San Francisco's Largest Evangelical Megachurch to Allow Non-Celibate Homosexuals to Be Members

The Elder Board of San Francisco's largest evangelical church, City Church, has announced that the megachurch will end its practice of preventing LGBT people from becoming members if they are unwilling or unable to practice lifelong celibacy.

"Our pastoral practice of demanding life-long 'celibacy,' by which we meant that for the rest of your life you would not engage your sexual orientation in any way, was causing obvious harm and has not led to human flourishing," Sr. Pastor Fred Harrell writes in a letter "on behalf of the Board and for the Gospel."

The pastor cites social science research, saying it points to "skyrocketing rates of depression, suicide and addiction" among the LGBT people. "The generally unintended consequence has been to leave many people feeling deeply damaged, distorted, unlovable, unacceptable, and perverted," he says.

"We believe the thrust and focus of the gospel is the breaking down of former boundaries of exclusion and the expanding of the welcome of Jesus to all," he goes on to say.

"If Jesus were the pastor of City Church, what would he say to the people who are asking if they can belong?" the pastor asks. "As we consider the life of Christ, his example of love, his call to embrace the outsider and cast down, and his patience with those earnestly seeking him, what is a Christ-like response?"

Ending the requirement for celibacy for gays "aligns with our existing core vision: the doors of this church are as wide as the arms of the Savior it proclaims," he adds.

"We will no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation and demand lifelong celibacy as a precondition for joining. For all members, regardless of sexual orientation, we will continue to expect chastity in singleness until marriage," Harrell concludes.

Joseph was visited by angels, not gods.

If you were a Catholic; I could show that you are 'poorly catechized'.

Well to those with blinders on their eyes and their fingers in their ears, I'm sure it appears that way.

Joseph was visited by God, or more correctly all members of the God head, but never by gods. Moroni was an angel not a god.

But I'm sure the Weslyan church has no understanding of the distinction of the words. It is what it is.

[Elsie's incorrect words]HELL: A place of torment from which the worst of sinners are resurrected (if they repent) into the Telestial kingdom; only a limited number remain in hell forever, - the devil and the demons and apostates who consciously reject and work against Mormonism.

[Elsie]Do not let OTHERS be fooled by my LIES!

Well I am trying Elsie, but with you it seems to be habitual. Just saying...

Hell:
1. Also known as outer darkness.
2. Only the devil, his angels, and the sons of perdition will be cast there forever.
3. To be a son of perdition, a person has to have a perfect knowledge of God. They no longer act on faith because they have seen God and then deny Him. Cain for example.
4. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.
5. Everyone except the devil, his angels, and the sons of perdition will be eventually be redeemed out of hell after they have suffered the wrath of God. But they will be cast into a lesser kingdom. They will never live with God. 1 Cor 15:40-42. Celestial, Terestial, and Telestial. Each person will receive the reward they are capable of receiving.

The wrath of God is described by Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants
Section 19:
15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

[Elsie]worst of sinners are resurrected (if they repent)

All people are resurrected no matter what.

Joseph was visited by God, or more correctly all members of the God head, but never by gods

Dang it!?

Can't you make up your mind??

Joseph was visited by angels, not gods.

Jeff; perhaps you can straighten him out...

Jesus Christ is God’s Son, spiritually and physically.

He calls Him Father, He prays to Him.
We are to pray to Him, God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, His Son.
God’s voice was heard at Christ’s baptism, coming from Heaven while He was in the water. The Holy Sirit also descended. Three seperate entities/Gods.

Santorum endorses one-time rival Romney

Thursday, May 10, 2012 12:32:46 AM · 416 of 492
Jeff Head to stpio

Because like I said, I've already answered it. Why should I repeat myself?

You've not said yes or no.

You merely prattled on and on about... who knows?

Why are you so fearful of following what the BIBLE has told you?

You want to hold on to SOME things that James said, (any of you lack wisdom?) and REJECT others??

James 5:12
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no,

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There is no contradiction in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Santorum endorses one-time rival Romney