How Should the Church Treat Gays?

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K

kaylagrl

Guest
#1
This would normally go in the news forum but I think the question needs to be asked,how should we as a church deal with gay people? The Bible is clear that it is 100% wrong,that being said how can we show compassion and lead people out of this bondage instead of closing the church doors in their faces and leaving them to satans hands?

This link is about a girl that came out to her Mormon church. I have several issues with it but it begs the question,what should the church do about gay congregants?

http://www.lex18.com/story/35740626/microphone-cut-after-mormon-girl-reveals-shes-gay-at-church
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#3
I think they should treat gays like any other sinner.
Could you expand on that? Do we allow them to show affection to one another in front of children? Do we tell them they are in sin and preach about it or do we ignore it and just let them attend service and hope they come to understand its sin?
 
R

renewed_hope

Guest
#4
I'd say just love on them and show them by our actions what the bible teaches. Many times they have no problem teaching what it says, it's following through that is the big problem.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
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#5
I think it should be preached as a sin just as it is. The same with adultery, fornication, and such the like. Sin is sin and needs to be addressed as such. God don't hate the sinner just the sin. People needs to know that God loves and cares about them regardless of what sin they have committed and he can deliver them if they turn it over to him.... They also need to know the truth about sin and what is a sin.

As with showing affection in church, I don't think anyone gay or strait should be showing any type of sexual or relationship type affection in a church setting.
 
Dec 19, 2009
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#6
This would normally go in the news forum but I think the question needs to be asked,how should we as a church deal with gay people? The Bible is clear that it is 100% wrong,that being said how can we show compassion and lead people out of this bondage instead of closing the church doors in their faces and leaving them to satans hands?

This link is about a girl that came out to her Mormon church. I have several issues with it but it begs the question,what should the church do about gay congregants?

http://www.lex18.com/story/35740626/microphone-cut-after-mormon-girl-reveals-shes-gay-at-church
Before a church can properly deal with this issue, they have to admit that homosexuality is a sin. A lot of churches refuse to do that.

However, once it is accepted that homosexuality is a sin, you want to avoid the hypocrisy of claiming that the sin of homosexuality is a worse sin than other forms of adulterous behavior.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,540
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#8
Practicing homosexuals should be put out of the church. See 1 Corinthians 5 when the practicing adulterer was commanded by Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to be put out of the Corinthian church. If they are not practicing, but want to repent, accept them, win them over to the Lord and let the Lord change them from within.
 
Apr 15, 2017
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#9
All sin is unrighteousness.

If gays cannot attend a certain Church,then why can the fornicator,and money grubber,and stealer,be there that the preacher knows about.

If the homosexual goes to a certain Church,and likes it,and does not push their ways on people,but there to hear the word of God,and to praise Jesus,but cannot believe that God is against homosexuality,and not at the Church making passes at people,then the Church should leave that person alone.

Because even if the homosexual does not believe God is against it,they sure know God is not against not being a homosexual,so they will not be going around the Church saying they are the right way alone.

All sin is unrighteousness,and there are many people that are living in sin they will not give up,and they go to Church without hassle.

If the Church did not allow people that held unto sin in to their Church,there would not be many that go to Church,including a lot of preachers.

We are at the end time with hypocrisy like never before,because they is more things that get people caught up in the flesh,and to enjoy flesh wise,money flowing like a raging river,material things spread far and wide,worldly entertainment extravaganza,and fleshy pleasures like never before,and children growing up with less morality than previous generations.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

God said there would be some to dishonor that go to a physical building Church,but if they get rid of their wrongful ways,then they will be a vessel unto honor.

But a hypocrite is one that does not act like Christ,and represent goodness,but a homosexual that does not think it is wrong to be homosexual,it would seem as if they could not be a hypocrite,although they are wrong and will be judged if they do not come to the realization that it is wrong.

But what can we do,for I do not think we can stop them from coming to Church,according to the Lord.

1Co 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

But then God says people like these put away from among yourselves,which means do not associate with them,but I believe that means in fellowship,and not the physical building Church where they are there for the purpose of worshipping God,and hearing the word of God,for there are some to dishonor,which God allows that as long as they do not stir up trouble within that setting,so obviously hypocrites can be at the physical building Church.

All sin is unrighteousness,and we are not to keep company with people that do not represent Christ,but the physical building Church is a setting for worshipping God,and prasing Jesus,which the ones abiding in the truth might not associate with them,but I do not think they can stop them from being there at Church,for it is the Lord's Church.

I am sure it does not mean they cannot go to a physical building Church,but the saints should not associate with them,but if they want to worship God,and praise Jesus,it is alright,for it is His Church,and He said there would be hypocrites in it,but it is still a great house,for hypocrites do nothing against the truth.

But of course a lot of homosexuals will not go to a Church that abides in the truth,but find a Church that is accepting of them.If the church preaches against homosexuality,how many homosexuals would want to go there.

If they do not want people that are engaged in sin to not be in their Church,the best solution to that is to preach what the Bible speaks against in the way of sin,and you will have less hypocrites there.

That is why you find in Churches that preach against sin,preaching holiness,and conducting themselves like Christ,will have way less hypocrites than a Church that does not preach that,but preaches they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,for they might all be hypocritical.

For I have associated with those that preach holiness,and those that say sin does not affect their relationship with God,and there is a difference that you can see and hear,in how they conduct themselves.
 

Desertsrose

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2016
2,824
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#10
Hi Kayla,


It's a great OP. I think we're going to see more and more of this.


So we need to know what God thinks about all of this so that we'll be prepared and know what to do in any given situation.


With this girls testimony, she's saying that in the same way her heavenly parents (many gods) gave her freckles, they also made her gay. God loves her just the way she is so there's nothing wrong with being gay.


It's that same old cliche........if it feels good, do it, which came straight from the mouth of God's adversary and our enemy.


When someone is truly seeking God and His truth, it won't sound like what this girl was proclaiming to her church. It was more like, here's what I believe and so it's truth for everyone and just accept it.


Someone seeking God is humble and will admit that they don't know all the answers pertaining to life. They'll be asking questions, seeking truth to find the meaning of life. Why am I here? Is there a God? Do I matter? Where am I headed? Is there an afterlife?


Savannah has all the answers and proclaims them as truth. She's not seeking, she's proclaiming. Some day in the future she may begin to seek, but right now she's being used as a tool for the enemy.


Let's say there was a young person in church that was proclaiming that free sex is fine, there's nothing wrong with fornication. God made her this way like He made the freckles on her face and there's nothing wrong with sex before marriage so accept me this way. What does the bible say about handling this?


The leaders would need to speak with the parents and the girl who is proclaiming this lifestyle is A-OK with God. If the parents of the girl are supportive of her, they all need to be counseled in the truth of God's word. If they reject it, they need to be disfellowshipped from the church. They need to know they're loved and would be welcomed back if at some time in the future they repent. Church discipline is always for the purpose of reconciliation to restore their relationship with God and with one another.
 

Huckleberry

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
1,698
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#11
A church that doesn't strongly rebuke all sin will be
a magnet to degenerates, especially homosexuals.
These churches can be identified easily upon entrance.
There's usually a rock band set-up on the altar, and the congregants
look like they are dressed more for a night out at the bar than church.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of these churches,
and the Bible has a strong warning to them.
See "church in Pergamos".
 
Jun 21, 2017
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#12
This would normally go in the news forum but I think the question needs to be asked,how should we as a church deal with gay people? The Bible is clear that it is 100% wrong,that being said how can we show compassion and lead people out of this bondage instead of closing the church doors in their faces and leaving them to satans hands?

This link is about a girl that came out to her Mormon church. I have several issues with it but it begs the question,what should the church do about gay congregants?

http://www.lex18.com/story/35740626/microphone-cut-after-mormon-girl-reveals-shes-gay-at-church
I personally have struggled with this issue all my life. First off, being a believer of Jesus Christ from a young age I can tell you how horribly it affected me hearing my pastor say that being gay is an abomination. Or really the act of man laying with man and woman laying with woman, which is the abomination itself. But hearing that, horribly affected my relationship with God, I mean in my head I thought: "oh he hates me, but all of these other sinners, he loves and forgives." Plus, I was always taught church is for the sinner, which just messed me up even more. To this day, I don't go to church because I'm scared I'm going to walk in and everyone is going to know I struggle with same sex attraction, and their all going to throw bible verses at me and act as if they have never ever sinned. Why would anyone ever choose to be hated by god or want to willingly be an abomination?
If we could imagine for a moment God preaching his word at a church, and he sees me coming and because he's God he already knows everything about me, do you think he would tell me, please don't come in I don't want you to hear my word, it just might keep you from getting saved, from being changed, from being transformed???
If God doesn't turn anyone away and I'm supposed to go to church so God can really truly help me work out my problems. Why is there any church in the world that doesn't allow gay people in? And also, it needs to be taught to all sinners everywhere not just gay people, that God wants us to control our emotions and feelings, which is pretty much why he wants us to live through him.
 
May 13, 2017
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#13
This would normally go in the news forum but I think the question needs to be asked,how should we as a church deal with gay people? The Bible is clear that it is 100% wrong,that being said how can we show compassion and lead people out of this bondage instead of closing the church doors in their faces and leaving them to satans hands?

This link is about a girl that came out to her Mormon church. I have several issues with it but it begs the question,what should the church do about gay congregants?

http://www.lex18.com/story/35740626/microphone-cut-after-mormon-girl-reveals-shes-gay-at-church
Christians need to treat gays just like Jesus does...With love and respect and honesty.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#14
Christians just need to be Christians. Sodomites will decide for themselves what they are going to do. It is the word of God and the Holy Spirit that will deal with them in ways that no Christian is able.

We witness to the world what Christ has done for us. We do not witness to put others out.

Having said that please do not put the Sodomite into leadership positions in the church. Sitting in the pews is one thing but teaching or ministering to the body is another thing altogether.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Gabriel2020

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
1,099
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#15
Yes, I agree , like the woman adultress that was about to be stoned. Sure at that time none was without sin because none at that time had not believed in Jesus to be saved. before that happened, he had to lay the foundation by preaching and teaching before any could be saved, yes, they had to hear the word, the gospel from heaven first. He told her, where are your accusers, and then he told her to go ,AND SIN NO MORE. You cannot treat sin today like it was before Jesus came,because they had not known the truth yet. All that was saved after Jesus left became righteous,and the gospel was opposed to those that walked in darkness., and preached against sin also. You can't pretend and look the other way as if there is no sin in the world, if you are one of these people, the you make the gospel lose it's strength. We don't condemn,because if we did, no abomination would exist because we would rid the world of them, but instead, we preach against such things as Jesus have told us to do.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
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#16
I personally have struggled with this issue all my life. First off, being a believer of Jesus Christ from a young age I can tell you how horribly it affected me hearing my pastor say that being gay is an abomination. Or really the act of man laying with man and woman laying with woman, which is the abomination itself. But hearing that, horribly affected my relationship with God, I mean in my head I thought: "oh he hates me, but all of these other sinners, he loves and forgives." Plus, I was always taught church is for the sinner, which just messed me up even more. To this day, I don't go to church because I'm scared I'm going to walk in and everyone is going to know I struggle with same sex attraction, and their all going to throw bible verses at me and act as if they have never ever sinned. Why would anyone ever choose to be hated by god or want to willingly be an abomination?
If we could imagine for a moment God preaching his word at a church, and he sees me coming and because he's God he already knows everything about me, do you think he would tell me, please don't come in I don't want you to hear my word, it just might keep you from getting saved, from being changed, from being transformed???
If God doesn't turn anyone away and I'm supposed to go to church so God can really truly help me work out my problems. Why is there any church in the world that doesn't allow gay people in? And also, it needs to be taught to all sinners everywhere not just gay people, that God wants us to control our emotions and feelings, which is pretty much why he wants us to live through him.
I totally get what you’re saying. I have never struggled with homosexuality in my life, but I have committed other sins and struggled with sin in my life. I think most everyone has struggled with some type of sin in their lives and that is why the church should be compassionate to others. Preach the true word and let it go at that. Sometimes when we sin the Word of God itself hurts our feelings…I know I’ve been there before, but the word of God is not to be repented of. Godly sorrow works repentance.

But I don’t think anyone should be throwing their own opinions in and hurting other and kicking them out of church if someone is just there to listen and hear the Word of God. I think it depends on the attitude of the person in attendance.

I don’t want anyone patting me on the back and telling me that something isn’t a sin if it is in fact a sin. I want to know the truth. It’s my choice whether to attend a church or not…So if they are preaching the Word of God and it convicts me of a sin…I can’t get my feelings hurt and say they are just picking on me or worse yet have an in your face type attitude. You know, I’m going to keep on sinning and I don’t care what the Word of God says and you have to accept me….

So, wow, I just wrote all of that to pretty much say all sin should be treated the same…If I walked in a church saying the heck with the Word of God, I’m an adulterer and y’all need to accept me because I was born that way, I am never going to change, and I don’t think it is a sin…They should try to teach me with love out of the Word of God, but if I keep challenging the word of God then they should probably put me out of the church...for my own good…just saying
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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#17
Christians need to treat gays just like Jesus does...With love and respect and honesty.
Scripture is pretty clear.

1 Corinthians 5
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
 
May 13, 2017
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#18
Scripture is pretty clear.

1 Corinthians 5
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
So you're taking the question as How do we treat gays within the church? Ok..this scripture fits. I felt that the OP was asking about unsaved gays..In which case the verse would not fit.
 
J

joefizz

Guest
#19
this is very simple to answer,allow quote "Gay" people to come to church for "God is long suffering that all shall be led to repentance"but only if they are willing to "hear" and "learn" God's word,because if not then it only serves as a way to let in rebellion and confusion into the church,for many quote "Gay" people are proud of how they have become,don't see anything wrong with their lifestyle choice,or they even claim God made them quote "Gay" which having such people whether quote "Gay" or not eventually if not immediately leads to having a nay sayer who just wants to be in church to find someway to justify their actions,take over,or believe that they can do for God while living a life that is opposite to what God would have us be,and as I said this isn't just limited to any one type of sinner or iniquity lover,there are people who only care for talking about themselves alongside their past,agitating others or even disturbing an entire service so that they can talk about their woes unending(had this happen at my church,the person persisted many times,and though they were a loving relative there was no choice but to have them leave til they took their medication or at least calmed down,sadly so far no change) so there in lies the problem if those who come to church are not there for the reason of"hearing" God's word or "learning" God's word then it only leads to "chaos" and remember God would not tolerate this so nor should we,as paul put it"God is the God of peace not confusion"so yes you should always show compassion to "All" people yet you must be aware of and be ready to counter the snares of the lost and wicked!
 

Socreta93

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2015
2,244
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#20
There is a difference between welcoming a gay person to church and welcoming the lifestyle. Shouldn't we try to to bring as many people to Christ as possible. If we reject such people then all that person will see is hatred and thus we are no different than the rest of the world. Treat them with love as the human that they are but also let them know their lifestyle is not of God. Is then up to them to decide whether they want to follow him or not.