would you change church?

[beansmum]

The church I go to takes the bible pretty literally and I have problems with some of the ideas preached. I have been finding it a bit tricky recently at housegroup when everyone seems to agree except me on things like women ministers, homosexuality, sexual activity (of any kind including snogging) before marriage. But I love the people, have made great friends and have a really good support network.

What, if anything, would you do?

Regarding homosexuality, if you want to read an alternative view of the Biblical teaching on homosexuality, you could do worse than visit the Lesbian and Gay Christian website. They have a very interesting section called "But the Bible ...", which addresses some of the obvious questions.

Clearly, it is written from the point of view of people who have had cause to wrestle with this particular issue. But it is very thought-provoking, as an alternative to the traditional, conservative viewpoint.

I looked at it as a result of one of my Christian friends "coming out", which caused a lot of hard thinking, as you might expect.

One of the most important things about church is the friendships you make there. Friendships are what keeps people going to a church, not the theology.

If you are in a homegroup, you are probably getting fairly intimate with the others. It is totally OK to question their views, or if you want to be more diplomatic, to say that you are struggling with blanket statements. You understand that the bible says things about homosexuals etc, but it also says that the greatest commandment is to love one another, blah blah blah.

I go to an evangelical Anglican church, which does not rely on any extra-biblical teaching, but we avoid any conflict by never discussing these controversial issues (head in sand). We pretty much believe that discipleship is the way to go.

Well, one good thing has come out of all this. My non-Christian sister has just spent an hour listening to me talking about my beliefs and worrying about what to do, ds picking up ideas I don't agree with, the possibility of losing friends etc. and has suggested coming along to both the local churches with me when she visits over Easter!(the one I currently attend and the other nearest one.) I have asked her to come with me before and she has always said no. Not rudely, she is very supportive, but she has made it very clear she isn't interested.

and on a completely random note... I have no money this week, I didn't know how I was going to feed us all but I have been invited out for lunch every day except one, dinner twice and as I was delivering Easter service invitations today I found a £5 note in the gutter. I'm feeling a bit more certain that God actually does know what he is doing, even if I don't have a clue.

that's lovely you have had the invites beansmum. Such a relief when you worrying about things to have them work out

cant help feeling sorry for the person who lost the fiver though .........

well yes. But there was not much I could do about it and where I live I don't think there is anyone who is really going to miss it. And yes, I know that is a shocking generalization!