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How Can I Stay? |
by Rev. John Oakes, Holy Trinity, Vancouver, February 9, 2003 It is not always easy being a preacher. There is an old story about a little boy who held on tightly to the money in his hand as the offering plate was passed. But after the service he headed straight for the pastor and handed him a quarter. "Why didn't you put this in the offering?" the minister asked. To which the boy replied: "I wanted to make sure that you got it, because I know you really need it. My Dad said you're the poorest preacher he's ever heard!" On another occasion, a pastor began his sermon one Sunday as follows: "I asked my wife to go through my sermon notes this morning and mark out everything that is uninteresting or irrelevant." Then he turned a page and said: "So, in conclusion..." I am not going to let you off that lightly on this occasion, or myself for that matter, and I have to begin with a few words of confession. Three weeks ago some of you may recall - at least, I hope that you do! - that I preached a sermon on sexual ethics from 1 Corinthians 6. At that time, I tried to give some of the key reasons why I strongly support traditional biblical standards of sexual morality. In giving the presentation, I also referred to the position that I have made very public over recent months and my contention that conservative Christians do not need to leave the Diocese of New Westminster over the blessing of same-sex unions. And I gave a few concluding words of assurance. Some of you may be relieved to hear," I said, "that whilst I shall not be shying away from the issue, I have no intention of using this pulpit week in and week out to try to bore you into submission." Well in a sense, I am going to stay true to that promise and I still have no illusion that I will ultimately be able to talk you into anything. Only God can do that. But I have decided to return to these issues because I believe that you need to hear where I stand and why. A number of people have asked me to explain why I think what I do and they have focused on the particular question of how anyone, as a conservative Christian, can be committed to staying within our present diocese at this time - as I am - in good conscience. So I am going to try to respond directly. Quite simply, "How Can I Stay?." We can all make mistakes in trying to communicate cross-culturally, even when we are trying to use the same language. I have lost count of the number of times that I personally have bemused congregations over the years by talking about a car "boot," instead of a "trunk," for example, or a "bonnet," instead of a "hood." And it is partly that kind of issue, albeit on a much more serious and significant note, that the apostle Paul is addressing in our first reading from 1 Corinthians. He is speaking to a group of house of churches in first-century Corinth in contemporary Greece, which have been going through major problems. They have been questioning his authority as an apostle and running after other, less demanding leaders. They have been getting involved in rather dangerous forms of spirituality and they have been struggling to honour Christian moral teachings, especially in the area of sexuality. Their worship and communal life has been chaotic and unruly and they have been finding it very difficult to be tue to their faith in a largely pagan and promiscuous environment much like that of 21st century Vancouver. Paul has previously been urging caution with regard to participating in non-Christian religious practices and he has warned against eating food sacrificed to idols, in particular. Earlier in Chapter 9, the apostle has been defending his right to receive material and financial support from the Corinthians. And it is in that context that our reading, which lies at the heart if what I want to say, really occurs. How Can I Stay - pg. 2 | |
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(This page is maintained by Rev. Dr. John Oakes and Kirsten Oakes .) |
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