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Talking About Sex on Sunday...

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mrg
 
Joined in 2010
August 30, 2011, 00:31

During the course of 2011, I’ve been taking my church (Lilydale Baps) through a series on the “Practices of Faith”. Traditionally Baptist churches have been really strong on doctrine, but not so hot on putting that doctrine into practice. Slowly but surely we’ve been trying to rediscover ways that different people and different traditions have practised their faith through history.


We’ve looked at the classical spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, fasting, simplicity and the like. We’ve looked at the sacraments of baptism and communion. We’ve also looked at social justice, care of the environment and and serving each other. Yesterday we took a deep breath and looked at sexuality as a practice of faith.


As a bit of background, I’ve been the senior pastor at this church for just on two years now. They’ve known about my interaction with the LGBT community and I’ve raised it from time to time in different settings, but never tackled it head on. I was waiting until the church got to know me and my heart to the point where they would trust me to take them on a journey where they have feared to tread in the past.


So yesterday, Keith Dyer from Whitley College came and shared in the morning service about Biblical perspectives on sexuality. He spoke on 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 and did a brilliant job of describing the cultural setting in which Paul was speaking and encouraged us to interpret the meaning on that passage in it’s context before applying it to our time. But to take things deeper, I invited Keith to a BYO lunch after the service where I shared a bit of my own story and we then opened things up for the folk in attendance to ask whatever they wanted.


There were about 300 or so at the service in the morning and maybe 50 that stayed back for the lunch afterwards. I laid down the rules at the start of the lunch session and stated clearly that I would not tolerate the perpetuation of any stereotypes, gay bashing or christian bashing. This was to be a session to ask honest questions in an environment of respect.


Over the next two and a half hours, Keith and I answered lots of questions ranging from verses in the Bible, to raising children, to the high suicide rates in the LGBT community, to gay marriage and even sex in elevators (you had to be there…). A couple of our LGBT friends shared some of their own story too which helped shed new light on the issues at hand.


My aim was not to convince anybody of anything, but to simply allow an open forum for people with different opinions to explore a real issue in an atmosphere of mutual respect. In a semi rural (and some would say semi redneck) context, talking about sexuality, and particularly homosexuality, was potential recipe for disaster! However it turned out to be one of the better experiences in church ministry that I have had.


I wondered whether I would still have a job today (Monday), but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Yes, we didn’t agree on everything, but rarely had we ever spoken so honestly and openly with each other. Many have requested a follow up session to explore the topic further. Many have also asked to do the same thing with other hot topics as well.


This is something to celebrate! A number from the forums and the Melbourne chapter of F2B have visited LBC over the last two years, and I think some of the regulars at the church haven’t quite known what to do or how to react. But after yesterday, I think the “fear factor” has been removed and we’ll be able to take a few more steps on the journey. There’s still a way to go, but I think we’re heading in the right direction!


I wouldn’t mind hearing the thoughts of those F2B’s that were there on how you thought it went, as well as some ways that it could be done better next time around. Post your feedback here so we can learn from each other!


Hope all is well!


mrg



Ann Maree
 
Joined in 2008
August 30, 2011, 11:16

Hi mrg


Congratulations. That sounds wonderful. 🙂


When you referred to the classical spiritual practices throughout history, I was reminded of the saints of old that were into ascetism, like flaggelation, wearing sackcloth to make the skin bleed and the wearing of spiky chastity belts!!? Inflicting suffering upon the flesh was meant to bring about purity of the soul. I find that bizarre and yet people of today struggle with others’ sexuality! Go figure.


Here’s a link I found on ascetic practices in the middle ages if anyone’s interested. http://science.jrank.org/pages/8388/Asceticism-Western-Asceticism-Middle-Ages.html


I love the way you describe sexuality as a practice of faith. And why not? Everything we have, when offered in truth and love, can be a practice of faith. 🙂 I like how the ancient goddess religions used to have no separation between sexuality and spirituality. It was all acceptable before God and then patriarchy came along and decided the body was wrong. :~


Keep up the great work, mrg. It’s encouraging to hear about.


Blessings to you and your church,


Ann Maree



forestgrey
Chapter Leader
Joined in 2008
August 30, 2011, 11:16

Great stuff, mrg. I wish I was in Melbourne. Do you have recordings of the sermons available?


In interpreting scripture, the liberals say, “well, it might mean this, and it might mean that .. .. .. there again, it might mean something else – just take your pick”. Many evangelicals (and the self-proclaimed ‘reformed’ up here in Sydney) say “it means this” and then say (usually by implication rather than directly), “you’d must believe this .. .. .. and don’t entertain the possibility of other nuances”. It is great that you are leading your people out of the narrowness of past thinking into the richness of wider Christian thought. Without losing your evangelical and Baptist distinctives.


(Incidentally, love your church logo. A great reflection of your geography and more.)



missmuppet
 
Joined in 2011
August 31, 2011, 12:15

mrg, 🙂


Your confidence and discussion on Sunday has inspired me to be more ok about being myself. I was there! And you know me. I’m the founding member of your fan club… Lol!


It was a bit uncomfortable being there, but to be honest I didnt even think about how it might be. I’ve been so hurt from Church in the past, that the discussions on Sunday didnt really make a dint. I guess I expected it to be a divided room. But God saw it all and he simply LOVES so….


God bless you mrg! xoxo



Michelle
President
Joined in 2008
August 31, 2011, 20:28

🙂 0:) :bigsmile: 😉 :p :O :~

We were there!

Loved your bravery (nerves weren’t too obvious) and the openness of your congregation. I found it difficult at times to be silent and just listen to the conversation, however it was not the time for all us lesbians and one flapping queen to speak up! The journey has begun and they are in good hands!

Thankyou MRG x

Michelle

F2b President



forestgrey
Chapter Leader
Joined in 2008
September 1, 2011, 00:39

OK .. .. .. so who was “the flapping queen”? No, I think I can guess!


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