Where do I stand?

 

Personally, I feel strongly that:

•        I am called to love and serve everyone, even if I don't agree with them or their beliefs, and I can't hold non-Believers to my beliefs, as they don't have the faith and hope on which to base them, but there are things mentioned below where I hold a non-faith-based opinion contrary to the ways of the world, and my last point clarifies what I think is asked of Believers.

•        God created us man and woman, and that can't be biologically changed, nor should that change be forced through unnatural means (affirming therapies, hormones, surgery), and definitely shouldn't be allowed in children,
•      ... and, as Christians, our identity should be first and foremost as a child of God, which can be powerful enough to overcome other identity questions if we want it to be, (I can't expect non-Believers to not question their identity without them having Christ to cling to, but it does make me sad to see people trying to stand on sinking sand and to know that the statistics show increased mental health issues and suicide in those who choose to question/change their gender identity!)
•       both men and women are important but with different strengths and roles to play (not always gender specific, as Ross & I are reversed in some ways from other couples),

•     Sex is designed to be within marriage and, for several reasons in addition to Scripture, I do not see sexual relationships between people of the same sex to be 'good' (impractical, unhealthy, non-fruitful)

•     Marriage is designed to be between one man and one woman (at a time, at least), and intended to be a 'partnership', with God as the 3rd strand if possible,
•        ... ideally, the man being the 'head of the household' and the woman 'enabling' him to be that (this is where I get it wrong a lot), but that doesn't mean the man can be lazy or rude, and certainly not neglectful or abusive.

•     Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life... it's not my place to tell people they are going to hell, but I won't lie if I'm challenged about who goes to heaven, and am not afraid to say that accepting Jesus as one's Lord and Saviour is the only way to have the certain hope of eternal future, and accepting him as Lord and Saviour means sacrificing our personal wants and desires,
•       ... and this extends to who I think the Church should be... I believe that Christian Churches should teach the Scriptures as they are, not adjusting them because the world adjusts.  There will be differences in what Scriptures really mean in places, but I feel confident that everything I've said so far, that is based on faith, is taught in the Scriptures.

•     I don't feel as strongly about Elders only being male, and I see this is as either a “pen” or “pencil” issue
•           … “blood” is non-negotiable issues, as those listed up until this one would be for me, “pen” issues will likely influence which church one goes and/or be things one is looking for in a preacher they follow, ministry they are involved in, but is potentially negotiable, and “pencil” are the smaller differences that we are happy with either way or might just agree to disagree on,
•     I can see why some interpret the Scriptures in a way that permits it, but I am comfortable being under male-only Eldership myself as I see that position being supported by Scripture also, and I feel more at peace with this scriptural position.
•      ... I do feel women can/should be at all other levels of leadership in the church, and that that position is supported by Scripture.

•     However, I have concerns about going too far with feminism and singleness in the church... all humans have a tendency to go from one extreme to the other, and I think we should seek 'balance', rather than 'equality', and allow God's initial designs to be our reigning principles, while acknowledging that marriage/children isn't a path everyone wants to go down.