Haha… yeah I didn’t think you were judging him at all. Just want all to know that the guy has no hidden agenda. Regarding him being for or against gay marriage if he’s against it does it mean he thinks you should change? He may not be at a place yet on what he believes. I know lots of people against gay marriage but they are not against homosexuality. I think we sometimes bring a lot of what has hurt us over the years into if we believe someone or not. And so we should really. But like you said lets find out by talking to him what he believes.

Thanks everyone for being different. I love this forum because I get to here sides of things that you wouldn’t normally in your life.

Hi sman,

Yeh its bound to happen that we bring those hurts along with us and it does shape how we think and act. Thats part of being human.

I also appreciate your point about him not being at a place of knowing what he believes – like with many of us it happens in stages so thanks for pointing that out – easy to forget.

Btw the link you provided to a site about Tony Campolo and his wife didnt work – had to click another link on the page that got thrown up instead and that got me to a general page for discussion of homosexuality and faith. Just thought I’d let you know.

😀

Hi Sman

I can’t grasp why its early days for acceptance. And why on earth can’t pastors accept single parent families? What’s with that?? I think it’s easy to make excuses for the church when really it needed to have gotten with the program a long, long time ago. Making excuses keeps people at a babyish state instead of maturing. Pastors are no different to the rest of us – they need to grow up. (Don’t take this personally – I just need to vent).

Having said that, I certainly don’t mind differences of opinion. I work with them all the time and know that they promote growth, and although not a big fan of confrontation, have realised it’s not so bad afterall. And despite my impatience over the above, I am celebrating this move forward and actually feeling good about it. And thanks for your part in challenging Rob a year ago. You’ve obviously witnessed some progress that a lot of us haven’t so it’s good to get that perspective. It must be nice for you to see that close up too.

On another note, you make a very good point about the fact that whether or not someone supports gay marriage may not reflect their beliefs and attitudes on homosexuality. I know some people who are against marriage as an entire institution but they are not against people who might want to marry, whatever their orientation. Just a thought for you, Ant. Maybe there was another question beneath that one to address to Ps Rob? Is it that you want to know that it’s OK to remain openly gay in the church forever without fear of someone trying to change who you are (when this can’t be done)?

I don’t think you were being anything other than fair and reasonable in your comments, Ant. And I agree that it’s great that Rob is looking at these posts and even having time to answer emails. He must be v busy, especially over this issue, so that is really nice. And lovely point, Meg, about “Whoever is not against us is for us.” You really are a beautiful person.

Thanks Orfeo regarding your info on the gay stats. I was told 10% of people when living in the UK which may have pertained to that population only. But then I don’t know why they’d have more gay people than Australia. Do you know when the Sex in Ausralia study was carried out? I just want to be sure, and one study may not be enough to base a figure on, especially if it was 20 years ago.

Ant, I agree it’s important to feel safe in any environment and asking questions and receiving positive, true answers is a good start. I’m not sure whether those people on the blog were from Rob’s church. The same thought initially occurred to me though. But then I think I saw that one of them was from the US, so quite possibly not from bayside. And yes, I think it’s wise not to put yourself into an unsafe position. I certainly don’t want to do that either and that’s why I ask lots of questions and allow things to unfold.

While I believe Rob’s heart was in the right place with advising that people keep their ideas to themselves in order to reach others, it does come across that evangelism is the main goal rather than just being decent people. I’m sure those that know Rob will say he was trying to get those people to withhold judgment rather than be sneaky or insincere. And as a first step, I can accept that as good as long as the ugly attitudes aren’t just whitewashed over to maintain a certain appearance for the long term.

Ann Maree

well he (Ps Rob and the Bayside CCC) may have a long way to go in his views on the glbti community and equal rights such as marriage

but believe me,

from going to an AOG church only a couple of weekends ago and hearing a message mentioning homosexuality in a very negative way,

he is a total Godsend, very refreshing. I have some hope again, when looking at australian pente churches.

At least it is a start in a forward direction.

But you are all right, we still need to be guarded, just not walled and shut off from possibilities.

At least that is my opinion.

Hi Shane

Yes good point that we don’t know Rob’s views on gay amrriage. That’s really good to hear about Bayside, that your friends have been welcomed in that way. Sad about the other pastors though. What’s CCC? Christian City Church?

Ann Maree