Posted on 08/04/2005 6:24:09 AM PDT by mbarker12474
- membership vs participation - discretion power over membership - who decides membership - power of Bishop, District Superintendent, Clergy - power of laity - secrecy of Va Conference of the UMC - test of profession of faith
Mike B.
"The Bible says homosexuality is a sin. Now everybody sins, but we like to think that everybody who is a member of the United Methodist Church is attempting to repent of their sins."
I agree, he must immediately repent and live a "straight" lifestyle" and if not faced the membership and removed from the membership. Once the door is open the flood begins.
ping
Unfortunately, we already allow open adulterers into membership so barring homosexuals is rather foolish.
Is there a way that we can help this Pastor regain his position?
You hit the nail on the head.
Unfortunately, we already allow open adulterers into membership so barring homosexuals is rather foolish.
I would prefer holding adulterers accountable rather than lowering the bar.
I like this answer. The church is full of sinners but homosexuals openly defy God's word and have no sense of repentance. I would venture to say when I sin, and others, we try to gain forgiveness and stop the sinful behavior.
We had a mini-scandal here in Houston a few years ago when Rice University football coach Ken Hatfield said he would be uncomfortable having homosexuals on the football team. He was deeply religious, and did not want such sinners on his team. However, I seriously doubt that his straight players were living celibate lives (when I was in college, football players usually had entourages of girls around them).
As would I.
Good point. We tend to treat sin as if there is a point system.
What else shall we ban people for.
Working on the Sabbath?
Adultery?
Owning a Graven Image?
Eating Unclean Meat?
Not having Battlements on your roof?
"Open adulterers?" Do you mean they bring their mistresses to church instead of or along with their wives? I guess fornicators and "polyamorous" types are welcome and openly express their non-Christian behaviors as well?
I'm glad I attend a Christian Church where all sinners are actually called to repent and follow Christ instead of one like this where such nonsense is openly embraced.
Ping
Apostasy marches on... its so biblical.. i.e. supposed to happen..
Nah. People living together. The Bible describes adultery as "sex outside a marriage" (See the woman at the well).
It does make me sad. Our pastor is hinting about a coup so to speak in the Methodist Church if the liberal faction doesn't straighten up. I can only say I am glad I live in a small, Bible Belt region and our church doesn't contend with these issues yet.
This is the same article reposted. I've no problem with that.
The truth is that the District Superintendent who says that homosexuals are denied ordination but are required to be brought into membership is lying.
The very biblical church rules state that "homosexuality is INCOMPATIBLE with Christian teaching." It also says that homosexuals "MAY" be received into church membership. The intent of the two is to say that REPENTENT, NON-PRACTICING homosexuals are eligible for membership.
We will simply have to address that specific wording at the next General Conference in May of 2008.
What is obvious here is that the bishop intentionally used the associate to undermine the senior pastor. It was the associate who turned the senior pastor in.
Does "Judas" ring a bell?
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
Another article about the Methodist minister placed on involutary leave ("fired") for not allowing a homosexual to become a church member. Keep in mind the man (I assume it was a man) was perfectly welcome to attend church functions; just not become an official member.
Might as well just give up on denominations like these and have home churches like in China.
Freepmail me if you want on/off this pinglist.
Note: A house of worship which institutionalizes sin as being something to assist, glorify, celebrate and practically speaking, mandate, is akin to decorating a dead body with lipstick, earrings, and nail polish. It's still dead.
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