Hello and good morning Portland Church of Christ.
Many of you may have already heard either while attending our Sunday service or while looking at the recording of the service that on Wednesday, October 19th there was a meeting held with members of the ICOC Elders Service Committee and the Portland leadership team to inform us that a decision had been made to remove the Portland church from their list of churches. The reason that was given for this is that they have concluded that Complementarianism will be taught and practiced in the ICOC, their fellowship of cooperating churches.
The Portland church practices Mutuality, a gift-based rather than gender-based belief of service and leadership not complementarianism. As you know, we have taught and practiced the belief that women and men can indiscriminately preach, teach, lead, or serve based on gifts - ability and willingness - rather than gender. The Elders Service Committee told us they feel that our presence as part of the ICOC is a stumbling block to some and is interfering with our ability to find a way to have unity without uniformity and perhaps this will help us to find a better way of fellowshipping with one another. It was clearly and kindly stated that their hope is that by removing us, relationships can improve, conversations can continue and be more productive.
They emphasized that they believe we are saved disciples, but not included in the cooperating family of churches (the ICOC) which they have now defined as exclusively teaching complementarianism. They do consider us to be in their restoration family of churches though. They said this is NOT a dis-fellowingshipping or marking of any kind, but has to do rather with unity in their organization- the cooperating churches. They were clear that Portland church members are welcome to fellowship at all ICOC events, such as: elder’s retreats, teen camp, campus and singles events, and all conferences. For our members there should be little to no change in daily life, events or relationships.
We look forward to many open-ended conversations filled with love and hope as we all continue to study and strive to grow in our understanding of Jesus’ dream for his church. Let us make it our goal to please Him.
— Portland Church Leadership