Yesterday I returned slightly early from a District Conference and attended a meeting of leaders, which included Stockwell Day, to discuss a response to the government’s decision not to appeal the Ontario ruling on same sex marriage. In coming to you I have decided to pose several hypothetical questions, questions that I think you might ask me, and give you answers. I hope you find this format useful.

Question: To what extent can we, as a charity, get involved? Or, to put it another way, will direct involvement by us as a church endanger our charitable standing?

Answer: The Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) gives the following information to us.

What are political activities?

The law allows charities to be involved in political activities provided these are non-partisan, as well as connected and subordinate to the charity's purposes.

Communicating with an elected representative or public official

The CCRA is maintaining the current rule that when a registered charity makes a representation whether by invitation or not to elected representatives or public officials, the activity is considered to be charitable. Even if the charity explicitly advocates that the law, policy or decisions of any level of government in Canada or a foreign country ought to be retained, opposed, or changed, the activity will be considered to fall within the general ambit of charitable activities. However, all representations should:

• relate to an issue that is connected and subordinate to the charity's purposes; and
• be well-reasoned (or where time constraints make this impractical, should be based on a well-reasoned position and such a position should be submitted in a timely manner to the elected representative or public official concerned); and
• not contain information that the charity knows or ought to know is false, inaccurate or misleading.

Thus, you may, as an official worker and as a church, address this issue and call for political action, for this is an issue “connected and subordinate to the charity’s purpose” in the opinion of the CCCC and of EFC. However, please remember that you may not use an issue like this to endorse a particular political candidate.

Question: Is this not a “done deal?” Too late?

Answer: That was my major question also. Bruce Clemenger of EFC urges us not to consider it this way. There are ambiguities still in what the Prime Minister says. As well, the government, either federal or provincial, could invoke the notwithstanding clause.

Question: What should we do?

Answer: The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ottawa has requested all of his priests to address this issue this Sunday. I would urge you to do the same. If you do, realize that you are joining hundreds, perhaps thousands of Roman Catholic and Protestant pastors in speaking truth to your people.

Question: What should we say?

Answer: Of course as a preacher I would never tell you what to say. I also realize that many, if not most, are geared to a particular topic already (I know its Friday!). Only allow me to suggest that you spend some time clearing the air, so to speak. We are concerned here primarily about marriage – what is it, what did God intend for it to be. This is not an “anti-same sex” moment. God gave marriage to the human race as a gift. It is the place where the two sexes bond, the institution which governs the conception, birthing and rearing of children. For more information refer to my previous letter, to EFC’s website, and to the videos you received.

Second, you can and should urge action. Stockwell Day stressed that MP’s need to hear strongly by Monday/Tuesday. A lack of response says to them that the people are OK with the government’s decision. He also made the following points as we sat around the table with him, and I pass them on to you in bulleted form. (This is not an endorsement of Stockwell or anything like that – I simply think the information is very valuable.)

CALL – do not email or write – your MP, either in Ottawa or the home office. What to say? Here is what Stockwell said: “Say this – ‘hello, my name is (Bob ___ ) I am your constituent. I wish to know if you are going to vote to support the traditional definition of marriage because I am going to support the candidate who does in the next election and I am going to work against the candidate who doesn’t.” If you are on voice mail – leave your phone number and ask to be called back. This adds much weight to your call. [This is pretty strong, but Mr. Day explained that so much that comes into your MP’s office is simply tossed as coming from a minority, but this kind of call really gets attention – so there it is].

• People in Alberta. Call your MPP, because the Klein government caucus is under enormous pressure to change its stance that it will invoke “not withstanding.” This needs to happen immediately.
• People in Ontario. The Eves government at first was not registering the marriages, and could still stop. Call your MPP and urge that the marriages not be registered until legislation is passed. One Ontario MPP is reported to have said: “I would do something, but so far I have not heard from a single clergy person in my riding, and I’m not going to be more holy than my priest.” I think you get the point.

Finally, there is an attempt underway to have a coordinated multi-faith “marriage-week” where all faiths would be urged to address to their own congregations what marriage really is. More will come on this later, so this is just a heads up.

These are difficult times. An article on the front page of the Toronto Star yesterday said: “You wanted a revolution, here it is,” and showed three pictures, one of a lesbian couple kissing, another of someone smoking a joint, and a third of two males who had adopted a little boy. To me, all of this means that we are living directly in a Romans chapter one society. The result of this “revolution” will be pain and chaos that will wash into our congregations and as pastors we will deal with the resulting spiritual wounds and brokenness for the rest of our careers. But, we need to go before the Lord and say: “we did act.”

Finally – in accordance with the priority protocol where the most important thing you have to say, you say last – let me say that it would be good if you could spend some time this Sunday praying about this. It is important that we not allow this to become in any way an “anti” thing. Words of repentance, calls for mercy on our nation, crying for wisdom, and seeking a spiritual awakening, are all powerful arenas for prayer, and I am sure you can expand the list. You might find it good for leaders of your church to lead in prayer, and in some congregational settings you might be able to pray in groups. If I read Romans chapter one with any understanding, it would seem to me that our nation is in peril. I also believe that God is looking for men and women to “stand in the gap” as intercessors, pleading with God. Let’s be those people.

And may the Lord himself richly bless you with wisdom and discernment, and may you continue to have great joy in the Holy Spirit as you minister.

Your very real friend,

Franklin Pyles

President,
The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada