Crystal Cathedral Asks Choir Members To Sign Anti-Gay Covenant

The Orange County Register reports that members of the choir at the financially troubled Crystal Cathedral are concerned by a covenant they have been asked to sign that places a strong emphasis on them being heterosexual and Christian. The Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant, recently distributed, states members should commit to being Christians by following the Bible in every way. Sheila Schuller Coleman, senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, stated that the Reform Church has consistently maintained that marriage must be between one man and one woman. This statement is part of a covenant, which several of the cathedral's choir members are reluctant to sign. Former and current choir members say they are particularly offended by a statement in the document that refers to homosexuality. Long-time church members say this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand against homosexuality and are disturbed by it. The covenant states that "I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman." Ann Moore Waltz, a long-time church member said she does not agree with the statement in the covenant."If I were still in the choir and if that was presented to me, and if a gay person had walked out, I would have walked out with him or her," she said. "If you are a Christian group and people come to you, you should be a good servant, love them and shine the light of Jesus on them – regardless of who they are." Sheila Schuller Coleman, daughter of the founder and senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, issued a statement Tuesday saying the document is intended to "clarify expectations placed on them as ministry leaders. It is true that our new choir covenant includes a definition of marriage and that may have contributed to the hurt," she stated. "The definition is the one that our denomination, The Reformed Church in America, and the Crystal Cathedral adheres to, based on its understanding of the scriptures." Coleman apologized for the pain the covenant has caused some choir members. "As the church has been engaging in this sensitive dialogue, people that we care for deeply have been hurt," she said. "We are sincerely sorry. Those of us in church leadership ask for understanding as we seek to obey God and love all of His children." The contract also states: "I will be committed to sharing my complaints and issues only with the people involved...I will not discuss any unresolved issues with anyone other than the person(s) involved along with the Minister of Worship." John Charles, a spokesman for the cathedral, said this does not mean gays are banned from the choir. "This contract is to educate choir members about what our church believes in," he said. Choir members at this point are "strongly encouraged" to sign the covenant if they wish to sing in the choir, Charles said. A church member who has been with the Crystal Cathedral choir for the last 19 years said she will quit if she is required to sign the covenant. "I have already told them I won't sign it," said the choir member, who asked not to be identified. "We have had gays in the choir before. I'm not gay. But I don't believe in what they're saying."