Minorities Matter

No women bishops, for some time!

It was the votes of just three people that decided the General Synod process yesterday. Several of those who voted against may well be friends of some of my friends!

Should we be shocked and saddened at that? Yes and no!

While the overwhelming majority within the Synod and outside are in favour of moving to ordaining women as Bishops (and it will happen), a small minority are deeply fearful.

I happen to think they are wrong to be fearful, but they voted and acted as they did out of fear.

Should they be ignored and overwhelmed by the majority? Probably not.

I am surprised at my views, because they have changed - not about women's ministry and being bishops - but about concern for minorities.

St. Paul spends a lot of time, in his long letters to Rome and Corinth, dealing with the conflicts between the strong and the weak members of those various fellowships. While he identifies himself with the strong, he makes it clear that the way the strong live should be shaped by the concerns of the weak. 'Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.' (Romans 14.1) 

The issues over which the Roman church was arguing ranged from whether Christians should avoid eating meat, to whether some days were more spiritually special than others. 

Instead of being critical of one another, Paul reminds us that we all claim to be servants of Jesus. 'Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.' (Romans 14.4)

Rather than having endless critical debates, Paul reminds his friends and us that we all face the Lord's judgement, and in that light, we should avoid being destructively superior. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.' (Romans 14.12-13)

Keeping our eyes open to what matters deeply to others, when that view is held because of their love for Jesus, even if we believe they may be wrong, should help us to keep our unity secure. 'For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.' (Romans 14.17-19)

So, this is why my attitude has changed towards those friends of mine who have taken a different view about the women bishop issue. Because minorities matter. We need to be radical in seeking to include people who are different from us.

Do you think this makes sense? Let me know!

Best wishes,

Richard