Massachusetts Jerusalem Council Responses
(April 2, 2005)
- What values do we hold in common that inform our capacity to live with profound differences in interpretation of Scripture?
Comments:
- Fairness
- Unity of Church
- Affirmation of one another
- Openness
- Affirmation of shared beliefs
- Purity
- Baptist principles
- Obedience
- Sanctification
- Covenant
- Individual/community values
- Balance of Baptist principles
- Common belief system
- Finding a way to stay together
- Centrality of Scripture
- Centrality of Jesus
- Discernment in the community under guidance of Holy Spirit
- Accountability
- What holds us together is greater than what tears us apart
- Fellowship of suffering
- What do you have to say to the Senators about the Proposed Amendment?
Comments:
- Disenfranchised if we cannot choose our own Senator
- If voted in, I will leave Ministers Council
- Table the motion/withdraw
- A vote creates winners/losers
- Both sides put brakes on
- Will open a can of worms
- Redefines good standing
- Correct wording: ABC has no “Policy” on the issue
- Comprise – a provision which would say “We will not seat open and practicing homosexuals for a time;” other side would not insist on a rule
- Not ready to vote – continue serious dialogue
- “Our” Senator – regional freedom
- Amendment ends where italics ends
- If we define in one area we should define in all
- If God were to show us a way forward together, what would it look like? What can we imagine? Is it possible?
Comments:
- Forty years in the wilderness
- Liberals and conservatives dancing together
- Study and dialogues on sexuality
- Dialogical/Covenant Model
- God would not use terms liberal/conservative
