Saturday, May 20, 2006
Welcome to the Blog
Welcome to this blog. As the title suggests, the discussion here will deal with same-sex marriage in Canada. In particular, I hope the discussion will turn in the direction of how the evangelical Christian Church in Canada is dealing with this issue. How things are going, how they should be going, how things need to change. It's all open for discussion.
This blog is also serving a larger purpose. As part of my graduate education, I am required to complete a major research project. This is the subject I have chosen. You may think I'm crazy. Somedays, I wonder myself. But there is no question in my mind that this is an issue that is ever-so-subtly creeping up on the church. In fact, it has already shown itself in a few instances. In spite of this, however, churches all across our country are unsure of at least two things: (a) how they would handle a situation if it ever arose, if it hasn't already; and (b) if they haven't dealt with it, what they need to do to start thinking about it. Most people have an idea of how volatile this can be, but just as many have no idea what to do next.
That's where you come in. Over the next little while, I'd like to begin an ongoing conversation with you and many others about how the church - how your church - can and / or should respond to the same-sex marriage issue. What is your church doing? How are they preparing? Have they done anything at all? How has your church educated you about Bill C-38?
If you just read that last question and you're wondering what in the world Bill C-38 is, you're still welcome to be part of this discussion. Even though you may not be familiar with that terminology, you are likely somewhat familiar - even only vaguely familiar - with the same-sex marriage debate in Canada. Please participate as you can in this conversation.
Though my research will deal more specifically with how leadership for a Christian pastor is changing in light of this, your insight is still quite important to me. Maybe you're a leader in a church, maybe you're not. Maybe you're a Christian, maybe you're not. Maybe you go to church. Maybe you don't. Maybe issues like this are why you don't go to church. Regardless of your background, you're welcome to enter into the discussion. Let me and others know what you think.
The old saying goes that you should never talk to your father-in-law about two things: religion and politics. And yet I'm asking you to talk about them both. Together! Fortunately, I've been blessed with a father-in-law to whom I can talk about both of these things. Even if we disagree, we still respect each other at the end of the conversation. Please understand that this blog is not the place to persecute, chastise, or ridicule those who may not share your opinions, beliefs, or convictions. This is a place for open, honest discussion about a subject that has the potential to change some of the fabric of Canadian society. Please show others the respect they deserve and that you hope to receive in return.
Along the way, I may ask if I can quote some of what you contribute to this conversation as part of the final draft of my project. Please don't let that inhibit you from posting what you think. If you don't want me to quote you, just say so when I ask you, and I won't. It's just that simple.
Every now and then, I'll post a question or two to guide the discussion so keep checking into the blog regularly. But please feel free to interact with me and each other, and I'll try my best not to stifle the flow along the way.
Welcome, again, to the conversation. And thanks for participating in an important project.
K
This blog is also serving a larger purpose. As part of my graduate education, I am required to complete a major research project. This is the subject I have chosen. You may think I'm crazy. Somedays, I wonder myself. But there is no question in my mind that this is an issue that is ever-so-subtly creeping up on the church. In fact, it has already shown itself in a few instances. In spite of this, however, churches all across our country are unsure of at least two things: (a) how they would handle a situation if it ever arose, if it hasn't already; and (b) if they haven't dealt with it, what they need to do to start thinking about it. Most people have an idea of how volatile this can be, but just as many have no idea what to do next.
That's where you come in. Over the next little while, I'd like to begin an ongoing conversation with you and many others about how the church - how your church - can and / or should respond to the same-sex marriage issue. What is your church doing? How are they preparing? Have they done anything at all? How has your church educated you about Bill C-38?
If you just read that last question and you're wondering what in the world Bill C-38 is, you're still welcome to be part of this discussion. Even though you may not be familiar with that terminology, you are likely somewhat familiar - even only vaguely familiar - with the same-sex marriage debate in Canada. Please participate as you can in this conversation.
Though my research will deal more specifically with how leadership for a Christian pastor is changing in light of this, your insight is still quite important to me. Maybe you're a leader in a church, maybe you're not. Maybe you're a Christian, maybe you're not. Maybe you go to church. Maybe you don't. Maybe issues like this are why you don't go to church. Regardless of your background, you're welcome to enter into the discussion. Let me and others know what you think.
The old saying goes that you should never talk to your father-in-law about two things: religion and politics. And yet I'm asking you to talk about them both. Together! Fortunately, I've been blessed with a father-in-law to whom I can talk about both of these things. Even if we disagree, we still respect each other at the end of the conversation. Please understand that this blog is not the place to persecute, chastise, or ridicule those who may not share your opinions, beliefs, or convictions. This is a place for open, honest discussion about a subject that has the potential to change some of the fabric of Canadian society. Please show others the respect they deserve and that you hope to receive in return.
Along the way, I may ask if I can quote some of what you contribute to this conversation as part of the final draft of my project. Please don't let that inhibit you from posting what you think. If you don't want me to quote you, just say so when I ask you, and I won't. It's just that simple.
Every now and then, I'll post a question or two to guide the discussion so keep checking into the blog regularly. But please feel free to interact with me and each other, and I'll try my best not to stifle the flow along the way.
Welcome, again, to the conversation. And thanks for participating in an important project.
K
