I had a rough couple of months wrestling with a ministry dilemma. I was involved with a website that promoted women in ministry; the scriptural Truth of it, and God's plan for women.
Great website, but we had a disagreement about keeping a valuable resource on the site because the author penned a Gay study NT. Some of us wanted to keep the original resource on, the voting majority wanted ALL of the author's stuff off. I could have gone along with most of that: I wasn't a voting member and I felt the women's ministry took precedence. We were all, except 2 of the founders, trying to find a common ground that all would find agreeable.
The problem settled around how to handle the whole thing. Most of us wanted quietness and perhaps to answer individual questions on an individual basis. We also wanted to keep a place for gays to come, to feel safe. We think Jesus would have wanted it that way.
I've been chastised, my discussions and arguments have been called "dispicable,"; we were under a "beguiling spirit," etc. Not much short of accusations of working with the devil. I've been accused of "influencing" one of the founders.
Gays have been judged, from what I can surmise, as unredeemable. Somehow, I missed that at the Cross.
3 of us have resigned...one woman was one of the founders.
This all sickened me, but it pointed out to me why people run from the "love" of Christianity.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
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15 comments:
Your journey will continue. You took a brave stand. I think we all are forced to take a stand at some point; or we retreat from that place and are worse off for doing so.
Thanks, Don. You've been an encouragement in this.
I am so sorry, Karen. I know this was a ministry that is close to your heart. What Don says is eloquent and so very right. I will pray for hearts and minds to be opened and healing for those who are hurt. I am very proud to call you friend. Your heart reminds me of Jesus like no other.
Thanks, Missy.
If you'd heard some of my thoughts during this time, you probably would know my heart isn't anywhere close to Jesus-like!! ;-}
That's ok. I am sure it came back to Jesus - eventually. {c;
It did. I think. He's kinda hard to hide from once you find Him!!
K, I think that last comment is one of the most profound things I've ever read. Seriously.
Oh, wait...until I saw the word verification:
"uqnbaful"
Yes, yes I can!
I found you again. You didn't tell me about this place. I was looking at Missy's site and chose this link and here you are. I think He's at it again.
God is using this experience for both of us. I believe we are both thanking Him already.
Now I want to make my own "God" blog.
Go for it, Pat!
missy...lol! cool!
Pat, yes, I'm still hiding this blog. . .don't want to scare off the more traditional folks yet. Yes, I am praising Him everyday.
Everyone...Pat is the one founder who stood on the rock with love instead of
not hidin' it anymore!
I am struggling to find the heresy on your new blog.
Please write more.
Mike, heresy has gotten a bad rep...it just means that we are contrary to standard church dogma...but then, you know that.
the word religion has gotten a better rep...and shouldn't...it really means to "rebind."
No freedom in that.
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