Transvestite in church

[koko081012]

i do think they need to hear the gospel, we all start somewhere with Christ. I wouldn't think they should be allowed to become a member of the church while still practicing the sin. I would say the same for an unmarried couple living together (which I was, so am also referring to my own past sins here), or an alcoholic, ect. However if the church turns these people away, to say they may not even enter, how then do they receive the gospel? We are all broken and in need of a savior. Just because their sin is more obvious then another's, it doesn't make it bigger. Sin is sin. To say that one is more wrong then that one, is going against the word of God. How can we help one to heal and find Christ if we turn them away before we even know their story? That person is still an image bearer. Some of the most broken people are those with the strongest of testimonies. Plant seeds, and allow the spirit to do the convicting. The greatest commandment is love, turning away and closing doors to an unsaved sinner is not love. It's true that we still sin even after being saved, but there should be a difference in ones life after being saved, conviction and repentance of sins the Holy Spirit convicts of us. Once saved, they would be convicted and turn away from the sin, and then may join Christs body, and become a member. Christ may have sent that person to you to speak of his love! Often we let our fears get in the way of God's will, afraid of the effect it will have on the kids, or the church, or what will others think? It doesn't matter.. What matters is what Christ thinks.. And if Christ sent a man dressed as a female to your church to hear the gospel repent of his sin and turn to Christ... And people refuse and close doors, I think they would have to answer to that some day..

 

[koko081012]

I thought I would clarify, it would be ok to have them as an attendee, but not a member until remission of sin. As long as they attend a biblical based church they would be hearing the gospel, they would then, either be convicted and repent. Or offended and leave...

 

[chandraclaws]

Yes. And I would allow someone who routinely lusts to retain their eyesight and a glutton to bring a snack in their pocket and a gossip to come to church without tape over their mouth.

We're all sinners. We all carry the baggage of that sin with us every day. If we start asking people to leave the church (or leave their sin outside the door before they come in), churches will be empty.

Amen.

 

[Z.Mackenzie]

Yes he should be accepted in terms of coming in and hearing the message. But he should not demand the church to preach in favor for his delusion and support his cause.

 

[GoodGRACEshus]

Many years ago, long before most Church members had ever openly entertained the concept of transvestites, we had a Sunday School teacher with rather large hands and feet. Her voice
pitched a little lower than most other females but was softly and gently delivered. I would venture to say she was one of, if not THE, most popular teachers of that group. A new member decided she must be a tran., and approached the minister (my grandfather) demanding she must be banned from church. Grandpa said, " if what you say Is true, then she needs us more than we need you. I would not want a Member here who could be so cruel as to judge another based on, the size of hands and feet and the pitch of her voice. If you are present in her bedroom when she disrobes and have first hand proof then I will have a talk with both of you!" He laughed a lot at the idea of approaching this gentle soul and asking if she was a man"............times have changed so much!

 

[Dave-W]

I believe we should except "homsexuals" in church,

You mean we should exclude them? That is what "except" means - as in "everyone except them..."

Or do you mean "accept?" That would mean we include them.

 

[Armoured]

Should a man dressed as a woman be excepted "dressed as a woman" in church?

About as accepted as a woman wearing pants.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Actually I don't recall any Scripture saying that Jesus approached anyone other than the disciples.

The Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar is one example, off the top of my head, where Jesus approached her (spoke to her first).

 

[Mudinyeri]

Well, the goal isn't to increase numbers. It's to save souls, right?

...Sorry, I know I'm Catholic, but I have family who are Baptists through marriage on my wifes side.

No, the goal is not numbers, per se. The goal is to expose as many people to the Gospel as possible (sow the seed). "Excepting" (excluding) someone from church, from hearing the gospel, is in direct conflict with the Great Commission.

I do agree with those who have suggested that membership in the church should be preceded by repentance. However, when we start to say that only certain sins should keep someone out of church, or prevent them from membership, we become hypocrites - at best.

 

[Gwen-is-new!]

So ... this would be an opposition not based on the example of Christ who regularly sought out close interaction with adulteresses, harlots, tax collectors (cheats) and all manner of other, similar sinners? In which case, it would not be a scriptural opposition.

I always thought He sought them out to led them to repentance. He told them to go and sin no more. I am thinking in one case, Jesus told them not only to go and sin no more, but also threatened that something bad would happen if they did.

He didn't invite them to the synagogue.

 

[Gwen-is-new!]

Thank you Twin; I think it is very clear "from the Word of God" that we are to love the sinner, but hate the sin. I believe we should except "homsexuals" in church, without excepting their life style. How can you teach that the "Bible teaches" that such is sin while excepting the practice of such in church?! A man dressed as a woman was in church where I go last Sunday, "by invitation"; it is my belief that he should be welcome to come to church; but not dressed as a woman. What kind of message are we sending to the rest of the church? What message are we sending to our children? What are we sending to the world around us?!

The message should be repentance and faith, right?

 

[2win]

I thought I would clarify, it would be ok to have them as an attendee, but not a member until remission of sin. As long as they attend a biblical based church they would be hearing the gospel, they would then, either be convicted and repent. Or offended and leave...

Very well put Koko.

 

[Mudinyeri]

He didn't invite them to the synagogue.

Then again, the only people he kicked out of the temple were the money changers and pretty much all the men were wearing "dresses".

 

[98cwitr]

The Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar is one example, off the top of my head, where Jesus approached her (spoke to her first).

And asked her for water right?

 

[Albion]

And asked her for water right?

How on Earth does that relate to the situation described to us in the OP?

 

[Mudinyeri]

And asked her for water right?

Yes.

How on Earth does that relate to the situation described to us in the OP?

It doesn't ... directly. It was kind of a side conversation.

 

[Albion]

It doesn't ... directly. It was kind of a side conversation.

Ah. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Ah. Thank you for the clarification.

Flaws of the forum format.

 

[Gwen-is-new!]

You are very correct Albion! Some body needs to read the OP again very carefully. Would you allow a drunk to bring his/her whisky in church with them?!

That's a great analogy!

I'm just confused because it seems the church in the NT was for repentant sinners. We are definitely called to love the lost person, and share Christ with them, but I don't think that means bringing them to church. Did Apostle Paul do that?

Seems in the NT, it was repentance, faith, baptism, then come to church???

 

[SnowyMacie]

Should a man dressed as a woman be excepted "dressed as a woman" in church?

No less accepted than women who wear t-shirts, and or pants, or anyone who wears generic clothes.