The BBC today reports that the Christian youth worker turned down from a post has won his Employment Tribunal case on the grounds of unfair discrimination because of his sexual orientation.
This has been the first test case of the legislation which makes it illegal to discriminate against people as a result of their sexual orientation. The law does contain an exemption for organised religion.
As an Human Resources professional and a Christian, I really don’t know what to make of this.
I believe that churches should be free to appoint leaders who’s lifestyle is compatible with their beliefs and teachings, not because they are less capable of doing the job, but because we are called to live our lives “blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father” (1 Thes 3:13). If leaders are living their lives in ways that are not honouring to God (and in terms of sexuality I believe that means any sexual relationships outside of marriage, but applies to areas other than sexuality, e.g. drugs or alcohol abuse, gambling addictions etc) then I don’t feasibly see how they can lead God’s church. That is not to say that God only wants perfect people to serve Him, but leaders do have to set an example, and particularly when working with young people are seen as role models. I do think that this only applies to leadership positions in the church, and I certainly wouldn’t have a problem with anyone working in areas where they didn’t have responsibility for preaching, teaching or pastoring.
However, I also think that the church has a responsibility to show care and compassion, and it appears that in this case, the individual concerned felt he wasn’t treated in a way honouring to God. I hope the diocese concerned learns from this, but at the same time I hope they do appeal against the judgement, and that the Employment Appeals Tribunal really investigate what the “organised religion” exemption in the Employment Equality regulations actually means.