On Mondays we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

Name – Rachel Sloan

Lives – Edinburgh

What is the title of your seminar at the Scottish Women’s Convention?

Gender

What is the seminar about?

This seminar will be an introduction to gender looking at the current cultural viewpoint and how we should think about this topic biblically.  It will also look at how we care for those who struggle with gender dysphoria.

Why is this area important?

In the past Christians living in Western culture have enjoyed the benefit of being in world which largely shared our assumptions on sexuality and gender.  We can no longer assume that is the case.  In the past 30 years there has been a fundamental shift in our culture’s view of sexuality and in recent years the traditional view of gender is changing. As a result, as believers, we can find ourselves increasingly in the minority and misunderstood.  So how should we respond to all this?  How should we respond to what we hear in the media but closer home in our communities, schools, families, and churches?  How should we relate to someone who is transitioning gender or has already transitioned?  

We don’t want to be Christian women who rage against the tide of a changing culture.  Nor do we don’t want to be so ill-equipped at talking about this issue that we remain silent.  Instead we want to go back to our Bibles and think carefully about what God is saying – holding up society’s views and, our own, to the truth-revealing mirror that is God’s word.  Only then can we be truly Biblical in our response and show the world around us a different view with love and grace.  

Who is the seminar for?

Anyone and everyone!  We all need to be confident and assured that what the Bible says on sexuality and gender is in fact good news.  Whether is it helping our children understand the different views they are hearing at high school or so we can love well a member of our congregation who struggles in this area, only when we believe the goodness of God’s word, will we be better equipped to share this truth with others.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

It was such a joy last year to see women from across Scotland come to together to learn from God’s word that I think I am looking forward to more of the same!