Thursday 18 August 2011

the role of women in the church

http://www.redletterchristians.org/women-should-remain-silent/

The link above is a very interesting reflection on some of the passages often used to suggest women should not be leaders in the church.

It's amazing how easy it is to believe something and find a Bible passage that seems to back it up.  How much harder to read the Bible and be prepared to challenge our deeply held beliefs...

Thursday 14 July 2011

what was Jesus' managerial/leadership style?

Today I was reading some comments following my football team's first game of the year, in an away match in Poland.  It was a tricky tie, and they lost narrowly 1-0, but have a return game to play on their home territory.

The manager was upbeat and positive despite the loss.

And some people slated him for it.  They said that only in our country could we celebrate a loss, and only a manager of our nationality could think not losing too many goals was a success.

I disagree with that.  I imagine these people come from the old school of management that says if you shout at people loud enough and criticise them publicly, they'll pull their socks up and do better next time.

But it made me think - what was Jesus' managerial style?

He managed a team of 12 people, with more following.  He organised them - sending out 72 in pairs with instructions how to proceed (Luke 10: 1-24).  He was a role model to them (they followed their Rabbi closely, learning from watching him).  He answered their questions when they had burning issues, so clearly he made time for them.  He wasn't passive and laissez faire, because he took action, but nor was he overbearing and harsh.  He appreciated the value of time out and going to a quiet place.  He liked a good party.  He practised what he preached.  He lay down his life for his friends.

I'd like to play for his football team.  Oh, I do.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Sometimes everyone's wrong...

It seems deeply ingrained in human nature to want to be right.  I know I'm right when I say that... ;-)

But seriously, have you ever noticed in deeply heated arguments, people sometimes just want to hold on to their position, not so much because they believe it, but darn you, because I refuse to give in!?

From God's perspective, I think he measures things differently.  We obsess about being right.  He is probably more concerned about showing love.  Of course, we need to look to God for how to do this, but especially in theological debates, I think both sides can be "in the wrong" even if one side is "right".

If you've read other posts on this blog, you'll have seen me refer to Romans 14.  This is one of my favourite passages, not because I like what it says, but because it really takes me out of my comfort zone.

A group of "conservative/traditional" believers was in a minority.  They were in the same church as some "non-conservative/traditional" believers.  Trouble was brewing.  Paul wrote to them and told them to grow up.  Well, I paraphrase a bit.  He actually told them to stop condemning each other.  Interestingly, he agreed with one side (the non-conservative group, and he even called the other side "weak" in faith), but he didn't side with them.  He sides with the Church, and that includes all Christian viewpoints.

I know not everyone reading this will agree, but I think we often can't see the wood for the trees and in our attempt to be right, we end up becoming so, so, wrong.

Want to discuss the Bible and Homosexuality? This is the place!

As long as people are respectful of one another, I'm happy to have discussion about the "big debate" regarding the Bible and homosexuality (from a Christian perspective). If you want to know my thoughts on it, read previous posts. Please just be aware that for anyone wrestling with their sexuality, it can be a very difficult time, so bear this in mind in how you express yourself. God bless.

Sunday 27 February 2011

show me another way

The problem with extremists is that they frequently get a sense of identity from comparison with others, usually the opposite extreme. They continue to exist and thrive, usually as a result of some kind of invisible war with others.

Here's a couple of silly examples to help explain what I mean. If a group decided to set themselves up as "tall-ites" then they would get a sense of identity from not being small. The in-group is tall people, the out-group is small people.

If introverts decided to form a club (ha! we know they wouldn't!) then they would have a sense of identity by comparing themselves to extraverts. We're not like these brash, in your face, talk-lots-listen-little folk.

But here's my problem. I am an inch and a half smaller than the average height. Does this make me a "small-ite"? I like people, but have a slight leaning towards introversion. Does this mean I belong to the introvert group?

And now here's my real issue. Some people in the church call themselves liberal, and they will talk a lot about how they disagree with fundamentalists (or literalists or conservative evangelicals or whatever). Others call themselves conservative evangelicals and will talk about how they are standing up against liberals.

But what of those of us who are neither far left nor far right? Do we have to take sides? The extremists would say yes. Which is why we must put a case forward for a third way. Perhaps it doesn't need a name, or perhaps we call it moderates or something similar.

I want to belong to a group of people that allow diversity, encourage discussion and debate, but never at the expense of love. I might have a different view from you, but that doesn't mean we have to have opposing positions. We can share a middle ground position, even if we have very different views.

As the Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 14:

"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall."

Only then will those outside the church look in and see a love that conquers all and begin to be attracted to that community and the message it has to share.

God bless you