Um, that is not a "pastor" regardless of what she calls herself, but it is insane to disagree with her on this point. How could any Christian have a problem signing this? If you suspected murderer's might be on the choir, would people also balk at signing such a "bigoted" statement that said "murder is wrong"?
The liberals never cease to amaze me. Sins should be denounced, openly, regardless of the sin.
"Anti-g@y" is so over used. Apparently only way to avoid this "accusation" is to capitulate to every whit and whim of those who choose to pursue that life style.
I'd have no problem supporting this pastor. Particularly since we have a rather similar leadership covenant for all people who serve with our worship ministry. I'm rather pleasantly surprised that the Crystal Cathedral is putting something like this out.
Every single person who is involved in ministry at our church signs a ministry covenant.
If you disagree, you are welcome to continue attending the church but you are not to be in any of the ministries in any "position".
This includes Sunday School teachers/helpers, nursery workers, worship teams, tech team - even the custodian.
While I certainly don't agree with a woman "pastor", I agree with what I have read.
Does anyone know where I could see the contract/covenant as a whole?
First of all, she's not a pastor, as she doesn't meet the Biblical requirements to be a pastor.
Second, don't most churches expect their members to behave in a certain way? Isn't it implied in our salvation, our baptism, and our covenant with the church that we have agreed to behave in a certain way?
I mean, if you're born again, then you should behave that way as a natural result of the new nature you received but even is a church member is unregenerate (another topic for another thread), isn't it expected that he will at least try to behave?
I wonder what is so special about being a member of a church choir, as opposed to being a member of a church?
In other words, why was it that only church members who happened to be in the choir were asked to sign the covenant?
I agree but, in all fairness, choir members do have a higher level of visibility and, thus, a better chance of their behavior being seen as representative of the church.
Not sure that's really a great justification for it, but its the only one I can think of off the top of my head.
We got around this problem by not having a choir. In our case, it doesn't have anything to do with morality, but because we want all our singing to be congregational.
I don't understand. The earliest Baptist churches had just such covenants, and practiced stringent church discipline. If you are a Baptist (rather than liberal evangelical), you should have no problem signing such a document.
Remember that Crystal Cathedral is a part of the Reformed Church in America (what used to be called Dutch Reformed).
They are claiming that this practice is customary within the RCA.
It'll stay a hot-button issue for sure. In a society/community/nation where the pro-homos3xual media lobby demands absolute acceptance it will be something to watch and see.
As for Dr Schuler himself, I wouldnt put much hope in him backing anyone up with his pending fire sale to forestall total ministry liquidation.