any doubt about a decision I must make , or I am unsure of , then scripture with reason and tradition is the route for me to find a sound solution .
I freely acknowledge that there are denominational differences between my fellow ministers ; however , from Orthodox , and Roman Catholic , to Reformed / conservative church leaders we all agree that Jesus died for sin and rose again , because we can find the evidence in scripture .
I have been re-reading texts on human sexuality recently because I was aware of the discussions and the vote about to happen at General Synod this year .
Also it is incumbent up on all who teach and minister to ( try ) keep up to date with important issues and perspectives within the theological world discussions .
I have prayed and reflected about my own belief that Same Sex Marriage challenges the authority of scripture , and I was prepared to change my view if I found anything within my research that persuaded me that the biblical teaching on marriage can be other than between one man and one woman ; I found nothing of theological substance that would change my mind .
I am not closed to the possibility that there may be a point in time that I am proved wrong , and I am still very keen to learn from anyone who disagrees with me ( about most things ). I do not need anyone to agree with my viewpoint ; and you do not need to choose sides .
Now I want to make it VERY CLEAR that I have absolutely no condemnation of people who are LGBT and I will never judge or turn away from anyone who identifies as gay , neither do I mean that some humans are more righteous or sinful than others ; I along with all humanity am saved by grace and will always be in need of God ’ s restoring love .
I am a pastoral priest and any person seeking or in need of ministry from me will receive it with the same love that Christ showed to all and without judgement ; every person is welcomed in the St Oswald ’ s family and new comers are encouraged to be baptised and to receive communion in their own time frame ; but I will not hide away my beliefs and my teaching will always reflect both radical forgiveness and radical hospitality .
I am honoured to be a priest within the SEC it is a church with much to offer ; it is not my wish to break away from my brothers and sisters who may hold different views to me , and it is certainly not my wish that any discussion about this subject be overheard out on the streets of our communities by people who may not understand the full details and therefore might wrongly think that the SEC is fighting amongst itself .
We are all in a good disagreement
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