Posted on 10/28/2005 2:11:25 PM PDT by Crackingham
The man had been attending a Methodist church in South Hill, Va., for several months. He sang in the choir. He owned a business and was well known in the community. But when he asked to become a formal member of the church, the pastor turned him down, because he is gay.
Those are the bare facts of a case that has split a 650-member congregation in southern Virginia and that threatens to divide the 8 million-member United Methodist Church, the nation's second largest Protestant denomination.
Yesterday in Houston, the Methodists' highest court heard an appeal from the pastor of South Hill United Methodist Church, the Rev. Edward Johnson. He was placed on unpaid leave after he rejected entreaties from his immediate supervisor and his bishop to admit the gay man, who has not been named by church officials and has declined to talk about the case.
Nationally, the Methodist Church prohibits "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from serving as ordained ministers. But it has declared that gay men and lesbians are "persons of sacred worth" and has repeatedly said there are no bars to their participation as lay people.
"The theme of our church for five years now has been 'Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.' The issue here is, 'Are we really open or not?' " said the Rev. W. Anthony Layman, who was Johnson's district superintendent when the pastor was removed in June by a 581 to 20 vote of fellow ministers in the church's Virginia conference.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"dishonoring it with a sinner who is trying to hear the word of God but who hasn't gotten the message, yet."
Hmmm lets see here....homo is open about lifestyle Church does nothing and in fact promotes him - message sent????? Homo lifestyle is supported by Church - others are left wondering what is the proper teaching. Regardless of the evil we should not allow it to prosper openly in our Church. It is one thing for those who practice this evil and another all together to proudly display it in Church with no sign of repentence. The analogy is not that difficult to understand.
"Those are the bare facts of a case that has split a 650-member congregation in southern Virginia and that threatens to divide the 8 million-member United Methodist Church, the nation's second largest Protestant denomination. "
Separating the Sheep from the goats.
And... Open Sodomy.
Obvioulsy Biblical scholarship isn't your forte.
That subject relies on herd animals.
This satanist, had warped views of Christianity spewed to him by her fellow satanists and relatives, going to church helped to slowly change his mind. And no he was not open about his love of Satan, hes a rather quiet fellow. He did however have alot of contempt stored away for the church. I see nothing wrong in the fact he was brought to church, he did not yell out haiiiil saaaaataaaan or tear the place apart, he did not say of his love of Satan, and yet he got to hear God's word...everyone knew he was a satanist by his mother...
What ever happened to loving the Sinner while hating the sin?
Here's a link to an article I just pinged out; has more information about the homosexual who was denied membership and the status of the pastor who stood up for righteousness.
Lesbian Pastor's Conviction & Defrocking by United Methodist Church, Upheld by UMC Court
Denomination | 31 Oct 05
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1512660/posts?page=1
"What ever happened to loving the Sinner while hating the sin?"
Please tell us how do you hate the sin? Should the Church, refute bilbical teaching, and accept all sin as equal? Shall we condemn those who seek purity in doctrinal biblical teaching?
What rock did you crawl out from under? That phrase has been used for a long, long time to indicate that you should love the sinner while hating the sins they comit, not hate the fact that the bad acts are considered sins to begin with. It's not about accepting sin, it's about hating sin but not the person that comits it. You're so arrogant you assume everyone who doesn't agree with you completely must therefore disagree with you completely. You must be full of self-loathing if you feel every sinner should be hated because they sin.
Me laughing hahahahahahaha! You sound like a little 3 year old throwing a tantrum or better yet a liberal not getting their way.
hahahahahahhahahahaha!!!!!! I love it.
Oh I see you couldnt quote scripture either- doesnt surprise me.
An unrepentant person isn't allowed to have fellowship witht the body of Christ. That does not mean that hey are not allowed to be in a pew, but that they are not to be accepted a member...
That was my point
No, I don't quote scripture. I don't need scripture as a crutch for a logical argument in a discussion.
Your inability to recognize the worth of anyone except those who adhere to your own version of Bible-thumping is a sin. One of the 7-deadlies. Think about it.
Actually, that was not the way I read your post. The butt buddy wanted to be accepted, warts and all. The pastor said that he could not keep his warts...
No, the pastor said he wouldn't accept him
From the first line of the article:
The man had been attending a Methodist church in South Hill, Va., for several months. He sang in the choir. He owned a business and was well known in the community. But when he asked to become a formal member of the church, the pastor turned him down, because he is gay...
He was sitting in a pew, and more. When he asked for formal recognition, it was denied... because he would not repent.
re·pent
v., -pent·ed, -pent·ing, -pents.
v.intr.
1. To feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite.
2. To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind regarding it: repented of intemperate behavior.
3. To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins.
v.tr.
1. To feel regret or self-reproach for: repent one's sins.
2. To cause to feel remorse or regret.
Also from the article: But it has declared that gay men and lesbians are "persons of sacred worth" and has repeatedly said there are no bars to their participation as lay people.
What do you call what the pastor did other than a rejection?
re·ject ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-jkt)
tr.v. re·ject·ed, re·ject·ing, re·jects
1. To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of.
2. To refuse to consider or grant; deny.
3. To refuse to recognize or give affection to (a person).
4. To discard as defective or useless; throw away.
P.S. I know where to find dictionary listings, too
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