Last week Rev Prof Sir Lloyd Geering ONZ, GNZM, CBE died. He was the most well-known Presbyterian in New Zealand. He was a Grand Knight Companion – the highest honour we have for meritorious service to the nation. He was a minister of three parishes. He was a professor of Old Testament studies (as it was then called). He was the foundation professor of Religious Studies. In retirement, he was a climate ambassador. At 108 he was New Zealand’s oldest man.

He was undoubtedly gifted. He was a skilled teacher and communicator. An avid reader, with a prodigious memory. He was also kind. And humble. A good listener.

Lloyd also front-footed the changes and challenges in biblical research and the advances in theological exploration generally through the latter part of last century. For which he received much criticism, even vilification. He took the debates out of the seminary and into the arena of public thought. He was New Zealand’s foremost progressive scholar and advocate.

At age 96 he came to Auckland and preached at St Luke’s, navigating with ease the steps into our pulpit. Lots of people from around Auckland and beyond came that day. For many who gathered he was the reason they were still in the Church or interested in matters of faith and belief.

So, it was with some dismay that I received this week a so-called “Pastoral Email” from the current Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Rt Rev Peter Dunn. Pastoral Emails are a Presbyterian form of acknowledging and honouring those who have died, noting their service and offering condolences to their families, colleagues, and parishioners in places where they served.

However, Peter Dunn used this medium to distance himself, and, seemingly, to represent the many in the Presbyterian Church today who find Lloyd Geering’s views disagreeable. The email also, by the nature of Moderator’s Office, seeks to distance the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand from one of its own, namely Rev Prof Sir Lloyd Geering.

Which is shameful. Mr Dunn does not seem to understand that the Office of Moderator is such that regardless of the views of the individual who holds the Office, there is a duty to represent each and every Presbyterian in this land, not just the majority or those he agrees with.

This is particularly so in the case of a death. Honouring the mana of the dead is a value that should transcend sectarian differences.

If Mr Dunn felt, in all good conscience, he could not write such a Pastoral Email, then there is provision for the Moderator to delegate to someone who could.

If Rt Rev Dunn wanted to use the email to sermonize he could have emphasized the breadth of our Church, the inclusion of radical thinkers/prophets (even those we disagree with), and the importance of kindness, tolerance, and grace. Instead, in effect, he told us that Sir Lloyd should have been expelled from the Presbyterian Church.

I imagine Lloyd chuckling that he’s still disturbing the peace and unity of the Church.

Blessings,

Glynn

p.s. hard copies of the Moderator's Pastoral Email and copies of a piece by Rev Dr Graham Redding on Lloyd's theological contribution to the Presbyterian Church of Aoteaora NZ (from the Otago Daily Times) will available at church on Sunday

(Image: NZ Govt, Office of the Governor-General)