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Response of Skyridge Church of the Brethren to Concerns
Raised
Original
Text at Skyridge website
The Skyridge Church of the Brethren fully affirms the ordination of
Matthew J. Smucker to Christian ministry. As a congregation we have
supported our brother in Christ in naming his gifts and discerning his
call to ministry throughout these last five years. We see in him
“the fruits of the Spirit” named in Galatians 5:22-23: “…love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
He, as an individual, and we, as a congregation, have submitted ourselves
to the denominational process outlined in the Church of the Brethren Manual
of Organization and Polity. The process has unfolded as follows:
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Matthew J. Smucker joins Skyridge, January 1997 (having been born Brethren,
baptized in the East Chippewa (N. Ohio) congregation in 1980, graduated
from Manchester College in 1990, licensed by the Northern Ohio District
(1990-1992)).
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After much prayer and discernment, Skyridge calls Matt to take seriously
his call to ministry and to pursue it through education and the licensed
ministry process. Accordingly, Matt begins studies at Bethany Theological
Seminary in the fall of 1998.
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The Michigan District Ministry Commission approves Matt for licensing in
May 1999. This action is affirmed and celebrated in worship by the congregation.
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Matt graduated with an M.Div. degree with “distinction in Ministry Studies”
(a faculty-conferred honor) May 2001.
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Matt completes his pre-ordination interview process in the summer of 2001.
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Matt completes the necessary qualification for ordination, including a
call to ministry in seminary administration at Chicago Theological Seminary
in November 2001.
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The Michigan District Ministry Commission presents Matt as a candidate
for ordination to the district board, and the district board approves him
for ordination, April 2002. This action is affirmed by vote at our
congregational meeting in May 2002.
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The congregation plans a worship celebration of Matt’s ordination for June
2002.
As a congregation, we have read, studied and prayerfully considered the
papers of the church as we moved through this process. In our discernment,
we also have taken into account the report of the Standing Committee to
the 1985 Annual Conference in response to a query from Oregon/Washington
District concerning “standards of sexual behavior and orientation for persons
seeking licensing and ordination.” We have followed polity.
We have at times differed with policies/position papers, including some
portions of “Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective.” We know
that this paper, like all passed at Annual Conference, reflect the position
of the church and are meant to cultivate discernment and discussion within
and amongst congregations. We know that some agree with our interpretation
of this paper, and others disagree. We understand congregational
polity to allow for such disagreements, and hold in love all our brothers
and sisters who seek to faithfully follow Jesus and serve him within the
Church of the Brethren.
Current concerns:
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the action taken (as being un-Biblical or contrary to Annual Conference)
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timing of the ordination service vis a vis Annual Conference (particularly
due to the query being presented there)
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general prejudice
Current affirmations:
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for Matt, specifically
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for the action taken given that the polity says nothing about sexual
orientation
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