Principles of engagement

In one way or another, everyone in the LCANZ will be affected by the outcome of the General Synod 2024 vote on the proposal for the Way Forward in the ongoing debate on ordination. Therefore, everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in this important conversation. As members of the church engage in consultation and provide feedback, we ask everyone to abide by the same principles that we ask of General Synod delegates.

These principles include respect for everyone, regardless of the position they hold on ordination, gentleness in language and humility in attitude. The principles are based on the LCANZ Standards of Ethical Behaviour, which, in turn, are based on Colossians 3:12–14:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

These principles form the basis for how the project team, including the working groups, are engaging with each other and with the wider church. We ask everyone participating in this conversation to adopt these principles for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and the building up of his church. This includes how we frame our communications to the project team and others in the church, engage on social media, and speak about others in our church, family and social networks.

Download LCANZ Standards of Ethical Behaviour brochure

Read the LCANZ Standards of Ethical Behaviour text

Logo

The circle indicates the unity we have in Christ. We are contained in his grace. We are on this journey together, not because we agree with each other, but because God has adopted every one of us into his family.
We recognise that this path is painful. The colour palette is sage. Sage is an ancient symbol of healing.
The end of the pathway is not defined. We do not know exactly where it will lead us, but by faith, we know that God is already there ahead of us, leading us towards his light.
The two figures represent the different views on ordination we hold in the LCANZ. Both figures have shades of light and dark; we are at once saint and sinner. Whatever view we hold about ordination, we are each a broken person and a redeemed person.
Together, we carry the cross of Christ on this journey. Together, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, our only hope, the joy of our salvation.

Come, listen, live

Come, listen, live. This is the theme of the current synodical period 2021 to 2024. At the commencement of deliberations at the in-person sessions of the 20th Convention of General Synod (in February 2023 in Melbourne), delegates watched this video about respectful dialogue. Now, after General Synod, as we embark on the resolution to explore how we might operate as one church with two ordination practices, we are again urged to 'come, listen, so that we might live' (Isaiah 55:3). We patiently, humbly, gently and kindly recognise in each other a fellow son or daughter of God and a dearly beloved brother or sister. This understanding shapes our words and actions as we engage in this difficult conversation.

Five principles of dialogue

The Five Principles of Dialogue were developed in 2013 by the five-pastor team (representing the full range of views about the ordination of women) called the Ordination Dialogue Group to assist them in working through the issues of the ordination conversation in a spirit of mutual respect and positive dialogue. The team then offered these principles to the wider church, and they formed part of the delegates’ preparation for the 2015 General Convention of Synod. These five principles are as relevant and helpful today as they were ten years ago.

Communion: Because God has gathered us in communion with one another through his word and sacraments, we have freedom to dialogue with one another on contested matters. Strengthening this God-given communion is the goal of dialogue.
Trust: Because God has made us brothers and sisters in Christ, we can trust God to use our communion to build us up in love and use our differences to grow us in holiness of life.
Listening: Because God gives each of his children a unique perspective, we can listen to each other trusting God that as we listen, we will grow in understanding of ourselves, of the other person, and of the communion that God creates.
Speaking: Because God gives each of his children a unique perspective, we can speak to each other trusting God that as we speak, we will grow in understanding of ourselves, of the other person, and of the communion that God creates.
Patience: Because the communion God gives us in Christ is God’s doing and not ours, we can be patient in listening and speaking to each other, trusting that God will deepen the unity he has already given us.

A personal checklist

REFLECTIONS FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE

Am I willing to engage in respectful discussion with those with a different opinion from me, instead of wanting to impose upon them my point of view? Am I able to do this?
In my heart, do I regard those who disagree with me on this topic as my brothers and sisters in God’s family? Do I truly love them as Christ loves me?
Am I willing to consider this issue from the point of view of the person with whom I disagree?
Do I genuinely believe that, though I disagree with another person, I will nevertheless defend their right to believe what they do?
Am I able to view other people’s opinions on this issue, not as right or wrong in relation to mine but simply as different from mine?
Am I willing for my heart touched by the pain people experience around this question?
Am I genuinely able to reach out to a hurting person with a different belief from mine and offer them care and support?
Am I aware of my capacity to inflict hurt on another person and my capacity to make them feel unsafe? Do I have sufficient personal checks within me to ensure this does not happen – and to redress it if it does?
‘I do not consider that a person who believes differently from me on this question is in danger of divine condemnation.’ Is this true for me?
Do I recognise that my beliefs are formed and influenced not only by my understanding of Scripture, theology and church but also by my personality, prejudices and life experiences?
Do I pray for those who believe differently from me on this issue – not that they will be converted to my viewpoint but that they and I will be blessed as we work together on it?
Do I want to see our church reach a God-pleasing decision that respects the beliefs of both parties in this debate?