Homosexuals attending church

[jogoldie]

I QUOTE=jjtj22;1555364]Thank you so much to all who have replied. I asked for your opinions, thank you for taking the time to answer.

Not sure where people are hearing me say "kick all the homos out of church". I have reread my posts several times and I don't see it, maybe it is because I know I am not coming from that p.o.v.

Also, if you are going to exhort me to be loving, it makes your point more poignant if you deliver it in a loving manner. Just sayin.[/QUOTE]

I want to appoligize for coming across in a negative way....that was not my intention...which is one of the reasons
i usually dont comment on these type of questions...its so easy to get on that soap box..your my sister and I never want to offend...I certainly didnt think
You meant that in a radical way...your question was valid and you are in a rock and a hard place....this isnt an easy situation ..
you also have to think of the children....all very sensitive......know I am praying for you and Im sure God
will guide you........peace and joy. Jo

 

[ronnie2796]

Friends,..do not attack her.
She is in no way judging them, or hating them. She is simply worried about how it might appear to the ones who could be influenced.
The goal is to love them, and make them feel welcome,..while making it clear that the sin they are indulging in isn't welcome.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[jjtj22]

No offense taken at all. I have thick skin when it comes to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would hate to think my last comment would keep you from commenting further. I really do need the opinions and thoughts of those filled with The Holy Spirit.

Again thank you for taking the time to reply and attempt to shed some light on a confusing situation.

God bless!

 

[PennEd]

​There is a couple at my church, in their sixties, they have been married about 7 years she was a widow and his wife left him many many years ago. The husband is our worship leader, the wife teaches adult bible studies. They are great people, true Christ followers. The husband had 3 sons, one passed away of cancer at age 40 leaving no children, one son has two children out of wedlock is seperated fom the children's mother and does not live the Christian walk. The middle son is the one I have a question about, he is homosexual, and him and his boyfriend have started to attend our adult Sunday school class and church. How should I respond? It is like a big pink (or rainbow) elephant in the room. How do I address that level of unrepentant sin among our church? Is it my place to address vs the pastor or elders? My biggest concern how do you love the person vs letting the children and young people of the church think the sin is condoned?


I do know the scriptures speaking on homosexuality and the stance the Bible takes on it but I do believe this is a delicate matter. Does anyone else deal with unrepentant sinners in their church? I will continue to pray on this issue and any prayers from y'all would be greatly appreciated!

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. How do you know they are homosexuals? Are they displaying any public displays of affection in your class? Have you had a study yet that deals with the sin of homosexuality, and if so, what is their beliefs on the subject? Did the father tell you he was a homosexual, and if so, what is HIS position on it?

Since we are all sinners, and probably went to Church many times in our beginning while still committing unrepentant sins, I believe as long as they are given the truth about their need of repentance, and AREN'T displaying physical affection while in Church or study, similar to allowing an unrepentant drunk to take shots during Church or study, then let them stay and hear the truth and pray that the Holy Spirit will convict their heart and they repent.

 

[ronnie2796]

Right! That's exactly what I meant,..Certain behavior shouldn't be allowed,..and beyond that they should be allowed to stay as long as they are there for the truth, and not trying to negatively influence others.
You kind of put that in a better way than I did, PennEd.

 

[jjtj22]

I live in a small town everyone knows everyone's dirt. My mother talks to the grandmother stuff.

Back story: The mother I told you about left the father (the elder) to live a homosexual lifestyle. All the children stayed with the father except this son, he lived with the mother. This man is openly gay with his boyfriend, holding hands and placing his arm around his boyfriend. To be perfectly honest I like the guys, they have given me no reason not to. Loving them or any other gay members of my community is a non issue for me.

My main concern is that this sin be viewed as acceptable to the youth and children. It is also a sin that seems to grow under exposure to it, your example of drunkenness is the same way. It feels a little wrong to just love them and ignore the blatant sin which is why I brought the question to CC as I know sometimes feelings are deceitful.

 

[santuzza]

If they are displaying their affections for each other in the church, then an elder or pastor in the church needs to speak with them. That is not acceptable. The elder/pastor should obviously communicate that they are more than welcome to come and learn, etc., but PDAs are not allowed.

 

[J-Kay-2]

I'm sorry but I have to agree, who are you to judge someone when you're not all that perfect either? Apparently, is church supposed to be for the perfect people that don't fall under temptation everyday? There's a line for tolerance as far as whether or not you agree or disagree with the lifestyle and it can be brought out that it's not acceptable, but to have people kicked out because of it is like casting a stone at them... I'm pretty sure we all know the story this is referred to on that.

But then it's wondered why homosexuals think that even if they wanted to give it a chance, the religious have to kick them around and therefore they have a whole different view on them. That's why many get drawn away. At the end of the day do what you want, but remember that you weren't exactly a perfect person when you attended church either. They obviously came for a reason.

She is not judging them. Read her original thread. She is asking how to deal
with the issue. She didn't say she wants them thrown out, but how do deal
with it. The answer is go to the leaders and let the Pastor make the decision.
She has agreed she will continue teaching them, and leave it up to leadership.
The news to me is the fact it is an elders son, and my advice to go to elders,
was before I knew that. So it appears the Pastor should be the one she would
want to share her concerns with.

We don't judge her for questioning. She is getting advice. Go easy on her, ok?
She said herself she knows she is a sinner, aren't we all ? But we have given
our life over to Christ and had our sins forgiven. We know the Word says that
lifestyle is SIN.... We are told if we don't tell our brother he is living in sin, his
blood is on our hands... This is not judging.... it is saving a soul from a burning
hell of fire. One day we all will give account. We can only pray we have lived
our life pleasing to our Lord Jesus and not bring disgrace to the His name.

 

[sosad]

I think that Jesus showed he loved everyone and came to save all of us. Remember the woman dragged by the Pharisees to
Jesus for adultery and he asked them who was without sin? I think you should try to stay true, but the we are to go out in the world and share the gospel of grace. My son just died, and he was a homosexual. A totally unknown woman to me came to my home to tell me how the holy spirit sent her to my home to tell me that her son and my son were together in heaven. Of course there is more to it than what I am simply stating here. Best, sosad

 

[jjtj22]

Thank you, JKay, you really get the place I am coming from.

To everyone who has responded or will, I am not hurt or angry by your comments. This issue is so highly controversial it is to be expected that emotions may run high. Truthfully, I want to hear different perspectives so I can prayerfully make a balanced decision on what to do or say or if I should do or say nothing. My comment in post# 20 was simply because I didn't feel as though my position was being completely understood.

One day we all will give account. We can only pray we have lived
our life pleasing to our Lord Jesus and not bring disgrace to the His name.

Amen! May it be so!

 

[Mammachickadee]

​There is a couple at my church, in their sixties, they have been married about 7 years she was a widow and his wife left him many many years ago. The husband is our worship leader, the wife teaches adult bible studies. They are great people, true Christ followers. The husband had 3 sons, one passed away of cancer at age 40 leaving no children, one son has two children out of wedlock is seperated fom the children's mother and does not live the Christian walk. The middle son is the one I have a question about, he is homosexual, and him and his boyfriend have started to attend our adult Sunday school class and church. How should I respond? It is like a big pink (or rainbow) elephant in the room. How do I address that level of unrepentant sin among our church? Is it my place to address vs the pastor or elders? My biggest concern how do you love the person vs letting the children and young people of the church think the sin is condoned?


I do know the scriptures speaking on homosexuality and the stance the Bible takes on it but I do believe this is a delicate matter. Does anyone else deal with unrepentant sinners in their church? I will continue to pray on this issue and any prayers from y'all would be greatly appreciated!

Christians who refuse to welcome sinners into the church are a dime a dozen. Be a true child of Christ's love and show them an openness to their attending. Create a trust and put work into shepherding them just as Christ would have done. Homosexuality is a perversion, and God will show them.

 

[maxwel]

Letting sinners into the church to hear the gospel...
that's something we should always do.

But letting sinners into the church to flaunt their sin,
or just play games, or be disrespectful on purpose... that's another matter.

It all depends on why they're really there, and how they act once they get there.


As someone said previously, once they accept Christ, then different rules apply.
There is an expectation, and a necessity, that they repent of certain things.
If they don't repent, and they continue in sin, the bible says they're to be removed from the congregation.

We are to be compassionate... but compassionate doesn't mean stupid.

 

[jjtj22]

I think that Jesus showed he loved everyone and came to save all of us. Remember the woman dragged by the Pharisees to
Jesus for adultery and he asked them who was without sin? I think you should try to stay true, but the we are to go out in the world and share the gospel of grace. My son just died, and he was a homosexual. A totally unknown woman to me came to my home to tell me how the holy spirit sent her to my home to tell me that her son and my son were together in heaven. Of course there is more to it than what I am simply stating here. Best, sosad

I am so sorry for your loss. Such inadequate words to express what I feel for what you are going through.

Gracious Father,
I ask for Your peace in the midst of her tears, console her broken heart with Your awesome love. Surround her with family and friends to love her through this tough time. There is none greater then You, Your understanding is infinite. Lead us in wisdom and compassion to be light in a hurting world.
In Jesus holy name, Amen.

 

[J-Kay-2]

I think that Jesus showed he loved everyone and came to save all of us. Remember the woman dragged by the Pharisees to
Jesus for adultery and he asked them who was without sin? I think you should try to stay true, but the we are to go out in the world and share the gospel of grace. My son just died, and he was a homosexual. A totally unknown woman to me came to my home to tell me how the holy spirit sent her to my home to tell me that her son and my son were together in heaven. Of course there is more to it than what I am simply stating here. Best, sosad

Dear SoSad : I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I know what grief is because
I lost a daughter at age 45, then her son died one year later at age 22. I know the
grief is still fresh with you and it will take time to ever feel half way normal.

My daughter was a 'wayward' adult child. I won't go into all the details but she
did die from lethal alcohol and hypothermia. That tells you she had issues that
would be questionable. She was living with a man and I don't know if it was for
sex, so much as needing a place to live. He is a transvestite. I recall her comments
that I can't repeat here, but she was not happy with that situation. Again, it is
too much to get into here. Actually I was not uncomfortable being around him.
But I never really saw him as what he did.

I tell you this to say I understand you what you are feeling right now. I shared
earlier I had a cousin I loved very much who was homosexual also. And he knew
all about Jesus. He even played Jesus in the play "Jesus Christ Superstar." in his
Sr. year. I was visiting him not long after that at his parents home, and I had no
idea he went in the direction of homosexuality. I said to him, "It must have been
awesome to play the role of Jesus." he agreed it was, but not with the joy one
would expect. Later in years we got to reconnect, by this time I was pretty
sure he was living the lifestyle, and I did not feel any different about him than I
did when I knew him as straight. Okay fast forward to his last years and we
were communicating via snail mail. He told me in a letter that my comment
stuck with him all those years. I do know he was still living with his boyfriend
at the time of his death, because I heard the guy flew his body home from CA.
I never told him he was sinning. I guess I did not want to hurt his feelings.
I prayed for him. I sent him a book by Max Lucado, "No Wonder they call Him
Savior." He wrote me and thanked me, but it wasn't long after that he died.

I wish I could help you through this period of your grief. As a mother I can.
As one who had the same issue you are dealing with, I can't. I pray it means
something that I do care and will pray the Lord meets you at your every
moment of anguish and pain grief does to us.

In Jesus name I pray you will feel the Lords peace. Amen

J~Kay~2

 

[Angela53510]

I would rejoice that these men are coming to church! I hope the gospel is preached every time they come.

I confess, I don't see much difference between the son with the out of wedlock children and the homosexuals. Wouldn't the church rejoice if the other son came back to church with his two illegitimate children? If not, why not?

Christ came for the sick, not for the healthy. But for that matter, who is healthy?

I pray these two men will hear and repent of their sin, along with any others who come to your church needing to know Christ.

 

[Kerry]

Davids most trusted men were vile and rough men. Churches should be full of Gay's and lesbians and drug users. Isn't that what Paul told the Galatians for such were you.

 

[maxwel]

Davids most trusted men were vile and rough men. Churches should be full of Gay's and lesbians and drug users. Isn't that what Paul told the Galatians for such were you.

The key word here is "were".

: )

 

[minouche]

My dear sister, i fully understand how sensitive and delicate this situation is and i hear your heart in being concerned about the impact on the youth and children in the Church. I think you really need to go into serious prayer for this Church, that they may find the proper balance and wisdom in how to confront sin while also remaining a refuge for those who are thirsty for Christ, those who need to learn more about Him.

After all, yes the Church is a hospital where all the sick should feel welcome and helped, but if the "wound" is never treated and the person is allowed to remain that way without ever being taught the truth, then there is a BIG problem.

God bless you for being concerned and may the Lord encourage you in prayer.

 

[jjtj22]

In my church there are many ex-drug addicts, people with past sexual sin, our pastor is divorced, etc. and we are a small church. Our church is not perfect but we do a pretty good job at loving people, it is actually one of our strong points and the reason our family is a part of that church. I do hope y'all believe me that I am not hating on people who are hurting and not perfect. As for myself, I know that Jesus paid dearly for my salvation, that my sin was not a pretty or nice version of sin. I am pretty straight up about my struggles, if you are around me long enough I will point them out to you myself.

The issue is that with such levels of acceptance and love how does one deal with blatant sin? Angela, I completely agree that there is no difference between the son with out of wedlock children. That couple did attend our church, marital counseling was provided the right direction was pointed out. He (or she, or they) decided a different path, that son no longer attends church, the mother of the children still comes occasionally and brings the children. With the homosexual couple I feel as though the sin is being ignored, ergo my elephant in the room remark. No one else's sins seems to be off limits.

Maxwel brings up a most crucial point, not everyone that comes to church is there to learn about Christ. Some people's intentions are to disrupt the work of Christ that is going on by causing divisions. The couple openly flaunts their sin but here is where it gets so confusing, are they hiding behind a mask of indifference but secretly want to learn about Christ? Or are they there to disrupt? I guess that herein lies the limits of an online discussion of the issue, as I see the behavior they display at church while y'all do not.

So, my decision about this matter is that I have a strong, wise husband who loves our family and our church and will protect them when he sees fit. I will tell him my confusion about the men and their behavior and let him decide how our whole family will respond as a unit.

Thank you to everyone, this discussion has helped me to realize that there are a lot of Spirit filled folks on CC that do not mind taking the time to help others. God bless everyone of you!

 

[jjtj22]

My dear sister, i fully understand how sensitive and delicate this situation is and i hear your heart in being concerned about the impact on the youth and children in the Church. I think you really need to go into serious prayer for this Church, that they may find the proper balance and wisdom in how to confront sin while also remaining a refuge for those who are thirsty for Christ, those who need to learn more about Him.

After all, yes the Church is a hospital where all the sick should feel welcome and helped, but if the "wound" is never treated and the person is allowed to remain that way without ever being taught the truth, then there is a BIG problem.

God bless you for being concerned and may the Lord encourage you in prayer.

Thank you, it is so nice that you see I am really not coming from a hateful, self-righteous place. Thank you also for the encouragement. I will definitely be in prayer, I also believe some fasting to be in order.