Comments for [D]mergent

Comment on Christianity As Impurity Cult or It’s Okay to Leave by anglobaptist

anglobaptist — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:23:02 +0000

I keep coming to the same conclusion. Churches are places for intentional spiritual exploration. Church leadership (ordained or not) is responsible for providing spiritual direction. Think: O’Donohue’s Anam Cara. Our liturgies can do all you ask if we would only take them seriously. Confession, the passing of the peace, Reconciliation, the eucharist…they are all rituals of healing and restoration. That is your “ritual of forgiveness and honesty.” We have it. We just don’t use it.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by paul

paul — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:02:10 +0000

I appreciate your insistence that the words “open and affirming” are different from “gay church.” When I look up the words “open” and “affirming” in the dictionary, I cannot find the word “gay” in either of the definitions. Taking the words “open and affirming” at face value, I would assume that even heterosexuals would be welcomed at such a place. I would not make that assumption about a group that identified as a “gay church.”

“Open” does not mean “agree.” To be open does not mean that one cannot have a different, or even opposing, opinion. But closed eyes cannot see at all. We close our eyes to prevent seeing, or perchance, to dream. We all “see through a glass darkly.” even with eyes wide “open.” If we “affirm” this as fact, then we all have a place at the feast of life. The table is round, there is no head of the table.

In the context of church, and more plainly put… I’d feel welcomed at a church where members/leaders might say: ” I think that _______ is an issue for a Christian and, so far, this is why I believe that way… but I could be wrong (that’s “open”). I welcome and value you as wanting to see clearly just as much as I want to (affirmation). Come, let us reason together”

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by josephpusateri

josephpusateri — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:48:23 +0000

“Freedom means taking sides in a crisis situation, when a society is divided into oppressed and oppressors. In this situation we are not permitted the luxury of being on neither side by making a decision that only involves the self. Our decision affects the whole of society, and it cannot but be made in view of either oppressed or oppressors. There is no way to transcend this alternative” -James Cone.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Rev. J.C. Mitchell

Rev. J.C. Mitchell — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:51:10 +0000

I thought that’s what you were doing, so thank you.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Derek Penwell

Derek Penwell — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:27:37 +0000

Steve: I’m with you on the difficulty we encounter in the level of commitment it takes both to have the kind of thoughtful discussion you describe, as well as to be open to the kinds of changes that will come in being welcoming to folks across the usual lines of demarcation–race, ethnicity, social class, etc.

Thanks once again for your thoughtful comments.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Derek Penwell

Derek Penwell — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:23:24 +0000

J.C.: You are absolutely right that hospitality is the central issue, and that no group has a corner on that market. Thanks for the important reminder.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Derek Penwell

Derek Penwell — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:21:49 +0000

Jeff,

Thank you. I love the “Straight White Male” piece. I’m sharing that one. Thanks.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Steve DeFields-Gambrel

Steve DeFields-Gambrel — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:29:54 +0000

Being open to homosexuality is easy, because white, middle class homosexuals have no problem speaking our language, singing our hymns, following our liturgical style. The real difficulty comes when we have to change what we’re doing to be open to other races, social classes or ethnic communities. To do that engages music and worship changes that are really challenging.

By the way, I’m one of those who has not brought up the issue, because my congregation is willing to commit the time and effort required. For “Open and Affirming” to have real meaning it should come from a place of serious biblical reflection, and that’s something a lot of congregations are not willing to do. These days it seems to me that almost no one is willing to commit to serious biblical reflection about anything, much less this issue. “It’s boring, it’s too much work, it upsets me, I don’t have time.”

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Rev. J.C. Mitchell

Rev. J.C. Mitchell — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:55:31 +0000

I agree that no one is making the argument that its about one issue, rather it is about hospitality. As a parent of a child with special needs, I believe this is essential for our family, as well. It is about being Open and Affirming of ALL. Ironically, I have known of O&A church that did not do a great job with children with special needs, as referenced in an article of mine. The lesson is to understand the radical hospitality we are called to provide and be.

Comment on Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” by Attention: O&A Doesn’t Just Mean “Gay Friendly” | [D]mergent « The Company of the Eudaimon

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:37:27 +0000

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