When it proceeds in mutual trust it may deepen faith, enoble piety and turn the heart Godward. Unenforceable amendments to the Book of Order discourage faith and trivialize Christian practice. For us Holy Communion is a means of grace, a sign that by faith seals the Word in our hearts and lives, and builds up the church. The refusal to think theologically about the meaning of ordination is the elephant in the entrance hall that everyone sidesteps on the way to win or to defeat the next overture. No one has a right to be ordained.
Servants have no rights.
The requisite qualities of ordinands are patience, responsibility, usefulness and devotion to Jesus Christ, to the Word and to governance. Ordination is a recognition by the church of grace and gift. Above are two examples of the theological reflection that needs to begin if our church wants to confront with reality and compassion these matters before us. That, let it be understood, reflects a piety of desperation which is sick unto death. McKelway threw open a door that has been closed too long.