[fwdude]

No, I'm saying that a willful, unrepentant sinner, who declares his unambiguous sin NOT a sin, should not be a part of the life of the church (member in good standing, leader, officiant, voting member, etc.) Not until he repents and comes to some beginning saving knowledge of the truth. I'm not saying he has to be perfect, but he should be humbly walking in what is revealed as the truth and shouldn't be disruptive in having his own way in his old sinful habits. This might mean requiring those who experience exclusive same-sex attraction to STOP engaging in what their baser impulses demand. The same with normally attracted individuals. They might be attending as long as they aren't causing open dissension, but they should be participating as from the outside.

There are plenty of opportunities for those in the church to be effective witnesses to those outside, mostly by living holy lives unsullied by the outside world. I believe this stance is strongly supported in Scripture. I can find no scriptural examples to support having just anyone become a part of the intimate body of believers. In fact, there are several admonitions to EXPEL such people, or separate from them.

[Popman]

——I can find no scriptural examples to support having just anyone become a part of the intimate body of believers. In fact, there are several admonitions to EXPEL such people, or separate from them.-—

I have no idea why you think I said or implied that....

There are clear scriptural references to church membership, leadership etc....

Nowhere did I say an unrepentant person should have any part of the body of Christ.

What I did say was the Church is where sinners get saved and where the power of the. Holy Spirit is manifest.