Lewis Presbytery votes against gay ministers 7/10/14
► Church moves towards gay minister policy
Lewis Presbytery of the Church of Scotland is opposing moves to allow gay or lesbian ministers become ministers in the denomination.
The island presbytery -
All elders and ministers representatives in the presbytery voted unanimously against the proposal to open the pulpits to gay ministers.
The Church of Scotland is consulting on dropping its traditional stance against appointing homosexual ministers.
While Lewis Presbytery is totally opposed, the idea will gain support from more liberal presbyteries across the country.
If enough back the change the contencious move could become church law next summer.
Lewis Presbytery is concerned that the proposal would mean that members who base their beliefs on the Bible may feel that their views were being excluded from the Church of Scotland.
Congregations in both Tarbert and Stornoway High churches have split over the row.
A Lewis Presbytery spokesman warns the move risks causing “further disunity” in the church.
He pointed out: “A number of ministers and members have already left the Church of Scotland over
the issue.
“The result of the votes of all the Presbyteries will be known in the New Year.
“The Presbytery has also asked church members and adherents to continue in prayer for the church.”
Many island churches including Barvas, Cross, Kinloch, Garrabost, Leurbost, Uig, Manish, Carinish, Paible Lochmaddy and Benbecula previously signed up to the Fellowship of Confessing Churches which opposes the “forced introduction of heterodox teaching and practice” into the church.
► Church moves towards gay minister policy