I came across an article written from a secularist point of view but that is quite sensitive to the imporatance of the discussion here at the Independent: Church in the lurch. It also has a bit about the conservative conference (Gafcon) which has taken steps to break away. Though we’re attending a Methodist church and the decisions won’t directly affect us, with 85% or so of our congregation being women, the issue has taken a new reality for me.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Sunday, 6 July 2008 at 4:48 pm
BEFORE THE COMFORTER COMES,WHICH IS THE HOLY SPIRIT JESUS SAID HE WOULD SEND, YOU ARE BOUND TO THE LAW THAT MAKES MEN PRIEST5, BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT JESUS HAS SENT
ABIDES IN YOU, SUDDENLY YOU ARE FREED FROM THE LAW OF MANS PRIESTHOOD AND AWAKENED TO THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT; TO THAT LIFE JESUS
GAINED FOR ALL OF US WHICH IS NOT BOUND TO THE LAW OF AN EARTHLY PRIESTHOOD RULED BY MEN WHO KNOW SIN AND DEATH. THE LIFE THAT CHRIST GAINED IS WITHOUT SIN OR DEATH AND TOTALLY FULFILLS GODS LAW.
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 3:29 pm
When the Spirit came both sons and daughters prophesied, the Church stopped talking about leadership as priesthood altogether, ‘bishops’ were plural, and although the leaders were still mainly men, some were women including apostles, prophets and teachers.
So lets hear it for scrapping priest language, making bishops work together and for women being allowed to exercise all the ministries they did in the New Testament. Oh – and for men to be alowed to be men in Church before we end up with lifeboat Churches – women and children only.