I'm writing this on the way back to Bristol on a very packed train.
I went to the pastors house this evening after work to talk about my role in the church and their stance on homosexuality etc etc.
Pastor Trev is what we're gna call him for the rest of the blog (or PT for short).
We chatted for quite sometime and ate dinner.
This is the conclusion of the discussion.
Now to be fair to him, he had done his research and read up alot after I said I was gna chat to him about it.
The first thing he was very clear about is that whether you're hetro or homo, sex outside of marriage is wrong. Which to be fair is my point of view.
The second was that we are all sinners and no-one has more of a right than someone else to lead etc as we are all sinners.
The third is that the bible dose not condone homosexuality.
Now 2 of these I agree with and the third not so. But there you go, agreeing to disagree is what I'm gna be doing with a lot of people. And this message wasn't at all delivered in a condemning way at all, it was delivered with love, compassion and humility.
The conclusion of all of this was to give it time, he had to work out where he stood on me being in the leadership, and when he does he needs to be very sure of himself so he can support me.
He was very clear that he had not made a decision yet.
So what do I take away from this. The first is that I'm fully welcome in this church, I can call it home and become part of a thriving congregation.
The second is that, if its gods will, then I will continue to be involved with, and potentially return to, leading worship.
So I'm just gna pray that God will be in this all and that his will is made clear. And that if God no longer wants to be a worship leader that I walk away with good memories and no bitterness in my heart.
So get praying chaps and chapets.
I think the song that somes it up for me is Surrender.
Click here to have a listen.
2 months ago
3 comments:
Well good luck with church. I am glad to see you have Birdie on your blog list, I think you will find support from her like no where else when it comes to religion.
If you are in an Anglican church, steer your pastor to This Far By Grace by J. Neil Alexander, an Episcopal bishop who was on the council to consecrate Bishop Gene Robinson, who is an openly gay priest. in this short book, Alexander—who is straight—takes us on his journey from being like your own pastor to becoming one with loving acceptance. (The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican Church.) Are you Catholic? Presbyterian? I have resources for those denominations as well.
And thank you, Stephen, for your vote of confidence. I really do want to support gay persons in their struggles to reconcile faith and orientation. There does not have to be schism.
So, if he believes the Bible does not condone it, does be believe the Bible condemns it? I'm not sure for myself that the Bible allows for it, but like slavery and womens rights, the Bible can exist peaceably with modern views.
BTW we've got to catch up at some point!
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