Date Posted:12:52:54 03/09/11 Wed Author: Lois Subject: Re: Already determined the outcome? In reply to:
Lois
's message, "Already determined the outcome?" on 10:04:34 03/07/11 Mon
>
>href="http://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/journey.asp">htt
>p://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/journey.asp
>Journeying Toward a USA National Conference
>BY THE USA APOSTOLIC TEAM
>
>Q: Has church leadership already determined the
>outcome on issues of same-gender marriage and
>ordaining people in same-gender relationships?
>
>A: No, church leadership is committed to discernment
>leading to the USA National Conference. This process
>will include spiritual practices, dialogue, scripture
>reflection, and study of credible resources that
>provide multiple perspectives on human sexuality and
>healthy, faithful, and committed relationships.
>--------
>
>I don't believe that. Does anybody reading this
>believe that?
>
>Lois
>
David Schaal is a member of the First Presidency. He seems to be pretty careful about what he says concerning the homosexual agenda. However, I think we can assume that since he is in the First Presidency he will definitely not speak against it.
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Report from Fran Manning, Independence:
World Conference – Day 4 April 13, 2010
“A question was asked of the chair…Can division or harm come to the church should we approve of homosexuality in the USA. President David Schaal answered, “Yes, that is possible, that’s why the ‘Words of Counsel’ says it is not proper to make this okay world wide, it will just be acceptable in countries where homosexuality is approved of as acceptable moral behavior.
He did go on to say that if you are a homosexual who is ordained here in the USA your ordination would be approved of the church wherever you served.”
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We all know how that works. We saw the same thing with women in the priesthood. They figure out a way to shove it down the throats of the congregations.
He was also present at the meeting of the Expanded World Church Leadership Council, which we have already learned had at least two GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered) members invited by the First Presidency to be on the council.
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The builders, the Expanded World Church Leadership Council, sought to lay the foundations for bridges to span cultural chasms while building community through service to Jesus Christ. Their task was daunting: Move the church forward in discussions on appropriate standards of conduct.
“We’re looking at a two-part experience,” President Dave Schaal said. “On this part we wanted to start the conversation and learn how this question of standards of conduct is understood around the world. When we come back together in September, we’ll be Building consensus with those many voices and perspectives is hard. But President Schaal, while acknowledging a “healthy tension,” emphasized the work’s importance by speaking of an increasingly mobile world.
“On one hand we honor the uniqueness of cultures in church. On the other hand, just because something is acceptable in culture doesn’t make it good or right when pressed against the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s what makes this so challenging.” [David Schaal]
Submitted by Lois
PAPER #5,The First Presidency (of Community of Christ), January 9, 1979, 4:15 p.m.
COPING WITH CONFLICTING MESSAGES
It seems that it is difficult for persons who feel compelled to express their divergent views to discriminate between the lawful powers given to the First Presidency for the sake of the church and the privilege they have as individual members of the church to express their point of view. There certainly must be opportunity to express dissent and dissatisfaction and this should be done directly with the officer or officers involved. The First Presidency are willing to give a hearing to responsible criticism. Members do not have a right, however to directly circularize the church with a point of view or style which conflicts with the program emphasis being presented to the church.
