Dealing with others that believe in Patriarchy and/or Complementarianism

bèlla said:

While I understand your feelings your response to @Paidiske is telling. You won't attend the Uniting Church because it's too liberal but have difficulty viewing the other with a similar grace. If you want egalitarian theology that's where you should go. If there isn't a church in your vicinity you'll have to make a decision.

If likemindedness is desirable you need to find your people. What you're addressing is akin to a protestant asking a catholic to change. You're the lone one dissenting and already hold different views theologically. Why are you upset with them believing as they do when you're not on the same page?

You can't have it both ways. If egalitarian believers congregate with the Uniting Church that's where you should go and learn to accommodate. Asking another group to consider your perspective while overlooking the other without doing the same seems odd. No church will articulate your beliefs to the letter. You have to pick and choose your battles.

Your walk with the Lord will never mirror what you hear on Sunday or in conversations with believers. We're all at different points and you don't have to get offended. If something makes you uncomfortable you take it the Father in prayer and ask him to strengthen your breastplate. That's why He tells you to cast the care. When you internalize it you weaken your armor.

~bella

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Jeff Carr said:

However, that does not change the fact of the injustice of making demeaning comments about women, that is just so wrong on any level. That is why I am distressed about the situation.

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Jeff Carr said:

As to whether I should join up with the Uniting Church. I am by conviction a conservative evangelical, I believe the Bible to be the Word of God, the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Uniting Church holds doctrines that are contrary to the Word of God, eg. deny the deity of Jesus, deny HIs resurrection, believe in universal salvation, deny there is a place called Hell. I cannot in all conscience's sake, join myself. with people who hold such views. It is not a case of being 'narrow minded' but abstaining from that which is evil.
Thanks again for your reply.

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Paidiske said:

I agree with Jeff that even complementarians ought to be able to articulate their views without being demeaning and belittling of women (but far too often, they are). For example, the claim that women are more prone to error, while oft-repeated, is demonstrably false, and research has shown so repeatedly; but it's a useful tool of control.

I'm surprised at what Jeff says about the Uniting Church's doctrines - that hasn't been my experience of them at all, nor is it what I see reflected in their official documents - and I wonder if that was one particular person or congregation, because there are definitely more healthy examples out there. But either way I am surprised that there are not options around for him in a major city which are theologically orthodox and egalitarian. There are many egalitarian Baptist congregations, for example. But I don't know Sydney's scene very well, because Anglicans there are famously not egalitarian, and it's not an area where I'm particularly welcome!

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Jeff Carr said:

I attend a mid-week Bible study at the local Anglican Church and they are very egalitarian, this in Sydney! In fact, the lay worker who often leads and preaches is a wonderful woman, theologically educated and very gifted.

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Paidiske said:

In Sydney, I would not be able to work as an Anglican priest. I know there are parishes where people disagree with that stance, but on the whole, it's very complementarian. I'm glad you've found one of the dissenting pockets!

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