3.4 – How ACOP’s Beliefs Have Evolved

[Charla]

I would agree that gender identity may need to be addressed in the future. That might look like a revision to how the statement defining marriage is worded. But perhaps that topic is more appropriately addressed in the code of conduct required by ACOP or individual churches?

[ECO]

@smythc1 thanks for your comment. ACOP has written a white paper on human sexuality and probably needs to do the same on the subject of gender. The new course launching in April provides details about the white paper.

You are right about questions like these being handled at the local church level. See my comment above to Jenn.

[Jenn]

I personally would love to see an egalitarian view of gender represented in ACOP’s statement of faith and not have it left to individual churches.

[ECO]

@Jenn I think many people would like this, but as a fellowship, we respect each church’s ability to shape their statement of faith on “secondary issues.” I know in our culture that this doesn’t feel like a secondary issue, but that is how it is viewed currently. I expect it will become a more pressing issue in the near future, but I don’t say that with any insider knowledge or as an authoritative representative of ACOP, rather, I see it becoming a more pressing issue because of the growing social/cultural pressure and that ACOP ordains females and ACOP churches hire female pastors.

[Curtis]

Yes now as laws change in Canada the statement of faith will need to be updated in the future