All your big words back there managed to give the vague impression that it was an actual denial of the Gospel. Stories of Jesus sharing love, community, and personal connection (even when he rebuked) fill the rest of the Gospels. What does he know? Is a JH an elder? Get Started Join us Sundays at 10:30am. Specialties. We are an Open and Affirming congregation in the . ANY sex outside of that is morally wrong in Gods eyes. Any affront to the gospel is heresy. Lots of folks. Im not suggesting religious communities shouldnt have core beliefs and clear tenets of faith. Maybe in those days that was considered finding common ground.. Theres a point to this but its not happening the right way. Updated August 18, 2020 It is one of my favorite stories. If you work on the Sabbath, how do you justify that? Also, you can say it all you want, but monogamous, consensual, same sex relationships are neither sinful, nor addressed in scripture At. Jesus wanted to create a stampede of animals out of the temple, and theres no reason to conclude he used the whip for any other purpose than this. Austin Miniatures Western Barn Wild West Cowboys Conte . I think we should go one layer deeper, where is the accountability of the Jens and the Robs? "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'. The old you have to be tolerant of my intolerance argument. We must do better. If they say something a number of us disagree with, and do so publically, maybe we can disagree from beneath that is, with a profound sense of our own brokenness and need of Christs Grace-full touch? Well, the opposite. Thats why you go first alone, then take a witness or two and finally tell the church. I was a sinner when saved and I still sin. The gospel of Jesus is the core of our faith. One is the leaven of the Pharisees, one is the leaven of the Herodians, both are an affront to the gospel. And then there are the oft-cited examples of Pauls implicit endorsement of slavery and the reduced role/view of women. Some express it in healthy ways, some do not. That sparked the beginning of a journey of discovery of what it means for the Church of Jesus Christ to be missional. But this only provided them with more ammunition and fueled their rightness. The loaded the big guns, and intensified their attack. JM: Jason Morriss, primary teaching pastor and elder at ANC, employed by the Free Methodist Church to serve at ANC since 2013, previously of Joel Osteens Lakewood Church in Houston Shes not a heretic. By saying homosexual practice is not sin, it is a form of self-justification rather than Jesus-justification. Huge fan of the underdog. Is BH on staff at ANC in any paid or unpaid position? I think everybody should be treated with love and respect at church no matter what their sexual orientation. The few times he ALSO talks about marriage, he often talks about the END of marriages and how marriage can be a distraction and how it would be better to end a marriage than continue one if the continuation of a marriage would cause someone to go against Gods plan. In seeking purity, all they do is destroy. As in, what you say is great. What about speaking in tongues? If Jen Hatmaker was silent on the issue and started loving on homosexuals, nobody would say anything. However, most of my Presbyterian friends dont believe or practice this. Will you explain that that was okay back then but not now? The Bible says that leaders are held to a stricter standard. He was talking about divorce, and the only reason he was talking about it in the first place was because the religious leaders were trying to fuck with him JUST LIKE THEY ARE DOING TO JEN HATMAKER. Shes just one person. Jen already said how she came to her changed decision she isnt going to answer you one by one because 1. But He didnt. I dont know the answer, but Jesus was public in his condemnation plenty of times too. Haters will be haters. Yes, Ryan, that is Gods plan. So where does same-sex marriage fall on this? The Bible gives us ample examples of this. My study of the scriptures has helped me come to the conclusion that drinking alcohol is not sin if in moderation. Rae, hes not slamming anyone. And it was allowed. A CHURCH WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS. IN-PERSON | 2701 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 ONLINE | Facebook or YouTube I'M NEW HERE. But an encounter with a homeless man who wanted his Texan boots changed all that. The only concern I have about this is there is a difference in my view of confronting personal sin, or solving a personal conflict (which has a biblical process as to prevent gossip and slander); and confronting a public teaching. Its not as simple as that. I have. Jesus reprimanded the woman at the well. The grace of God is a core gospel issue. The whole account shows Jesus mercy for sinners, certainly not a model for punishing the sinner. He established the church with his then-wife, Jennifer Lynn Hatmaker, in 2008. Entire nationsmen, women, and childrenwere slaughtered this way. Thanks for a great post Michael wisdom and love together. And discribes a very good process. Jesus was not harsh with sinners; His only harsh words were for wayward religious leaders. In January of 2018, after coming under the . Hello! The Scriptures are very clear that predestination exists, yet there are millions of believers who dont believe in it. Humanitarian. And when I say hugs, I mean THE KIND A MAMA GIVES HER BELOVED KID." But to God? To me this is just one more instance of tolerance being a one way street. Im not. There is nothing more frightening to a human being (and this time I say this from personal offline experience) than the sense that the community is turning on them. Jesus came & died to forgive sin, not condemn people. We need a new class in seminary and Bible schools: Communication 102 Using public media wisely examples from the Gospels and the Epistles. Does shaming those who speak up for the vulnerable bring people to the Loving and Forgiving God? After six years of growth, mature budget, people growing in Christ, we had three to four couples in our church create their pack, circled the wagons, and made sure that at the cost of unity in the body of Christ that they were going to exude their spiritual superiority at any cost. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector. Polygamy was still occurring in the New Testament wealthy Jews. And in a case where these well-known teachers, who are influencers of millions of the church, appear to err in their teaching, is it appropriate for those familiar with them to call them to repentance publicly? During these six months, I couldnt sleep, I began to have periodic heart palpitations, and went into a dark place of depression. Its crazy to speculate what Jesus would or would not approve of if he didnt specifically speak about it. Many are calling it out. I know a guy with a Phd from a very conservative seminary who loves Jesus with all his heart, but he doesnt believe the earth was created in six days. Yet, the Bible is clear that it was. 1,863 were here. Increasingly, 140 characters on twitter are used to express quite nuanced positions. It will open us up to the new: while religion continues to be a profoundly important vehicle for personal and community identity it also embraces a humility borne of the awareness that our knowledge is partial we see through a glass only darkly. I believe if someone publicly steps out of orthodoxy, it is fair to point out where you think they might be in error. [] women of privilege are protecting the last remnants of institutional prestige, and it looks bad. Healthy religion gives confidence to embrace the stranger and insights that are available from those with a different experience of life. I Corinthians 5:11-13 NKJV What has happened to jen is not great! Question posed to Brett, a follower of Jesus that is gay: How do you Biblically justify living a homosexual lifestyle?, Because this question was submitted anonymously, I dont know what Christian tradition youre coming from. In January of 2018, after coming under the umbrella of the United Methodist Church, we were gifted our beautiful new campus in the heart of the 04. Can core beliefs and clear tenets of faith survive for very long in the same room as life and health and love? In my view, heresy is anything that keeps someone from falling into the arms of Jesus and His grace. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Austin Miniatures Western Barn Wild West Cowboys Conte Compatible Marx TSSD at the best online prices at eBay! David I am so truly, deeply sorry to read your story. I begged these people to stop and shared with them how it was affecting me and my staff. Clearly, the time they went public it is public. Sad. He just wasnt talking about that. Brett Trap has it going on. 2:24. Later compilers did that. But the start of this topic was about error in teaching. In the Nicene Creed, Christians declare our belief in the four key attributes of the church when we say, [We believe] in one, holy, catholic. Holly, let me guess: Youre heterosexual and married or in a relationship with a manmaybe you have kids. The C-List celebrity world you pursued comes with its pluses and minuses. I Corinthians 5:10-13 NKJV Love, Garry. 5 It says, For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will live with his wife. How do you think that friend of mine justifies his belief? This is blasphemy pure and simple, to say they felt told this. I read the wounded wolves article and was disturbed by it as well. Hatmaker's father was a pastor and ran a family church. My guess is, she knows precisely what shes doing. Because if it is sin, the only justification we are allowed as believers to practice is repentance and forgiveness through the cross and grace of Jesus. Yeah I wonder that too about the changing of the mind. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Homosexuality isnt the only sin there are other sins but since this is the topic here being discussed-Well church is for everyone-its for the sick not the well. Get the bloodlust out of your system, people. The strictest. Have you noticed hardly anyone at your church sings the congregational songs anymore? While people are free to express themselves many ways sexually, to do so outside of the marriage bed is against the message of Jesus. I understand the point and process of biblical feedback. Here are his words to think about while you play gatekeeper over Hatmaker and the others and this topic. At the very least she deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Yes the 2nd chapter of Genesis is poetry. Austin New Church. I am so tried WITH Vicky of the implication that those that support same-sex marriage are not serious about the Word of God. However, I am 100% sure its not sin, so I feel like I am doing nothing wrong and am not presenting an affront to the gospel. With only a framework of religion, either The Right or The Left will show that broken Identity. Of course, most us common folk dont have Jens email [or Rob Bells, or others], but I appreciate the way you make yourself accessible via social media. And you know I respect you, right? I have been in the conservative church for over half a century, and Im getting to the point where I feel that if the conservative church wants to exclude me, then so be it. How bad does it have to get? Well, one things for certain, it will be far worse for you for raising the issue than it will for anyone in leadership thats doing the sinning. We should love every one but never condone sin. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Its kind and helpful. It was based on knowing I had no hope and believing Jesus was empowered and pleased to offer me new life, hope and fellowship with God. Saying that a certain act is not a sin, is the same as saying that I dont need Jesus to wash away my sins.. My 2 cents. I do think Christians have adopted some culturally normative communication patterns; engaging in reflexive critique via social media and being far too easily offended, among them. Thank you, and god bless each and Evey one of you. Its often very ugly. Brian Austin Green Praises Megan Fox As He Claps Back At Ex Vanessa Marcil's Coparenting Dig. (In the latter, its called the Church Discipline passage & is about kicking people out. But I understand itI was one of those at one time, too. Its just so obvious that the creator God made man for man. I do not support condescension, intentional divisiveness or mean spirited attacks. Is that a strict standard? I teach others as well publically that drinking alcohol in moderation is not sin. 1BN-General. Im simply asking you to justify the parts of the Bible you either reinterpret or ignore altogether. Please let me clarify something I just wrote above: Yes, homosexuals as well as anyone else should be allowed-ENCOURAGED-to attend church for the reasons above-to repent and get help, whatever the sin is, not just homosexuality. Questions: And it wasnt me but Jesus who said to lust in the heart is adultery, to hate in the heart is murder. I hope Ive brought some clarity. It was the era of the Walkman, acid wash jeans, Miami Vice, Chernobyl, and the beginning. And I dont know anyone who doesnt love a little Righteous Anger. Did ANC follow typical ecclesiastical procedures regarding their change in position regarding an important, divisive, and controversial doctrine? Tuesday. But yes, darn it, we really do need a theology of sexuality. Saying sin is wrong is not hate speech. We tell local Austin news & weather stories, and we do what we do to make Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Dripping Springs, Bastrop and the rest of Central Texas a better place to live. State desire to remain in a tension on the issue, however, no opposing historical views are presented, and most if not all elders holding to traditional views have left ANC since the interview. The protectors of orthodoxy appear to have drawn a bead on her as they did on Rachel Held Evans, Rob Bell and Brian McLaren before her. However, the scriptures are clear that homosexual practice is sin. In empathy with both the Pro & Anti rhetoric about Personalities in Leadership, this smacks a bit of ideological differences of political alignment. At some point the quantity and quality of ex-evangelicals will outweigh the insiders, and evangelicalism will struggle surely supporting Trump is against its original principles and a sign of its death. Anyone who writes a damning or imperious or condescending comment on their blog is only showing they have no such concern for the person. Specialties: Our dream is to have an increasingly positive impact on the South Austin Community. CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE. The couple split in August 2020 after several years of marriage. Way too much dialogue is done publicly and its not healthy. My only comment is that this pack attack syndrome is alive and well in the Baptist Association of NSW. Brian Austin Green praises Megan Fox & refutes other ex Vanessa's claims. (Like you have pointed out, this isnt the first time something like this has gone down.) Was the author referencing Jen as a wounded wolf? It was also Jesus who affirmed what exactly a marriage covenant is when he said, from Genesis, that a man leaves his father and mother to cling to his wife and become one flesh. Restore Groups (Missional/Incarnational Communities) are clusters of friends throughout the city in which community, communion, and mission unfold as a way of life . In the end, people are going to follow their hearts/instincts. I dont think anyone should be throwing their children out of their home-or berating them to the point of suicide. This should surprise no one, least of all the writer. When superstar Christians promote that agenda, in many peoples minds, it just increases the tendency towards this syncretism and there is genuine concern. It may exist elsewhere but not in the realm of Christian orthodoxy. This is the right thing according to Matthew 18, a teaching emphasized in the intentional-community churches Ive been part of since reaching adulthood but not in the evangelical ones I grew up with. Maybe try and figure out where your love went. There are lots of examples in Scripture of people being baptized. In like fashion, conservatives are trying to reason from Scripture why homosexual sex (as well as any sex outside of marriage, including LOOKING at another person with lust in your heart) is damnable sin but thanks be to God we are SAVED in CHRIST from it! Many first century believers did, and we dont have real solid evidence that it ever was meant to be retired. Do you? March 26: Remaining elders, including BH, re-affirm the affirming position first announced to ANC via the internet interview. This is the Jesus I follow Have mercy, people. Ive been reading it for many, many years. Excellent thoughts regarding correction, Michael Frost. Austin New Church 141 viewsStreamed 3 days ago 1:15:21 ANC 01-22-2023 Sunday Live Service Austin New Church 192 views Streamed 10 days ago 1:06:19 ANC 01-15-2023 Sunday Live Service Austin New. 7:30 pm Primary Purpose - IN-PERSON. Get the bloodlust out of your system, people. We have to look at all the Bible to draw our conclusions. As strongly as your convictions are explained here, please remember that many conservatives feel equally as strong regarding their heartfelt desire for biblical holiness. Judging by the comments I see here some of you really, really need it. Let them be the fire and one day, there will be nothing left to burn. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. The greatest commandments : love God with your whole self, love your neighbour as yourself. Did Jesus condemn homosexualituy? FMCUSA: the Free Methodist Church- USA, which ANC was affiliated with and financially sustained by since its inception You write a blog slamming evangelical Christians, and in that blog state if you disagree with someone you should approach them individually rather than publicly as in a blog. The Hatmakers' congregation, Austin New Church, ultimately transferred from the Free Methodist Church, an evangelical denomination, to the United Methodist Church. This nonsensical complaining of yours is unbecoming. The couple founded the Austin, Texas, based church along with Legacy Collective, a community foundation aiming to find sustainable housing, prevent child trafficking and provide health care. Fri, Mar 10 . Ive spoken personally to Brian McLaren about the searing pain of rejection he felt when ejected from the fold. stop doing it. Lets treat evangelical as a label controlled by individuals, not as a measure of fidelity. April 14: JH publishes blog describing her personal emotional results of interview, maligning the Christian Machine for criticizing her. Truth is truth, however, and it is offensive. But if I did people like Joel Olsteen would have much shorter careers, and pasters wouldnt be worried about filling pews. If you dont know where get a commentary or a Bible thst has an index of where versus are. Step back and have some one on one time with God because.let he who has no sin cast the first stone and when people do this and run her down you are TURNING PEOPLE AWAY FROM GOD!!! But my questions remain. Brandon is a former pastor of Austin New Church (located in Austin, Texas, USA). According to James 1:27, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.. However, one thing Jesus never did was condone their sin. Paul himself did not break up his letters into chapters and verses. As someone mentioned earlier, child sexual abuse is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. Im so sorry you were harassed and abused. Accept them or move toward something else, but do not post an article in which you compare nasty articles and comments written about you online to Good Friday. That is, as one man and one woman? States Being informed invites the Spirit to lead, reduces our defensiveness, and gives us the confidence to love better. However, most respectful Facebook comments arguing for traditional viewpoints are deleted. What good is it?! For the gossip its the same. And if they give you an unsatisfactory answer, do you disfellowship them or consider them apostate? But, please tell me, where did Jesus call it a sin ? Jesus calls us to speak the Truth in LOVE (not in bloodthirsty fury). If it is sin, theological self-justification is an affront to the cross. Love. This is a core gospel issue. Just playin devils advocate here a bit, but when we say Jesus didnt speak to homosexuality, are we seriously suggesting he didnt comment on sexuality itself as it stood in the Scriptural tradition? Youre all false teachers. Im not arrogant-Im just trying to be obedient. This story is similar in human history bully and stifle and corner disparate voices, rewrite the narrative to fit your position. This blog post is corrective, but it is not hateful. However, if you are saying that it is sin, but teaching theological self-justification is not false doctrine, its being double-minded. ANC: Austin New Church, Hatmakers' church in Austin FMCUSA: the Free Methodist Church- USA, which ANC was affiliated with and financially sustained by since its inception JH: Jen Hatmaker, member of Austin New Church (ANC), occasional preacher, no official leadership position stated BH: Brandon Hatmaker, founding pastor and elder at ANC Look at this in context: Have you not read that He Who made them in the first place made them man and woman? His Identity Jesus seems unwavering on what marriage is for life, one man, one woman, one flesh. The 04 Center is a community space in the truest sense of the word. Maybe pull your head out of your ass and realize that God would rather see people happy than have a tenth of the population relegated to loneliness and eventual rebellion against God. Perhaps it is partly because you spend your Christian celebrity capital to gripe about online comments. Shes a heretic! What a obnoxious way to be. Great question KB. The Gospel is good news but it cuts us all of us to the core. I believe the scriptures provide much more grace for a needy sinner including homosexuals. I think its important, when considering Matt 18s instruction, to keep in mind how Jesus treated gentiles and tax collectors. I couldnt take it any longer and chose to resign. But with grace and love and patience and forbearance and all the fruit of the spirit all is the arsenal of the believer. Not only are they repudiating her views on various issues (especially on same-sex marriage), but theyre even attacking her for daring to express the pain that all this criticism is causing her. Furthermore, if your kids didnt believe that, would you be deeply disturbed or kick them out of the house? Mr. In my email exchange with Jared I got to see the human side of how that feels. Yours is the only comment on this blog that makes any sense to me. It is sad. A public figure often needs to be called publicly. January 14, 2008 05:00 AM. Jen Hatmaker, is NOT a victim, maybe she is a victim of poor theology and hermeneutics. Im so sick of the whole Christian hippie thing. Im being more outspoken on this forum, but where I live I am highly criticized for spending most my time with unbelievers and showing them grace and even going into dark places. But we have GRACE. I dont think so. It is such a shame that a church that meant so much to so many can be destroyed so easily by arrogance. Austin Miniatures Western Church Wild West Cowboys Conte Compatible Marx TSSD. Mike are you saying the nature and the tone of the criticisms are what you object to? Have you ever held a rattlesnake or chugged a bottle of Clorox? It is never correct to say any sin is okay. This surely is something many evangelicals would agree with. It should NOT be saying sin is A-OK. the spirit of the world is dark, indeed. And with all due respect, wouldnt your theology investigation be better invested on this very important matter of salvation (affecting 100% of humanity) instead of the issue of homosexuality (affecting 3-5% of humanity)? If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. It is a gospel issue. Grace is just as available to her in Christ as it always was, and any believer whose heart HAS in fact been transformed by the love of Jesus and the work of Holy Spirit longs for her to be grounded in truth and to be reconciled. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent the official views of Morling College or its affiliates and partners. All. Its the brutality of unhealthy religion. Uh-oh, it looks like its Jen Hatmakers turn. People forget about Jesus chasing people with a whip. JM has stated from the pulpit that JH is his boss. http://www.sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/. Now we all sin, its truee, and we should be inclusive. Frankly, I cant believe we even are having a conversation about this. Whether you're an old member or visiting for the first time we want you to know you that ALL are welcome at the Congregational Church of Austin. So many people do want to be christians because so ofter christians are brutal to one another. One might postulate that a concerted, tactical, and very well-planned effort has been made within ANC since late Oct 16 to conform the church and its elders and teachers and official doctrinal positions to with JHs public positions, not the other way around. Not worth attempting to reason with. All of us know in our soul when somethings wrong. His standard is PERFECTION. This is a sobering appeal and I pray that yes, this discourse does save life and redeem souls from death. People like this peddle a watered down (at best) version of Gods word. 15 If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. It isnt love to just not disagree with someone. Mark 10:6-9 NKJV TAKE INITIATIVE. Im both cheered by this article while remaining concerned that we Christians (I dont call myself Evangelical anymore since Trump) arent very deep about our understanding of sexuality and many related topics. Ah, yes. Were elders allowed to fulfill their roles as decision makers for ANC as outlined in Acts 15:1-2, or were those who disagreed with the change in position asked or encouraged to leave? But the feeding frenzy around Jen Hatmaker isnt that. But I know that God is on His throne and showing us the true Kingdom at hand, and it doesnt look like what we thought it would. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Austin Miniatures Western Hotel Saloon 2 story Wild West Cowboys Conte Marx TSSD at the best online prices at eBay! What churches could learn from the Pub Choir phenomenon, Breaking Up the Family in the Pursuit of Uniformity, The Micro-Shift That Could Be a Gear Changer for Your Church, Women in Ministry Megalist - Women's Role in the Church Resources, Wise Words Wednesday: The Brutality of Unhealthy Religion | GAP COMMUNITY, Being chiefly concerned with things to avoid, Measuring quantities (of giving/serving/attending etc.). NO sin is okay with God, from the way you lust in your mind about someone walking by you down the street or when you utter even the smallest curse against someone in your mind (Jesus said those crimes are adultery and murder, respectively). Not someones opinion who, based on the limited comments on this post, appear to be more than a little arrogant. It seems to me there is room to fairly critique both speaker and listener here. We cant offer the grace of Christ with a lie attached. That includes naming the ones doing the teaching. Not a single Christian thinks that a repentant sinner should be excluded from the Grace of God that is a strawman argument created by less-than-honest people with an agenda. Actually it is addressed in much of scripture. They need to ask forgiveness and repent like all sinners need too do. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? The bible says that if your brother (or sister) has wronged you, you should talk to them first. But I could on and on and on with everyone here who says different and all I can do is just respond that you have to answer to God someday just like we all have to over whatever in our life. Youre right, Spencer, in my opinion. It was dying out in the early church, but still happened. They have also founded the Austin New Church in Austin, Texas along with Legacy Collective, a community foundation aiming to find sustainable housing, prevent child trafficking and provide health care, among other options. Communion Service and Homeless Community Grillout (Music by Miranda Dodson. 5/22/22 ANC 5-22-2022 Sunday Live Service ANC 5-22-2022 Sunday Live Service. How do we go about that privately if the person does not respond to you? Youre at church to get help for any kind of sin not just this one, not to have it smiled upon so that no one will be offended. And Im not sure what youre getting at in regard to child abuse. 2701 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 . Is one sin worse than another? That doesnt mean that it isnt a sin when you take the entire Bible into consideration. Never about homosexuality. My PCA friends love John Calvin, Martin Luther, et al. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner not even to eat with such a person. If she is teaching this heresy publicly, calling her out publicly is not only appropriate but necessary. By the way, Mathew 19:12 isnt referring to sexual orientation other than w/regards to the one reference about one having been deformed (for lack of a better word) at birth and therefore not able to complete his duties (so to say) in marriage but of course there were those in that time who were castrated and then the other reference meaning those who can lead a chaste life not because you sin if you decide to marry but those who are born with an inclination to be able to lead a chaste life and can be more centered in devoting ones life to Christ without the responsibilities of marriage.