tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post3731358970711386662..comments2023-09-13T13:47:47.106+01:00Comments on The Changing Attitude Blog: Why does God call lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into ministry?Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09163737925142519555noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-37030132289529681022009-12-16T19:15:31.263+00:002009-12-16T19:15:31.263+00:00I guess that means that you don't believe anyt...I guess that means that you don't believe anything I said is accurate? You'd rather say "Hater" than address what was said.<br /> Another sign of Mainline protestantism's irrelevance; you respond to anything not an encomium with shrieks.Brad Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17381562723928616425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-31660817337269986742009-12-12T05:14:28.256+00:002009-12-12T05:14:28.256+00:00Colin, Brad Evans is an atheist, racist, Statesoni...Colin, Brad Evans is an atheist, racist, Statesonian who makes the round of progressive Anglican/Episcopalian blogs making dumb ass comments. At worst ignore him, at best remove his comments. If he gets no attention he moves on.Brother Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333089314994730330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-88282654741286083042009-12-11T00:18:39.974+00:002009-12-11T00:18:39.974+00:00Lack of diversity? It's 96% white (middle/upp...Lack of diversity? It's 96% white (middle/upper middle class white/north European white at that) here in the US and Canada. "Challenging"? I guess that's churchspeak for "we preach one thing at headquarters but nothing changes at the grassroots level".<br /> If it's god calling why aren't they there? You don't think that there are any elements of self-selection at work? "Like calling to like"?Brad Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17381562723928616425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-50859596068732677692009-12-10T11:39:58.974+00:002009-12-10T11:39:58.974+00:00I am still shocked at the use of the word "in...I am still shocked at the use of the word "inflitrate". We are talking across such a huge divide here, it is hard to know how to begin!<br /><br />What do you do with a mindest that sees Christianity as a clean, straight faith which unclean people may wish to join and which they illegally and immorally infiltrate, because no decent Christian would give them houseroom?<br /><br />What do you do with a mindest that doesn't even understand that we believe we are genuintly called by God, not that we simply try to find devious ways to undermine what's right?<br /><br />And what do you do with a mindset that doesn't even comprehend the possibility that God may be calling lgbt people just as they are, without wanting them to change first?<br /><br />The certainty of it, the self-righteousness of it, and the lack of humility of it leave me genuinely speechless. <br /><br />I'm only glad that in decent society, people like this are becoming fewer and fewer.<br />I am sad that all those misfits seem to find refuge from science, theology and compassion in our churches.Erika Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01812376497361267014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-3135477517988284532009-12-09T20:27:49.245+00:002009-12-09T20:27:49.245+00:00Is it possible that the truth might be somewhere i...Is it possible that the truth might be somewhere in the middle in some cases? <br /><br />I am not for one moment questioning your own vocation Colin but surely you'd admit that there are elements of church life that are screamingly camp? And whilst some of the vicarages I've seen are ghastly 1970s boxes no self-respecting poof would ever wish to live in, others are absolutely to die for!!<br /><br />As a gay man myself(whose career was in a sterotypically gay job in HR) I feel I'm allowed to make these observations!<br /><br />Just trying to lighten the mood here a little :-)<br /><br />Laurence C.<br /><br />PS I also understand that at St. Stephen's House, Oxford the ordinands' "names in religion" are always girls' names such as Ethel or Shirley! Not like St. John's Nottingham which is MUCH more butch (where Chris Sugden went).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-23461998510829879932009-12-09T18:29:30.954+00:002009-12-09T18:29:30.954+00:00Brad, you seem to have no conception at all of the...Brad, you seem to have no conception at all of the way in which people experience God at work in their lives - even in the lives of gay liberals and radicals. My vocation experience was and is deeply rich and holy and it's sad that all you can do is sneer at those of us called by God into faith or ministry.<br /><br />The question about people of colour and the lack of diversity in UK congregations is challenging. The Church of England was tragically unwelcoming to post-war immigrants and this explains in part why they left and formed their own congregations and churches. But there are many integrated congregations with majority of people of colour.<br /><br />Living in expensive ghettos is another snide comment, untrue and unworthy of a Christian. Gay priests are renowned for having sacrificed personal ambition and an easy life to minister in inner city parishes.Colin Cowardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00030093527945687306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-6123523446730152792009-12-09T17:29:25.525+00:002009-12-09T17:29:25.525+00:00How about this question: Why so few clergy of colo...How about this question: Why so few clergy of color in a church that claims to "celebrate its diversity"? Why do you preach a rainbow and then pray in a church 96% white (and middle/upper middle class/North European white)and live in expensive ghettos?Brad Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17381562723928616425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443447842611499359.post-24076521977147983202009-12-09T17:27:27.456+00:002009-12-09T17:27:27.456+00:00Are you serious? It's not the upscale appeal ...Are you serious? It's not the upscale appeal of doing choreography (sorry-"liturgy"), getting to wear expensive satin outfits and hang around others who share their orientation and be paid for it?<br /> You might as well ask why gays are disproportionately represented in the ranks of those buying houses in Key West, Provincetown, Aspen or Vermont: it's an upscale way to escape.Brad Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17381562723928616425noreply@blogger.com