VintageBrett.com

Women In Ministry: the Irving Bible Church Decision

My church is losing its mind, and I think I'm OK with it.

Here in the MetroPlex, there's a nice buzz brewing over Irving Bible Church's recent decision and statement concerning its stance on women and their role in ministry. Though the church originally released its statement in May this year, it was this Dallas Morning News article from last Saturday that has gotten things rolling, with a strong nudge from a series by Denton Bible Church pastor Tommy Nelson.

That and the fact that a woman, Jackie Roese, preached at Irving Bible Church (IBC) for the first time in its 40-year history this past Sunday, Aug. 24. 

What it's all led to personally is my own shifting in perspective on the issue, which I attempt to clarify in the paragraphs below. In summary, the Elder Board (which includes senior pastor Andy McQuitty) spent roughly 18 months tackling what is and has always been a heavily debated issue within Christianity, with opinions ranging from thinking women should have absolutely no involvement in corporate worship to giving women the head role as senior pastor. Their journey included intense scriptural study, reading through scholarly books that each supported different sides of the issue, guest presentations by supporters of different sides of the issue, and prayer. They've provided myriad resources here on the church's website. In summary, they came to this conclusive statement:

At IBC we recognize that God created both man and woman in His image, that He offers the same Holy Spirit to both men and women at salvation, and that the same spiritual gifts are available to both men and women for service. While the New Testament seems to imply that eldership is reserved for men, the elders of IBC affirm that women in all other roles are scripturally qualified, spiritually blessed, and directly called to use their spiritual gifts to build Christ’s Kingdom.

As a member of IBC, I've been challenged to work through my own beliefs regarding the topic of a woman's role in ministry. I'm still working through it, and my plan is to share my own discoveries here at VintageBrett.com over the next few weeks (maybe months). And I'm urging you to pitch in.

What I Hate About Obama

What I hate about Obama is . . . . nothing.

No, I don't agree with him on lots of issues. Yes, I find it hard to distinguish any substance in what he says. But I can't move myself to despise him, even though my conservative evangelical white southern Republican spirit beckons me to do so.

Did you watch his speech last night? You can't deny that it was moving. You can't deny that Barack's ability to speak clearly, concisely and movingly is an extreme breath of fresh air compared to fumbling, stumbling, bumbling in the White House over the past eight years. As my wife put it last night, as far as presentation goes, Obama is someone you can be proud to have as a president.

I do have issues with parts of his plan. Is "tax cuts for 95% of the population" code for "we're gonna stick it the rich" (which, according to his answer at the Warren Forum, falls somewhere betwen $150k and $250k)? And while healthcare for everybody sounds great, how are we going to pay for it, and who's going to actually offer the insurance (I can't think insurance companies are eager to offer already-sick patients first rate coverage).

But, I've got issues with the whole system, like we all do, and I have no idea how you fix it.

Barring some unforeseen, drastic debauchle between now and November 4, John McCain will be getting my vote. I don't think he'll win, but I am more comfortable with him leading us at this point in time if forced to choose between the two.

But when Barack wins, it won't be the end of my world. I can't muster up enough reason to demonize him. He'll be OK. I might not be crazy about him, but I can't say that I hate him.

Taming the Paparazzi Starts with Publishers

There's been recent buzz about the paparazzi and legislation to help control it here in the states, mostly sparked by recent hearings at LA City Council. John Mayer suggested marking cars and requiring passes, while LAPD Police Chief William Bratton cited that the paparazzi has died down a little since Lindsay Lohan has "gone gay." (Watch the video here)

The discussions are hovering over the rights of the photographers, but I don't think that's the issue at all. Especially since it's near impossible to determine what is a safe distance from which photographers must stay, and what types of pictures they can take.

The problem is with the magazines and tabloids. Punish the people who pay for these services, not the people who actually perform them.

I promise you, if I was offered $10k to get an up-close pic of Britney Spears, I would camp out and do just about everything we see the paparazzi doing today. I don't know how celebrities stay sane (wait . . . many of them don't) with the contstant flashing and yelling and chaos every time they walk out the door. That only multiplies when there's a celebrity baby involved.

Crack down on the media pimps, not the whores. Legislation dealing with photographers is just going to get muddied up in the details. Cap the amount of money pictures can be purchased for and force publishers to deal with what they've got.

Everything That Sucks About Country Music

There are so many things wrong with country music these days, but I think it's all summed up in this sorry video by Taylor Swift:

I've always thought country music sucked for the most part, but at least it was easily identifiable. Today, it's really just pop music for white people.

Gone are the days of boots and hats and twang. What's with the hooded sweatshirt here? Why is it that every female country singer these days is bitter about something? Hasn't Alanis Morrissette and Avril Lavigne already cornered this market?

Then, let's take a look at the band. Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than fiddle and a steel guitar to make a song country. I would be shocked if any of this guys know a single George Strait song.

Finally, this girl can't even sing. Enough said. 

Suffice it to say that country music exemplifies the worst of American culture: take something that can be good and pure (music) and commercialize it until there's not a single drop of soul left in it.