A Document presented to the 8th Assembly in 1997
Policy on homosexuality

Uniting Church in Australia

1. Membership of the church

Uniting Church policy on the eligibility of homosexual persons for membership of the church was clarified by the Assembly Standing Committee in 1987. Standing Committee minute 87.46 includes the declaration that "All baptised Christians belong in Christ's church and are to be welcomed at his table, regardless of their sexual orientation". This means that homosexual persons are welcome in the membership of the Uniting Church, subject only to the normal decision-making processes of councils of elders. There is no bar to their eligibility for church membership and for elected or appointed positions within the life of the congregation.

2. The ordained ministry

Uniting Church policy on the question of homosexuality and ordained ministry is stated in three resolutions of the Assembly Standing Committee, in 1982, 1987 and 1994. These resolutions have not been overturned or amended by any Assembly. They are reproduced in full in Appendix 2 of the report Uniting Sexuality and Faith (Standing Committee minutes 82.12, 87.46 and 94.78.3).

The current policy can be summarised as follows.

1. All applicants for candidature for the ordained ministries and all candidates for ordination are to be assessed through the procedures of parish, parish minister, presbytery and synod on an individual basis (as laid down in Regulations 2.2.1 - 2.2.15 and 2.3.1).

2. In assessing suitability for candidature and for ordination, many factors are to be taken into account (see Regs 2.2.1(a)(ii), 2.2.3(b), 2.2.4, 2.2.7, 2.2.8, 2.2.11, 2.3.1), with the emphasis on gifts for ministry, perceived call from God, spiritual maturity, personal character and abilities, potential for leadership, and capacity to undertake the course of study.

3. The sexual orientation of an applicant or candidate is not and has not been in itself a bar to candidature or ordination. A decision on the suitability of an applicant or candidate may of course depend, among other things, on the manner in which the applicant's or candidate's sexuality is expressed.

4. Presbyteries are the usual decision-makers on individual suitability for candidature and ordination. Where there is disagreement between the presbytery and the synod selection panel or the presbytery is unable to make a decision or the applicant appeals against the presbytery's decision, a synod body makes the decision on candidature.

5. Although the Regulations require individual assessment of applicants and candidates, the Assembly has not taken any decision which would prevent a presbytery from deciding that a particular pattern of sexual conduct would be a determining factor for a negative decision on applications for candidature or ordination.

6. The same policies apply (by extension) to the presbytery's oversight of its ministers.

7. There is an expectation in the church that its ministers will adhere to the standard of celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. Presbyteries are free to take it into account in assessing suitability for ministry and in oversight of ministers. But the church has not declared "celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage" to be a specific requirement of its ministers.

3. Same-sex relationships

The matter of same-sex relationships received attention from the Assembly Standing Committee in 1991 and 1992. In its considerations, Standing Committee received advice from the Commissions on Doctrine and Women and Men and from one presbytery, and comment from several other churches. Minutes 91.95.3(a) and 92.31 state the policy of the church, which was not altered by the 1994 Assembly.

The policy is not very detailed, but can be summarised as follows.

1. The church's understanding of marriage is that it is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman in love and fidelity.

2. There is pain in the church concerning same-sex relationships, both from those who are disturbed at the thought of the church considering recognition and blessing of such relationships and from those whose sense of identity and experience of healing through a faithful and committed same-sex relationship has not been recognised and blessed by the church.

3. Ministers and councils of elders are to act with integrity in the pastoral care of the people within their charge, channelling the healing love of Christ as they see fit in particular circumstances.

4. Ministers and councils of elders are not to recognise same-sex relationships in any form of service which resembles the marriage service, as this would be against the church's understanding of marriage.

Ministers and councils of elders are called on to conduct Christian services in a great variety of pastoral situations. The Assembly has not taken any decision which would prevent ministers and councils of elders acknowledging a same-sex relationship in some form of worship service, as long as such a service does not resemble the marriage service.

In the absence of further definitive guidance from the Assembly, synods and/or presbyteries are free to adopt policies concerning same-sex relationships which do not conflict with the above policy, and these policies could be declared to be binding on all ministers and all congregations within their bounds.

[Sections 2 and 3 of this paper were issued to all members of the Eighth Assembly in Perth on 10 July 1997 - section 1 has been added since.]

Gregor Henderson, Assembly General Secretary, 15 July 1997
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