There is no doubt that the ongoing fighting over this issue is damaging the church:
The constant fighting distracts the church from its real work
It soaks up resources
People get hurt
Relationships are damaged
The witness to the wider community is disastrous and therefore the mission of the church is damaged.
There is little that is positive about it. The one reason for having the debate is that the issue is so important – far too important to simply concede. Sometimes the church must endure long-term conflict as it sorts through some crucial issue. The one possible positive outcome is a more faithful church that has faced the challenge and rediscovered its core values.
We will look at the possible solutions under the next heading.