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Evidently SOME Christian churches would say: "Welcome, gentlemen! Do you do live in the same abode? If so, we shall require proof that neither of you is doing the nasty with the other. Otherwise, the Bible tells us that we are to call you sinners and to cast you out from this exclusive fellowship."Of course I would do something. I would say hello and welcome them.
What else would any Christian do?
I belong to the First Congregational Church which is part of the UCC (United Church of Christ). It is an OPEN and AFFIRMING church where ALL are welcomed. Jesus never turned anyone away from his table...nor should the church. Our congregation is a mix of everyone. Many gay couples attend, right along many seniors, married couples with children, asians, african-americans, handicapped, etc... No one cares..and it's never discussed. The pastor welcomes all. He greats everyone and all join us for coffee hour immediately following the service. Who are any of us to judge? We also have about 3 homeless people that come to service every Sunday as well...and they too are welcomed and greeted the same as those in suit and tie.This poll is mainly geared towards hetero's but all are welcome to post their thoughts.
Hypothetical situation.
An openly homosexual couple join your church, are you compelled to do anything?
If anyone feels inclined to respond, I'd also like to know what your position is at your church, and also what you would do if you were the head pastor (if anything different).
By starting this discussion I am hoping to try to give some insight to fellow brethren so please use your best efforts not to completely derail the thread
Your church is a powerful witness to Christ in the world.I belong to the First Congregational Church which is part of the UCC (United Church of Christ). It is an OPEN and AFFIRMING church where ALL are welcomed. Jesus never turned anyone away from his table...nor should the church. Our congregation is a mix of everyone. Many gay couples attend, right along many seniors, married couples with children, asians, african-americans, handicapped, etc... No one cares..and it's never discussed. The pastor welcomes all. He greats everyone and all join us for coffee hour immediately following the service. Who are any of us to judge? We also have about 3 homeless people that come to service every Sunday as well...and they too are welcomed and greeted the same as those in suit and tie.
Of course I would do something. I would say hello and welcome them.
What else would any Christian do?
By openly homosexual, do you mean they are a homosexual couple that pretty much let us know that they are having sex?.
Im assuming your Church only has Married Heterosexuals...By openly homosexual, do you mean they are a homosexual couple that pretty much let us know that they are having sex?
If so, yes. If by some wonder, they were allowed to join the church, they would be held to the same Biblical standard as every other member.
Is someone is walking in disobedience, he is to be admonished, warned and appealed to in love. 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction
The admonishing or correcting is not limited to church leaders but any member in the body who is spiritually mature and led of the Spirit.
First, we are to seek private correction and/or reconciliation with the offender. The Bible says in Mat. 18:15 15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
If the first step fails, witnesses are to be taken to strengthen the effect of the discipline, preferably spiritual leaders, so that if it has to be brought before the whole church it can be firmly proven and established.
16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' Matt. 18:16
If the second step fails, seek reconciliation and restoration through the whole body and taking it before the whole church.
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector Matthew 18:17
If theydo not want to receive discipline from the church body, they are to be removed from the body.
But note this process is the same for EVERYONE, not just gay couples.
I cannot help it if you and your church are sin-focussed. We prefer to focus on mission, ministry, worship and hospitality.
Indeed - if your church is overly interested in the sex life of its members - then your church IS lurid, prurient, and way out of line with the Jesus' command.
Hello Zaac,
This is what I was getting at with this post, how prejudice it would be for us to call out, preach about, or teach a doctrine against homosexual sins, when we do not the same for every unmarried couple who walks through the door? To assume the homosexual couple is having sex, and that it must be addressed, is quite a leap when there are probably 10 times as many hetero couples who are there every sunday and do not get called out on their -assumed- fornicative actions.
Im assuming your Church only has Married Heterosexuals...
Our church has a mixture...some married, some common law...as for homosexuals, no idea...I dont know what people do in thier bedrooms...they could be having 3somes for all I care... as their sex life is between them and God
As for myself I like the diversity as I know God is there for all and we are all apart of God and in God's place for the same reason (to worship)
The Gospel of Christ is more concerned with Love and the Release from Sin.We prefer to focus on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It happens to deal with sin.
You must be reading a secular progressive translation of the Bible.
The Gospel of Christ is more concerned with Love and the Release from Sin.
You guys who are so focussed on sin are really missing out on a lot of the good stuff Jesus gave us. But that is your choice.
It isn't right, it is the truth according you to your uneducated opinion of what you believe God's Word to be. As you said, you are willing to trust false translations, even though, translation to translation there are extreme inconsistencies, and they don't agree with each other.No need to correct that which is right.
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