1 Corinthians 5: 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

This past week it was the turn of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand to decide whether or not they would ordain as clergy those who were living outside of the description found in Holy Scripture for sexual purity. It might seem to many that Christians are forever hung-up on sex, and despite this being the “enlightened” 21st century, here it goes again - no practising gays, no sexually active singles, no-one in de facto relationships, no-one having an extra-marital affair. All these folk are “sexually immoral” and therefore not fit to be clergy.

In fact, if the Church is to be true to Holy Scripture when it comes to selecting ordinands for the clergy, then the requirements for the job are actually quite detailed. The avoidance of sexual immorality (defined Scripturally, not culturally) is only a part of the story, albeit overly highlighted due to political lobbying of certain “rights” activists and the fashionable incorrectness of discrimination on whichever grounds can be applied. Here is the rest of the list for determining fitness for the role:

If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
~ the overseer must be above reproach
~ the husband of but one wife
~ temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable
~ able to teach
~ not given to drunkenness
~ not violent but gentle
~ not quarrelsome
~ not a lover of money
~ able to manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect
~ not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil
~ must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap

Likewise, those who wish to be deacons must:
~ be men worthy of respect
~ be sincere
~ not indulging in much wine
~ not pursuing dishonest gain
~ keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
~ must first be tested (and then if there is nothing against them they may serve as deacons)
~ be the husband of but one wife
~ manage his children and his household well
Their wives must be
~ women worthy of respect
~ not malicious talkers
~ temperate and trustworthy in everything
Source

Now even that is not the end of the story. There is more:

Ephesians 4:

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesions 5:

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Given that these things are clearly outlined in the New Testament as to how Christians are to behave, is it any wonder that the Church wants to be true to her foundation and require that her ordained clergy be diligent in their efforts to follow suit? And yet there are elements within the Church that are pulling away from these prescriptions. The Presbyterian Church in NZ did indeed vote in favour of excluding the sexually immoral from ordination, but a strong “progressive” faction is very unhappy and has promised to push for reform such that one’s sexual morality no longer matters. They want an inclusive church, one where everyone can be eligible for leadership roles, to teach their culturally determined values, and to renounce the evil discrimination that is found in Holy Scripture!

I offer no apology for the amount of Scripture included in this post. The fact is - these things really are written in the Christian’s holy book. The Church is the body of believers in, and followers of, Christ who is the head of the Church. He is called the Son of God, and also the Word of God. The Church cannot re-write the Word and go some different way while remaining true to Him. There is only One way - His way. And it is written down perfectly clearly for us all to follow.

We are not to judge those outside the church - that is for God to do in His own good time. But we are clearly told to judge those within the church, to gently rebuke each other in love, and eventually to disassociate ourselves from those who persist in a lifestyle of immorality, sexual or otherwise.