Right…this blog stirs up the pot for me too. His interpretation of Tim 2 makes my conscience twinge and causes me to wonder if the church is doing the devil’s work regarding women’s roles.

Uhh…except that Pat Robertson contributed to the Danver’s statement, making it automatically Pat Robertson-esque, and Tammy Lahaye-esque! Shocking!

I wasn’t offended though. What always trips me up in the gender role discussion is where women can take on leadership roles. It seems that the only way for the church to allow women into some roles is if the men decide to entertain the notion. That always makes me uncomfortable because I don’t trust myself or other men to be willing to relinquish anything like authority. Which is actually one of the points in the Danvers statement (point 4). So what makes me nervous is that if we are wrong in our interpretation only the men can challenge the wrongness but in doing so we can’t sort out if we are only looking at it because culture has made us uncomfortable or because the Spirit is stirring us to look at these issues until we align with God’s intention.

Also, when people try to talk about “how to be a man” they can’t seem to avoid talking about “how to be a good person”. Humility and integrity aren’t traits of manhood, they’re traits of personhood. What is confusing is what makes us good men instead of just good people.

It’s odd, because this issue doesn’t really bother me normally, until there is a talk about it and I start trying to think it through.

But I thought Mark did a good job of dishing out a difficult statement, he did a boss-hog job.

Always good to read your posts, Noel. I’m so pleased to see, if from a distance, the things the Lord is doing in, around and through you. Say hey to Grace&Co for me!

That night I heard you teach I knew Riverview was home, and hearing you and the other pastors like Mark continue in that way helps me know Riverview will be home for a long time to come.

Just Joking

oh… and… um… send some of those single girls my way :-X