By Edward H. Adair The Cumberland Presbyterian Church possesses a rich theological tradition and commitment to scripture.  Notwithstanding this tradition (or, more accurately, in part, because of it), the Church is faced with deeply held, differing views on the validity of LGBTQ+ relationships and the roles individuals in these relationships and those who support them may have in church leadership. Some within the Church interpret scripture to exclude LGBTQ+ individuals from such roles, while others advocate for their inclusion. Many in this latter category draw on Christ’s teachings of love, justice, and a contextual understanding of scripture to reach an understanding they authentically believe to be consistent with the will of God. This divergence has resulted in division among members of our denomination. Yet, I think there remains space within the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for these perspectives to coexist in mutual respect.[1]  By exploring these views in the spirit of our Confession of Faith, we can fulfill our mission of reconciliation, love, and justice without requiring uniformity on issues related to sexual orientation. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has the theological depth and history of unity amid diversity to support both perspectives in mutual respect. By grounding this approach in the Confession of Faith, which emphasizes the interpretation of scripture in light of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (COF 1.06) and the use of historical context in study (COF 1.07), we can find a foundation for harmony. Our Confession of Faith recognizes that believers may reach different theological conclusions as a result of Biblical interpretation and, because of that probability, encourages community engagement in interpretation (COF 1.07), affirming that theological exploration and dialogue are central to our faith.  This engagement should be undertaken with humility and acknowledging the inherent limitations of human understanding. COF 5.08:  Because the church in the world

By Edward H. Adair The continued efforts of those who seek to redefine our Confession of Faith to impose a narrow, exclusionary interpretation divert valuable time, resources, and energy away from the church's true mission. The church’s mission is to “worship God and study the word of God, to join together in a common witness to the gospel and to engage in the good works to which Christians are called . . ..” (Constitution 2.01) These ongoing attempts to legislate specific doctrinal positions on contentious issues detract from spreading the love and compassion of Christ, serving those in need, and working for justice and peace in the world. This misallocation of efforts hinders our ability to fulfill the Great Commission and embody God's inclusive and transformative love. Moreover, recent events, such as the vote on proposed amendments precluding a particular class of people from serving in leadership roles within the church, have led to division, ill will, and hateful speech. “[A]ll who are united to Christ by faith are also united to one another in love. In this communion, they are to share the grace of Christ with one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to reach out to all other persons.” (Confession of Faith 5.10.) We must prioritize our duty as a Church over divisive and distracting debates that undermine our unity and effectiveness in ministry. We are “to bear witness to God's saving activity in such a way that those who have not been saved, redeemed, and reconciled might believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and experience salvation." (Introduction to the 1984 Confession of Faith). As Cumberland Presbyterians, we are a global community of individuals united in our ongoing reflection and action to understand our collective role in society and history. This unity, guided by