Caught in the middle

Today I had a long talk with a friend of mine. We do this every once in a while - set aside time to check in with one another. He's an Episcopal priest, and so our conversation inevitably came around to the recent actions of General Convention.

He's hurt. And really angry.

Understand that he has been part of the conversation around the issue of same-sex unions for a long time-- years. He's participated in local dialogues, as well as the New Commandment Task Force sessions through the national church, and spent significant effort in prayer, reading and study. He has really struggled, trying to reconcile his more evangelical understanding of human sexuality and biblical teaching with the movement in the church toward recognition of monogamous homosexual unions. So, if any of the proposed liturgical resolutions had passed in any substantive form, he was geared to at least try to understand and accept.

Then Canon Robinson's nomination came up, scarcely a month before the Convention, and was passed almost before anyone had time to blink.

And now, what's the point? he asks. What's the point of continuing theological conversation, over what is a done deal? Why bother talking if no one cares to listen? Why bother listening if they're going to do what they want anyway, and say to hell with you, deal with it or leave?

Now, there are people that I love and respect on both sides of this issue-- committed, faithful Christians, trying to walk the talk. So, I know many of the arguments on both sides, really I do. Unfortunately, what I also see is the extremes getting the airtime. Intolerant indignation on one side. Self-righteous arrogance on the other.

And the folks in the middle get hurt.

There's got to be a better way.