Sydney, Australia - THE president of the Uniting Church has pleaded for co-operation on his first day as leader of the denomination.
The Reverend Gregor Henderson said it was distressing that disagreements over theological and pastoral issues such as sexuality and leadership had descended into "personal denigration and abuse".
The Uniting Church, which began its week-long triennial assembly in Brisbane yesterday, is divided on the issue of whether to allow gay clergy.
At present the decision to appoint gay ministers is made at the presbytery, or regional level, but a group of dissident members wants the issue decided at national level.
If the assembly refuses to budge, the rebels could launch a breakaway movement.
The rebels claim dissatisfaction over the gay clergy issue is a major factor in declining church attendance. The leadership denies this, and points to ageing congregations.
Mr Henderson said he was committed to bridging the divide and maintaining unity.
He hopes to speak to many of the rebels and say they do not need to leave the church, "because it is our faith in Jesus Christ that binds us together".
"We need to wait and see what the assembly wants," he said. "In the coming week, we will be trying to discern God's will and what he is saying to the whole church. We are one Christian family, even if we do have our differences."