Dear Jeff,

as I said time and energy preclude me from doing the large amount of study that would put my conscience in a state where I'd die over this one. Hence I'm not planning to answer your question! Pace.

Refusing to serve would indeed have made it difficult to assist my pastor since our discussions do place me as a helpful if dfferent insider rather than an outsider. Many of the opportunities with my pastor have grown considerably since I became a deacon. Indeed we did discuss even this issue (not in great detail since we had previously talked about it) as well as other matters before I became a deacon. He was very keen that I should be able to serve the church in this way.

In Christ,

James.