Dear Lynn and Stephen
Can we acknowledge again the work you are doing to seek to keep our Baptist family together while addressing the issue of Same Sex Marriage? We do appreciate the careful way you have sought to do this and you continue in our prayers.
We are deeply disappointed by the recent BU Council statement.
50 years ago gay relationships were illegal, punishable by prison. Society drew no distinction between those who abused the vulnerable and those who, being homosexual, only soughtadult mutual relationships. Society has now come to a position where adult mutual relationships between people of the same sex can be affirmed and celebrated.
Because LGBT Christians had until then had to keep their identity hidden, most churches have initially seen these changes in society as examples of sinful immorality. LGBT Christians have had to navigate their relationship with their churches in this changing context. This has been extremely difficult because the issue has been clouded by difference in theology and scriptural interpretation and different views are hotly contested. However it is very clear from the evidence that LGBT people are present in and grow up in all churches whether conservative or liberal.
We are grateful that the Baptist Union has sought to enable churches to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on these matters through the publication of Making Moral Choices and also providing material and personnel to work with churches and then to begin a conversation at the Assembly in 2013. We do very much appreciate that BUGB’s role has been to enable conversations to take place, not to prescribe the outcome, which would be contrary to our core belief as expressed in the Declaration of Principle.
Where churches have discerned through prayer and study of the scriptures that marriage is appropriate to be offered on the same basis as it is offered to opposite sex couples, that should be accepted with mutual respect in the same way that the discernment of others that they will not do so. That is why we find the statement deeply disappointing. It underlines the need for us as Baptists to engage with each other, step back from the heat of the debate and find a way to build understanding. As Baptists who happen to be gay, we are willing to be part of that process.
To quote Justin Welby, both of us find our true identity in Jesus Christ. Neither of us chose to be gay. Both of us, after years of struggle in our own life story, have had to accept that that is a true description of our sexual orientation. It is a matter of honesty and integrity.
As part of our Baptist family we have been able to share those truths as we have together sought to understand the nature of homosexuality and sought to discern God’s will for us.
At the Baptist Assembly in 2001 where Martin “came out” at a plenary session considering the subject in the context of prayer, God brought us together in a way that convinced us that this was part of His purpose.
We have been able to share our story and other LGBT Baptist Christians have also shared their stories.
Long before this, BUGB had published Making Moral Choices and Martin’s church, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin found this invaluable after he had shared his story.
The further study material produced by BUGB again enabled Tilehouse Street to pray and read the Bible together around the time we made our loving commitment to each other and became Civil Partners in 2008. A Church Meeting then addressed the issue of whether to accept those in same-sex partnerships into membership and leadership. An overwhelming majority discerned that this is the Lord’s will.
The Assembly in 2013 started a conversation on this subject. We understand the fears of those who come from theconservative part of our Baptist family. Those are our roots too. We are willing to share our stories, as many LGBT people, particularly in the more conservative churches are unable to do so.
We are aware that there are those like Joanna Williams in our Baptist family with the skills to promote a genuine conversation where everyone’s fears are heard and respected, at the same time allowing the safe space where people can share honestly and safely. Then by prayer, genuine Bible study and openness to the Spirit the conversation may be transformed for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We urge Council to make facilitating this conversation its priority. The Council’s statement is no more the last word on the subject than Canute’s alleged command to the sea.
Yours in Christ’s service
Ian and Martin
Ian and Martin Stears-Handscomb
Can we acknowledge again the work you are doing to seek to keep our Baptist family together while addressing the issue of Same Sex Marriage? We do appreciate the careful way you have sought to do this and you continue in our prayers.
We are deeply disappointed by the recent BU Council statement.
50 years ago gay relationships were illegal, punishable by prison. Society drew no distinction between those who abused the vulnerable and those who, being homosexual, only soughtadult mutual relationships. Society has now come to a position where adult mutual relationships between people of the same sex can be affirmed and celebrated.
Because LGBT Christians had until then had to keep their identity hidden, most churches have initially seen these changes in society as examples of sinful immorality. LGBT Christians have had to navigate their relationship with their churches in this changing context. This has been extremely difficult because the issue has been clouded by difference in theology and scriptural interpretation and different views are hotly contested. However it is very clear from the evidence that LGBT people are present in and grow up in all churches whether conservative or liberal.
We are grateful that the Baptist Union has sought to enable churches to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on these matters through the publication of Making Moral Choices and also providing material and personnel to work with churches and then to begin a conversation at the Assembly in 2013. We do very much appreciate that BUGB’s role has been to enable conversations to take place, not to prescribe the outcome, which would be contrary to our core belief as expressed in the Declaration of Principle.
Where churches have discerned through prayer and study of the scriptures that marriage is appropriate to be offered on the same basis as it is offered to opposite sex couples, that should be accepted with mutual respect in the same way that the discernment of others that they will not do so. That is why we find the statement deeply disappointing. It underlines the need for us as Baptists to engage with each other, step back from the heat of the debate and find a way to build understanding. As Baptists who happen to be gay, we are willing to be part of that process.
To quote Justin Welby, both of us find our true identity in Jesus Christ. Neither of us chose to be gay. Both of us, after years of struggle in our own life story, have had to accept that that is a true description of our sexual orientation. It is a matter of honesty and integrity.
As part of our Baptist family we have been able to share those truths as we have together sought to understand the nature of homosexuality and sought to discern God’s will for us.
At the Baptist Assembly in 2001 where Martin “came out” at a plenary session considering the subject in the context of prayer, God brought us together in a way that convinced us that this was part of His purpose.
We have been able to share our story and other LGBT Baptist Christians have also shared their stories.
Long before this, BUGB had published Making Moral Choices and Martin’s church, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin found this invaluable after he had shared his story.
The further study material produced by BUGB again enabled Tilehouse Street to pray and read the Bible together around the time we made our loving commitment to each other and became Civil Partners in 2008. A Church Meeting then addressed the issue of whether to accept those in same-sex partnerships into membership and leadership. An overwhelming majority discerned that this is the Lord’s will.
The Assembly in 2013 started a conversation on this subject. We understand the fears of those who come from theconservative part of our Baptist family. Those are our roots too. We are willing to share our stories, as many LGBT people, particularly in the more conservative churches are unable to do so.
We are aware that there are those like Joanna Williams in our Baptist family with the skills to promote a genuine conversation where everyone’s fears are heard and respected, at the same time allowing the safe space where people can share honestly and safely. Then by prayer, genuine Bible study and openness to the Spirit the conversation may be transformed for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We urge Council to make facilitating this conversation its priority. The Council’s statement is no more the last word on the subject than Canute’s alleged command to the sea.
Yours in Christ’s service
Ian and Martin
Ian and Martin Stears-Handscomb