I Timothy 3:1-13
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a [j]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Ask and ye shall receive. Yesterday I prayed that God would show me things I wasn’t weighing in my decision. I have come to find out that the Church of England recently ruled that gay bishops in a civil partnership that remain celibate can remain bishops. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/04/church-of-england-gay-bishops
I do not understand how this ruling adheres to this passage and the rest of Scripture’s teachings on homosexuality. It appears that the Church of England is trying to walk a fine line in adhering to Scripture and the laws produced by England
I am not a fan of women clergy as I do not believe it is God’s model, but this ruling is one step away from outright defiance against God. Anglicans accept women for priests, but not bishops (at least not yet). I believe it is not God’s model, but at least there are valid arguments to be made for allowing it. Not so for homosexuality in the clergy. Right now, I see the Church of England being right at the tipping point. If they were to move any further towards liberalism on this issue, it would not be good, suffice to say. However, I do know that the new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is adamantly against any further moves in this direction, although he is more open to women becoming bishops.
The Anglican Church of North America accepts women as priests, but not bishops, and is not in favor of homosexuals becoming priests. That was the basis of their founding as a response to the Episcopal Church’s decisions.
Do the actions of the Church of England affect my decision? Yes. Will it change my decision? Not sure yet. The Anglican Communion of which the Church of England and the Episcopal Church are a part and the Anglican Church of North America seeks to be a part includes various different interpretations of scripture and worship styles. I am willing to be a part of Christ’s Body the Church even though there are members of the Church that have made unwise decisions. Am I willing to be a part of a subset of Christ’s Body the Church even though there are members of the subset that have made unwise decisions and/or are on the path to doing so? Very difficult decisions, indeed.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
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