Persons who pay attention to the legislative deliberations of the church can be easily perplexed over the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At General Convention, in diocesan conventions and elsewhere, contestants on each side of an argument are convinced that the Holy Spirit is on their side. In many cases, persons of strong faith on both sides of an argument engage in sincere and fervent prayer and emerge from careful study and reflection convinced that their position is of the Holy Spirit. Yet one side loses. How can this be? Sometimes when a particular piece of legislation is presented for a vote, people may take action for unspiritual reasons. For example, they may be confused by parliamentary maneuvers. Perhaps they have not seen the facts. Or maybe their vote is cast to please a colleague.

We believe it is wise to be cautious about claiming divine guidance for our particular causes. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is not so concerned with winning as we are. Isn't it possible that what is right for one group of people is not right for another body of people? In addition, we would ask church leaders to be cautious about what is put up for a vote, for some matters probably shouldn't be decided by vote. Whether to bless committed, same-sex relationships, for example, is a topic many bishops and others have insisted should not be determined by a yes-or-no vote. Putting a matter up for vote may, in some cases, imply a denial of its sacred character. Church leaders would do well to show greater sensitivity toward the sacred.