Theology, Change & Grace ... Experience

I was talking to a Pastor friend of mine about theology ... he is vehemently non-negotiable about women being in leadership in the church. It is very important to him & he believes women are to be in a support role. A seemingly conservative position ... but he smokes Cuban cigars & goes to Bob Dylan concerts ... who knew.

He says women cannot be leaders of men or preach. To be straight - this guy is a great guy --- he treats his wife like gold & is a person I respect & would work in ministry with anytime!

How do we get so hard on an issue so that we don't even consider that we may be wrong?

Here it is - many times it is insecurity
... it would appear that our self-esteem is based on ourselves - NOT THE MIND OF CHRIST ... most of the conflict in the church may be related to SELF ---> the enemy of Jesus.

Sociologically we are a species that panic & fear change & even combat the new! The unknown is the least favorite place of many or most of humanity.

My family & I love New York City & go 4-6 times a year ... YET, there are many people in my church who have lived this close & never EVER been there in 50 years or even 80 years of residence here!

As my son Jackie says ... "what the?" ... Why?

Natalie says "don't they know how fun it is in Central Park & how good the food is?"

I ask the church people & they say ... "because they don't know how"

They do not know how to negotiate the experience associated with a big unknown. It seems to all comes down to a couple of things ...

1. is there someone who can help you get through the experience to make it a thrill vs. a kill!

2. are you open to admit you HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO

In my humble view ... Humility is the key to the manifestation of personal growth & happiness. People are grouchy because they are dissatisfied with their present life appointment. Apparently, one must move to a place of asking for help in a situation if there is to be change & joy in life.

SO ... anyway ... changing theology requires grace & a soft heart. I have come to realize that almost all of the things that I thought were concrete were actually ---> Fluid. Moveable. Traversable. Like walking on water with Jesus ... seemingly impossible.

Consider this ...

If there were drowning people in the lake & only men were permitted to be lifeguards what would happen? When it was all said & done would Jesus TRULY be gratified & content with those who said "yes Jesus, we could have got more out of the water to escape death - BUT we didn't use any women lifeguards just like you said"

OR ... are we just plain old in need of lifesavers ...?