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Posted on 10/09/2011 5:55:23 AM PDT by NYer
MILWAUKEE – A man who left his Presbyterian ministry in California more than 20 years ago after telling his congregation that he is gay was welcomed back into the church leadership on Saturday as its first openly gay ordained minister.
In a quavering voice ripe with emotion, 56-year-old Scott Anderson told the hundreds of friends and backers who packed Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin for his ordination ceremony that he never thought the day would come.
"To the thousands of Presbyterians who have worked and prayed for almost 40 years for this day, I give thanks," Anderson said. "And I give thanks for those who disagree with what we're doing today yet who know that we are one in Jesus Christ."
When he was presented to the crowd, audience members gave him a thunderous standing ovation and began roaring with cheers.
"That was very atypical of Presbyterians," Doug Poland, an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church, told the Wisconsin State Journal. "Usually our hands are in our laps."
Anderson was closeted when he served as a minister in Sacramento, Calif., from 1983 until 1990. When a couple threatened to reveal his sexual orientation, he came out to his congregation and resigned because the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) barred homosexuals from serving as ministers.
But things changed last year when the church's national assembly voted to remove the ban, clearing the way for Anderson's ordination.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The problem is — for how long? how long before a vote is held to change towards this? There were recent moves to have deaconesses. That bloc persistently tries to push a vote. Eventually they will get that, then pastoresses and finally gay married pastors
This is a reason it will be hard for a Republican to win WI in 2012 when the liberals are energized and out in force, unlike in 2010.
Just wait until they make it mandatory. After all, how can one properly minister to gays if one is not using the glory hole at the local bathhouse on a regular basis?
From another site
“Anderson chose the Rev. Mark Achtemeier of Dubuque, Iowa, to deliver the sermon Saturday. Achtemeier used to be one of the most vocal opponents of gay ordination, but he announced a complete turnaround after friendships with gay Christians prompted him to re-evaluate scriptural teachings about homosexuality.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44831210/ns/us_news/
“re-evaluate scriptural teachings about homosexuality”
Tell me they just took a leave of absence of from their senses? Tell me they are not trying to re-write or re-define the Bible? Because that is what it sounds like to me!!
Mark that was crude, but so to the point!!!
People are not thinking that is the trouble.
Suburbs of Philly.
This is an emotional decision, not a rational or logical one. Whoever has a homosexual relative or friend who at least appears to be a contibuting member of society may present the argument that since they are a worthwhile human being, then they should not only have their particular proclivities allowed, they should also be subsidized by the government in the interests of 'equality' and 'fairness' and 'opportunity'.
Back to the glory hole and to the airport bathroom stalls...
Yes, that is the problem for any church under attack by the Enemy. For that is exactly what you are describing.
Without the Lord's Grace and without constantly going back to the Holy Scriptures and Sound Doctrine any church or denomination can fall.
That is why, I wrote to you earlier about how we broke off PC USA and returned to the Scriptures and the Westminster Catechism of which it is based upon.
We broke away because not only was the Authority, Inerrancy and the Plenary nature of Scripture thrown away, but also it's tithing support for Abortion and Communist Rebels.
We never took up women Elders as our Church Order is formed from the Scripture. Therefore we don't have the issue of Homosexual in the ministry.
We counsel those who have given themselves over to the homosexual lifestyle to repent and return to the Lord, but do not condone the practice of habitual sin as in the Liberal Churches.
If one believes in the Absolute Sovereignty of God in Everything including Salvation, inerrancy and absolute authority of the Holy Scriptures - we are it.
Flee the Liberal houses Oh Israel and return to the Lord.
We welcome all who wish to Worship the Lord Jesus Christ, in Spirit and in Truth and all who wish to know God - three persons in One.
Doesn’t sound like any PCA church I know of. What is it’s name so I can look it up on the web?
“Back to the glory hole and to the airport bathroom stalls... “
and every rest area along the interstate.
Yea Mark I know exactly what you mean. What if they saw this pastor at the Folsem street fair? Would they still want him as pastor then? Things that make you go hhmmmmmm.
Exactly -- while I do believe that many women are much more devout and dedicated to God than men, priestesses/pastoresses seem by proof of observation (observing various denominations) to ultimately lead to gay married pastors.
Right, The issue goes back to obedience to the Scripture where the Apostle Paul says that in the church "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." 1 Timothy 2:12
As far as Homosexuality goes, the Apostle Paul is explicit: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality , nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God... 1 Cor 6:9-10
In other words, practicing Homosexuals will not go to Heaven and are lumped with Idolaters, the Greedy, and revilers (of God). This is repeated in 1 Timothy 1:10. So the new Testament is very clear on this matter.
In the Old Testament: "Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." Leviticus 18:22 Having any sin not paid by the Lord Jesus Christ's blood will prevent one from going to heaven. Not even the smallest one is permitted. But in the practice of Homosexuality, it is presented as Detestable to God and as one of some of the foulest sins ushering one into Destruction.
The Good News, is that anyone who repents (turns truly away) of their sins and calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (by Faith) will be Saved from Eternal Destruction and given a Life and Life Abundantly (better than any bottle, drug, man or woman, etc.).
So it is utterly ridiculous to take any practicing homosexual into the church let alone to put them in a position of authority. Such the Liberal/Progressive churches have done and sealed the date of their end.
Let me get this straight, one citizen should get preferences and subsidies over another citizen? Or one class of citizens permanently over another?
Is that Right. How is that "Equality'? How is that 'Fair'?
How about a persons business or a community church, do they have any say in the matter of who they employ? Say a Church that has a ministry of Deliverance from Homosexuality? Should they be forced to hire those who promote it?
Or a Business that sells Books promoting Holy Matrimony? Should they be FORCED to hire one promoting homosexuality from the cash register where their books are sold?
Funny how when one class or person is allowed privileges in a free society that it is no longer free; and free speech is no longer permitted.
Brave new World, Huh?
Yes, but we must also not just say “oh, they did that” but must be vigilant and keep watch that we do not let the small steps take us down this same slippery slope
With our brave new government, it is already happening. Look at the idiot concept of 'hate crime', for instance. Hate crime? How many crimes are done out of love?
How many deviant groups are subsidized by the government right now? How many members of them are being subsidized (since in the pursuit of their own interests, they don't have time for things like a job)?
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