How Good are Your Answers? (Questions to grapple with re LGBTQ)

In the spirit of graciousness, understanding and respect, we have been posturing ourselves to hear multiple perspectives on the issues surrounding human sexuality and gender. We’ve learned that “listening is love” and that we don’t have to agree with someone in order to listen to them. We’ve also said that “every voice matters” but also, “not every voice has equal weight.” In other words, we are attempting to be a community under the direction of the Holy Spirit, that listens and loves deeply while not always agreeing with each other. We have genuine differences but we’re still part of one body. Unity is not uniformity.

At times we are able to hold a simple position on an issue because we have not faced the tough questions that other perspectives ask. This applies to both sides in this dialogue! The only credible positions, postures, or biblical interpretations are ones that have heard and answered the most powerful critiques from the other side.

We’ve compiled a list of questions that the two primary perspectives we’ve been dialoguing with regarding LGBTQ must deal with. These hard questions are intended to help you deal with scripture faithfully and others kindly. In other words, they’re both theological and practical. We know the greatest commandment is love (God and each other). However, the test comes in how we treat those with whom we disagree. These questions will foster a “love your adversary” mentality as well as drive you deeper in understanding other people’s perspectives as well as your own. If you find that you are able to answer these quickly, it may be that you have oversimplified these issues. May God give us grace to take the time and care we need to wrestle with ourselves, each other, and the scriptures to find good and beautiful answers to our questions.

>>If you’d like to access these questions, please contact the office or pick one up from the Info Wall.

 

Do What Jesus Did: Debrief & Stories

It was a great weekend.  On the whole we were encouraged to pray for others with the authority we have as followers of Jesus – to not be ashamed and “turn up the risk” – to be available and to leave the results up Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 2.33.07 PMto God.  There are stories of people being healed physically and emotionally.  We’re only just beginning to see the fruit of this weekend.  Robby simply encouraged us to live into what we’re all called to do as Christians.  He has his unique mix of gifts, as do each of us.  But we are all called to become like Jesus.  Part of what that means was demonstrated powerfully this past weekend in prayer for healing and prophetic ministry.

We want to hear from you.  Do you have a story to share?  Do you have questions about what happened?  Have you tried praying for someone and it’s worked, not worked, or something else?  what does “worked” mean anyways!?  Sometimes weekends like these bring both encouragement and highlight some questions.  We welcome both.  We want to explore what this means specifically in our context.  We want to continue to encourage us to step out and take risks as well as be real, honest and open about our struggles.  Let’s talk.

This coming Sunday (Jan 31) in the Upstairs Gathering we are going to have a forum for dialogue and story sharing.  You can bring your stories of personal healing, or of prayers prayed for someone else.  You can also bring you questions, doubts or concerns.  We’re going to talk together and encourage one another and, of course, pray for each other.

If you missed the Saturday sessions, you can listen to the 6pm session here (unfortunately the other sessions weren’t recorded).  The audio from from Sunday is available here.

Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 2.33.29 PM