Monday
May312004
Pastor's Conference
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 11:53PM
For the past fifteen years, I've gone to Pastor's Conference the first week of June. It's usually a much-needed break, and it's fun to hang around with some of my colleagues. The speakers are hit and miss, but the best part is hanging out and recharging. This is the first time since 1987 that I'm not there. Ed's there, but I decided not to go this year. The main reason is that I spent two weeks away for my D.Min. course earlier this year. That's enough time away from work and family. I'd be looking for marriage counseling if I went away this week. I have mixed feelings about not attending. Part of me wishes I was there. Another part realizes that the politics of the denomination the past few years have caught up with me. I was doing okay until a meeting not so long ago, when I realized I'm one of the guys their mothers warned them against. On some theological issues, I'm not really out there (some of you will disagree), but I'm far enough to really not belong. It's kind of ironic that the conference speaker this year (Stu Briscoe) is on the opposite side of the fence on the political issue along with me. He's a signatory to the Christians for Biblical Equality statement on Men, Women, and Biblical Equality. Anyway, it's good to be home with family.
Reader Comments (16)
Stu Briscoe poses quite the argument...a side that I haven't heard before. I have not read the references to scripture yet so I'm not sure if I support his argument whole-heartedly. His opinion is much different from the one I was taught growing up. It's nice to have one's views challenged in order to strengthen your position...or change a misconception.
We're missing you up here buddy, and Briscoe got off to great start last night. Ed is walking around like a lost puppy, with his intern in tow... just kidding, they're managing without you. The worship is better this year, and there's a great spirit. Why don't you come up for Wednesday and Thursday AM? We've got an extra bed!
Darryl, as far as issues go where do you stand on the homosexuality issue?
I think Darryl's straight at least I recall him referring to a "wife" several times. LOL.
George, I'm glad to answer you, but I need to ask first: where did that question come from?
Where did it come from? Your post has to do with a current issue in the church, women in leadership. Another current issue in many churches is homosexuality and the blessing of same sex unions and all that. Isn't the Anglican church in Canada having a synod right now and that is one of the issues they are dealing with? I was just curious where you stand on the issue. You post a lot on other blogs when it comes to the women in leadership issue and you are ok with that and I was just curious where you stood on this issue. So I guess out of all that came the question
Thanks, George. It really is a different issue than the gender one. I was hoping that you didn't think that the two were related in any way. While this is a little off topic, I believe that homosexual acts are in the category of sin, as are many other thoughts and actions. One of the best statements I've read on the issue is found here: http://www.parkstreet.org/pulpit/studyqss.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.parkstreet.org/pulpit/studyqss.shtml Hope this helps.
Darryl, I'll have a look at that when I have a chance. You're right the two issues are different. I think maybe the only way they relate is that isn't it true that many churches who some time ago went through the women in leadership issue, and now have it, are now struggling through the homosexuality issue and the blessing of same sex unions and all that. The homosexual lobby is huge and powerful, just look at how it is beginning to impact the election campaign. It is critical, I think, how the church of Christ responds to the whole issue. Many churches and church leaders who believe it is sin are yet silent about the whole issue. The future implications are going to be huge, I think.
Time with the family. I think you have your priorities in place very well. Blog on!
George: If I can challenge you a little, why the need to go off topic from my post? I don't understand why you had to make sure I agree with your position, or why this particular issue has captured your attention at this time. I like how the article I quoted said, "I do want to emphasize that I do NOT consider homosexuality to be worse than any of the zillion sins I commit every day. In fact, it is tribute to the infinite grace and mercy of God that the sanctuary roof stays up each day that I walk into the room." It's fine to hold a position, but I am very wary of people who major on issues like this.
I think this is an issue worth majoring on. I would never be "wary" of a Christian standing up relentlessly against the homosexual agenda. For that matter we all have different passions, some of these passions likely even prompted by God. Some of the issues of the day require constant equiping, study, and passion to defend against. If we just kinda give a passing thought to these issues we'd be steam rolled in any argument. The imbalance would be if each and every Christian took up the same cause not individual Christians taking up a cause for which they are passionate about. Darryl, if you're gonna use this argument one could say that you're imbalanced and we should be vary of this guy who's always harping on the difficiencies of the church. I think we should support each others passions as long as they're doing it in a honouring fashion. Jacob.
Darryl, you said "It's fine to hold a position, but I am very wary of people who major on issues like this." I'm assuming you wrote that in response to me asking you the question. I asked you the question because it came to me as I read your post and your mentioning of issues. You had given your opinion on a number of issues but I wasn't sure where you stood on the homosexuality issue and I was curious. So your position is that it is no different then a zillion other sins and you are wary of me because I seem to be majoring on it. I think the difference is the agenda Darryl. There is a huge agenda at work that is and will affect all of us in society, Christian or not. I just finished reading an article in my local paper about the Halton Pride picnic being held tomorrow. Everyone is encouraged to come out with the kids and enjoy a wonderful day. Its just a different lifestyle we are being told. Just look at what is going on in the election with this issue. Then look at what is happening in so many churches with this issue. Its tragic. People are being misled by so called professing Christian leaders in so called Christian churches. I know you read the Singpost blog, I've seen your posts there and no doubt you have read the entries there about this issue. Its curious to me you don't post about this issue. You know its a huge issue and how the church responds is critical I think. The difference is the agenda of those involved in this sin in and out of the church. First of all they want to tell us that its not sin. They want to educate children to believe that it is just another lifestyle. When was the last time you saw a group of adulterers or thieves, or slanderers having picnics inviting the children? When was the last time you saw goups of those types lobbying government demanding their rights? That's the difference Darryl, its the agenda of the homosexual lobby. I know what happens though. You express this kind opinion on liberal blogs and you are considered homophobic. I'm not really concerned about that, God knows my heart and it is to Him that I will give an account, as we all will. God's Word is very clear on the issue of sexual immorality and homosexuality is a form of that. We need to embrace the sinner and point them to Christ. How we do that with homosexuals should be no different than adulterers or others. But we shouldn't be silent on the issue either for fear of offending. And that is what is happening in many Christian churches. God help us to be faithful witnesses for Him in all things. I was so reminded again this week of the holiness of God and how he hates sin and the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf. I wonder what Christ thinks about His church embracing this sin as just another lifestyle. I wonder what He thinks about so called Christian leaders who have the audacity to imply that in Romans 1 what Paul really meant was that if you are heterosexual you shouldn't be engaging in homosexual sex. As opposed to what he really said "26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. " Isn't that amazing, that they would argue that? So am I majoring in it too much Darryl?
George: I sense a post coming on! Let me think about it a little.
George, your quote of scripture is very good. Especially about how they "received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." We, as followers of Christ, are not supposed to judge non-believers but rather believers. God will deal with the homosexuals and their agenda. He has in the past (Sodom & Gomorrah, the days of Noah) and he will continue to do so. If you really would like to mention a very crucial subject in your blogs, I think "worldliness" is one of the largest threats in churches and christians today. We are called to holiness...not to fight agendas. I admire your passion, George, but I wonder what your agenda is trying to pull out a position on this issue from Darryl, which I think we all know where he stands.
Wow, Peter said it for me. It's one thing to have this discussion when it's an issue within the church (like the current Anglican debate). But why try to influence culture on this one? Why this issue and not common-law marriage, easy divorce laws, or any other hundreds of moral issues? Why do we expect unbelievers to act like believers? I echo what Peter says: "We, as followers of Christ, are not supposed to judge non-believers but rather believers...We are called to holiness...not to fight agendas."
"Darryl, if you're gonna use this argument one could say that you're imbalanced and we should be wary of this guy who's always harping on the difficiencies of the church." Jacob, this might scare you, but I think I actually agree with you. ;)