Reforming the Feminine ContentSo It Looks Like People Are Reading Our Posts…
I noticed that our blog has been linking to some “Mars Hill has dangerous theology” blogs. Previous this post, I don’t think I would of ever written about anything controversial, because of the fear of negative comments, fear of challenge and fear of rejection. But today as I write, I’m okay with all of that. The only thing that matters is this: Bringing glory to Jesus.
Women staying home issue: As a mother to be, I am looking forward to being home with my baby boy! If my husband is able to provide for our family without additional income from me, I believe that would be a huge blessing. Mars Hill does not command women to stay home with their kids and give up their dreams, but Jesus does command us to not idolize anything. What is easy to idolize? Power? A degree? Success? Marriage? A man? Your kids? Being a perfect stay at home mom? Natural child birth? How much weight breast feeding can help you lose?
So how do we bring glory to Jesus with this topic? If we are convicted that staying home with our children is a blessing and a command… sweet! If our husbands and ourselves are okay with working or going to school while we’re raising our children… sweet. Shouldn’t we support our brothers and sisters in Christ, whichever decision they make as long as it doesn’t violate scripture? And if there is idolatry going on, aren’t we commanded to talk about it and address it in love with scripture? If the Holy Spirit is convicting one of us that we are in sin, shouldn’t we listen while they share [with open ears], instead of immediately attacking each others’ theology?
We all have convictions, some the same and some different. Praise God for sending his Holy Spirit to live in us in our daily lives so we have the opportunity to worship Jesus - individually and together.
I’ve been convicted of sin: Previously, as a covenant member of Mars Hill Church, I allowed myself to be swayed in different directions of so called doctrine or dogma issues. But as I 100% agree and am in line with Mars Hill’s “closed hand” theology, (and as we go through the member renewal process,) I am 100% convicted to start supporting my church family.
Ladies that write for this blog: Thank you for putting your life in a place where others can see it. As we all continue this process of learning more about Jesus and how to be more like Him, I hope we can keep writing about our struggles with honesty.
May Jesus be glorified.
Candice,
Thank you for writing this. I think I probably saw one of the blogs you are referring to, which referenced one of the ReFem blog posts about this subject. The women wrote about how ’sad’ it is that Mars Hill doesn’t allow women to grow and reach their full potential, or something like that.
It is so easy to take things out of context, mix them with a bit of hearsay and one’s own prejudice, and come up with a mistaken conclusion. Maybe these same bloggers will see your post and be better informed.
Thanks for commenting, Dawn.
Yes, it’s always easy to take things out of context - and put it in a a light that makes ourselves look good and feel better. [I'm guilty of that.]
Although this blog is public to the world, it does reflect some of the women at our church, but it doesn’t speak for every woman that is a member.
I realized that a stay at home mother can write about her life, and the stay at home mothers will comment and respond to her. And it makes me rejoice that women can offer support to each other.
But it’s cool to think about how many different types of women we have at the church. The professional women, mothers with careers, single mothers, students, single women, ladies who have lost their husbands… If you go to the church and are wondering where these women are, community groups are a great place to get plugged in.
“You can visit _____ at the community group kiosk in the foyer…” -Pastor Bubba
Candice,
i feel like shouting “Preach It Sista’!”
thanks for your articulation of your heart.
Of course we’re reading.
Please keep writing.
please keep writing, and please keep writing about the SAHM issue. I am a SAHM. It’s so encouraging to hear other women’s voices who unapologetically discuss their choice and discuss how God can use it, how he can lead us to it and through it. this is such radical stuff in our culture right now. thank you.