spurt. Both sides, victors and vanquished, please stay and pray for one another. We can do more for Christ united together despite our diversity in important areas. …

Renny Domske, assistant to the pastor

Fairhill Manor Christian Church

Washington, Pa.