All Saints Church in Sanderstead decided to suspend Peter Gowlland (aged 78) for a period of two months after he suggested that congregation members should sign the Coalition for Marriage petition to stop Prime Minister David Cameron from re-defining marriage to include same-sex couples.
The decision was made by the acting Archdeacon of Croydon, Rev'd Dr Barry Goodwin, after a minority of attendees in favour of same-sex marriage complained that they disagreed with the stance taken by Mr Gowlland, who introduced the petition whilst reading notices in a service led by another Lay Reader, Mary Duncan.
It is reported that Ms Duncan immediately discouraged the congregation from signing the petition, stating: "Do not sign it without giving it very careful thought. There are other views."
(Christian Concern, May 3rd 2012)Once again, the 'Church' of England shows its true colours, and those that vainly presume to act as 'leaders' are proving themselves to be no more than a generation of vipers. In their sin they go over and beyond the Pharisees at the time of Christ; since whereas the Pharisees sought to keep God's written word (albeit, self-righteously, and with cursed additions), these rewrite His law, which states clearly what is sin and what is not. They are puffed up, and if it were possible they would cast God from His Throne, usurp His position, and rewrite the divine standard.
Yet, this is just the latest example in a series of world events that, when taken together, show that God is separating the wheat from the chaff, in earnest. By acting in this manner, the institution that calls itself the Church of England shows that it is anything but what its title would claim. In only the three short paragraphs above, the host of errors is breathtaking:
Ms Duncan, after Mr Gowlland recommended the congregation sign the petition, stated: "Do not sign it without giving it very careful thought. There are other views." To which I would respond: Firstly, Ms Duncan should not be in any position of leadership. If she claims to serve the living God, why does she not heed His law, which states: "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law." (1 Corinthians 14:34) Secondly: There are not 'other views' - at least, not acceptable 'other views'. Almighty God is One, and with Him there is no variableness (James 1:17). Ms Duncan, along with most of professing Christendom, is trying to lead the church down some sordidly democratic path. Yet, the true church is anything but democratic. When the children of Israel besought Samuel to put a King over them, the LORD responded:
"And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
(1 Samuel 8:7)
The pro-gay minority in the congregation at Sanderstead should've been reproved and called to repentance; and if they refused, they should've been cast out. They certainly should not have been hearkened to. Yet, Ms Duncan, the Archdeacon of Croydon, and all who have supported them have shown that their allegiance is to the creature, and not to the Creator; to Belial and not to Jehovah God. Yet (and I repeat), the wheat is evidently being separated from the chaff, and the consciences of those that are actually of Christ will be provoked, and they will be forced to depart from the Godless institution that is the Church of England.
This short note has been sent to All Saints Church, Sanderstead.