Kirk minister ponders leaving on gay clergy issue

Following the vote and decision at the 2011 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland a West-Highland minister is now considering options outside of the national church.

Glenelg, Wester Ross

Following yesterday's vote by the Church of Scotland to allow clergy to live in practicing homosexual relationships Rev. Roddy MacRae (aka Roddy Barvas) the minister at Glenelg and Kintail parish on the west-coast mainland in the presbytery of Lochcarron and Skye speaks of moving towards a life outside of the denomination in which he has served.

Denominationalism has produced a weakened church

In an interview with Christians Together Rev. Macrae said that the strong evangelical witness in Scotland has become seriously weakened and the need is "to come together as evangelicals across the secondary theological issues which have historically kept believers and churches apart."

Tent-making ministry

While affirming his view that "God will provide" the parish minister is ready and willing to look for work to support his ministry.

Meaningful unity is a personal dynamic

He has already been forming links with fellow ministers in other denominations to explore 'team ministry'.

In so doing he is illustrating a truth believed by many that a biblical unity needs to be worked out a local and personal level.

Rev. Roddy Macrae speaks on leaving the Church of Scotland

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Laying aside secondary issues

Speaking of the fragmentation within the church in Scotland he calls for evangelicals to lay aside the secondary issues - including the subject of infant and believers baptism - in order to unite around the common aim of spreading the Gospel.

The church that Jesus will build

He is confident that "If we humble ourselves He wil raise up the church in Scotland again". But stresses he means the church in Scotland rather than any one denomination.

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Footnote:
The Church of Scotland General Assembly of 2009 was dominated by the appointment of a gay minister to a church in Aberdeen; a situation which the Assembly of that year effectively endorsed.
Whilst a Special Commission which had met between 2009 and 2011 reported that the majority view was to retain the traditional view on marriage and sexuality the most recent Assembly voted to accept practicing gay clergy in the Church's ranks.

For additional background information go to 'Related Articles' links in left-hand margin.

Kirk lifts ban on appointing gay ministers

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Christians Together, 24/05/2011