Homosexuality

[JSM83]

True enough, so we are back to one congregation's own policy...but we do not know which offices, etc. are either open to or closed to any particular people in that assembly. "Leadership" can refer to a wide variety of posts.

The spirit under my question is that I don't believe that this policy is an isolated one on homosexuality.

I think this policy is fairly prevalent within modern christianity. I think it's fair to almost say - generally, you should expect to see this policy given in a church that believes homosexuality is a sin.

Do you disagree?

I can concede that there are very many christians and churches out there who do not have this policy or belief. I am interested in those that "generally" do.

 

[Albion]

The spirit under my question is that I don't believe that this policy is an isolated one on homosexuality.

Not "isolated," no, but just one among a number of different ones.

I can concede that there are very many christians and churches out there who do not have this policy or belief. I am interested in those that "generally" do.

What IS "this policy?" That is the first question I asked and no explanation has ever been forthcoming--perhaps because it isn't known to you. If you don't know, that's fine, but we still cannot guess at it and then critique our own guess, can we?

 

[JSM83]

Not "isolated," no, but just one among a number of different ones.
A bit more than that I reckon. I’d say fairly prevalent.

What IS "this policy?" That is the first question I asked and no explanation has ever been forthcoming--perhaps because it isn't known to you. If you don't know, that's fine, but we still cannot guess at it and then critique our own guess, can we?

What I mean by policy is this: a practicing homosexual may not be in leadership

 

[JSM83]

Here is an example:
ought a church officially saying this:
“We oppose ... within certain churches the movement .... () ..... to permit the ordination to ministry of those (homosexuals) in such sexual relationships.
In other words - practicing homosexuals may not be in leadership (in the above case leadership is ordained ministry). Ought an ordained minister in the above church also have to have children who are believers and not be an overeater/ binge tv watcher (dissipation)etc etc??

 

[Strathos]

Discussion of this topic is banned in this particular forum.

 

[JSM83]

Discussion of this topic is banned in this particular forum.

haha I assume that is satire.
I’m not here to bash people for their beliefs - I am here to consolidate my own on the matter.

It seems some churches say practicing homosexuals may not be in leadership (not specifically given as instruction in the New Testament), but, then, they ignore characteristics specifically mentioned by Paul in the New Testament.

I’ll concede that I need to read deeper into the epistles.

 

[JSM83]

haha I assume that is satire.
I’m not here to bash people for their beliefs - I am here to consolidate my own on the matter.

It seems some churches say practicing homosexuals may not be in leadership (not specifically given as instruction in the New Testament), but, then, they ignore characteristics specifically mentioned by Paul in the New Testament.

I’ll concede that I need to read deeper into the epistles.

im trying to find out what I’m missing here because it sounds like somesingling out practicing homosexuals and saying they may not be in leadership all the while letting others in who don’t make the cut either??!!

haha I assume that is satire.
I’m not here to bash people for their beliefs - I am here to consolidate my own on the matter.

It seems some churches say practicing homosexuals may not be in leadership (not specifically given as instruction in the New Testament), but, then, they ignore characteristics specifically mentioned by Paul in the New Testament.

I’ll concede that I need to read deeper into the epistles.

Say the “elders” Paul refers to in Titus are vastly different from “ordination” into a church. That may be one answer but seems to miss the spirit of Paul’s instruction - eldership appointed over a group of converts seems remarkably similar to “ordaination” ??

 

[JSM83]

I'd think wisdom would cause you to pick people who aren't addicts of any kind. I'm not sure why disbelieving children is in there. Maybe someone has some context on that one.

“I’m Crete, where Titus found himself, there was the possibility that a candidate for the eldership might have unconverted children or children who were “wild and disobedient”. Carson, Moo, Morris, 1992, An introduction to the New Testament.

Is that rule still observed?? If not why not and what about the gluttony??

This must have flagged as a discrepancy in peoples minds - how do they overcome it?

By not letting practicing homosexuals into leadership are we setting an impossible bar for ourselves to be in leadership?

 

[Strathos]

haha I assume that is satire.
I’m not here to bash people for their beliefs - I am here to consolidate my own on the matter.

It seems some churches say practicing homosexuals may not be in leadership (not specifically given as instruction in the New Testament), but, then, they ignore characteristics specifically mentioned by Paul in the New Testament.

I’ll concede that I need to read deeper into the epistles.

No. It's a rule that homosexuality can't be discussed in the ethics and morality forum.

 

[Tinker Grey]

No. It's a rule that homosexuality can't be discussed in the ethics and morality forum.

That's not exactly correct.

Statement of Purpose - Ethics & Morality Forum Statement of Purpose

Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, Bisexuality and Transgenderism/Transexualism: Discussion of these topics must comply with the sitewide rule barring the promotion of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, and transgenderism/transexualism. Discussion and debate should only be directed toward political, legal, historical and civil rights issues, and should not be directed toward the morality of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality or transgenderism/transexualism.

Given that the OP seems to be about ethics in the church, it may still not be covered by the above. But homosexuality can be discussed if in a limited way.

 

[JSM83]

That's not exactly correct.

Statement of Purpose - Ethics & Morality Forum Statement of Purpose


Given that the OP seems to be about ethics in the church, it may still not be covered by the above. But homosexuality can be discussed if in a limited way.

wow - thanks anyway

 

[renniks]

“I’m Crete, where Titus found himself, there was the possibility that a candidate for the eldership might have unconverted children or children who were “wild and disobedient”. Carson, Moo, Morris, 1992, An introduction to the New Testament.

Is that rule still observed?? If not why not and what about the gluttony??

This must have flagged as a discrepancy in peoples minds - how do they overcome it?

By not letting practicing homosexuals into leadership are we setting an impossible bar for ourselves to be in leadership?

I don't understand your last question.
Would you let practicing witches be leaders?
Or practicing adulterers?

 

[JSM83]

I don't understand your last question.
Would you let practicing witches be leaders?
Or practicing adulterers?

If I set those standards for homosexuals, then, no to witches and no to adulterers.

Nor would I let in those who had children that didn’t believe nor would I let in leaders who were substandard on some level required for leadership stated in the New Testament.

 

[topher694]

im trying to find out what I’m missing here because it sounds like some singling out practicing homosexuals and saying they may not be in leadership all the while letting others in who don’t make the cut either??!!

I'm not sure how you are coming to this conclusion. Do you personally know of many churches that disallow homosexuals in leadership, but allow the others you've listed?

 

[JSM83]

I'm not sure how you are coming to this conclusion. Do you personally know of many churches that disallow homosexuals in leadership, but allow the others you've listed?

yes - I have known it.

 

[topher694]

yes - I have known it.

How many?

 

[JSM83]

How many?

I didn’t count

nor do I have a current count

 

[topher694]

I didn’t count

Ballpark it

 

[JSM83]

Ballpark it

that would miss the point

 

[JSM83]

that would miss the point

my attempt at ballpark - enough to say - Christians in my circles have all heard the policy and it’s not unusual. Many would find it unusual to disallow leaders based on the faith of their children or leaders based on whether or not they are prone to overeating or other indulgences