August 2022

Re: Fresh Streams leadership statement following summer theology school 

Well done to Fresh Streams for showing us all the way forward on the issue human sexuality. They have engaged in a genuine process of open listening and their final 5 points should be the model for Baptists as we seek to navigate this issue in the future.

Sadly this issue is likely to polarise our family, as it has other denominations. Attempts to ignore, circumnavigate and rewrite the Declaration of Principle that binds us together will lead to a splinter of churches.

But these five points are throughly Baptist and firmly inline with the DOP and they should be adopted by Baptist Together as the pathway forward.
The Revd Michael Shaw, Devonport Community Baptist Church 

Thank you to all who contributed to this constructive and eirenic statement. Ephesians 4:1 comes to mind. ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’ 
Michael Bochenski (via Facebook)

Is this unity or being colonised by culture, just today a church leader on holiday from London was in our Church Cafe and one of his questions to me was , are we a bible believing Baptist church?
Ian Savory (via Facebook)

I am more hopeful having read these statements.
Statement 3 is clear and unambiguous.
You can really sense the heart behind this statement as you read it.
Glen Graham (via Facebook)

Thankyou so much for sharing this. It is powerfull. We need to ensure that our LGBTQIA siblings see the sorry statement. At Black Pride this year Oasis is relaunching our sorry campaign. Our Baptist congregations need to be clear in where they stand. So that our LGBTQIA siblings know and can make an informed decision.
Dave Moreton (via Facebook)

Love this. Appreciate the teams leadership and example on this!
Jonathan Fillis (via Facebook)

I didn't attend the event, but I am so encouraged by this humble and courageous statement from the Fresh Streams network, which I'm pleased to be a part of. I love the way that it has created space for listening to, and seeking to understand, those with different views about human sexuality. Too much of the current debate within our Baptist family seems to be focused on talking 'at' others, rather than pursuing a real conversation.

When this happens positions become more deeply entrenched, and those with other perspectives become our enemy, rather than our brother or sister in Christ. How can we be engaged in Christ's ministry of reconciliation in an increasingly polarised world if we are unwilling to model it in the church? Well done to Fresh Streams for demonstrating maturity and Christlikeness. My feeling is that the majority of us in the Baptist family would like to be part of a movement that is able to hold difference with such love and grace...
Simon Goddard (via Facebook)