How can you be a member of a religious organization and simultaneously act regularly and openly in outright defiance of its principles? No church worth the name would accept such a person.
Well, gee, what are the requirements for joining the club?
More and more I think of AlGore's ravings when he would say, "Everything that should be UP is DOWN . . ."
Well, they're 1/2 right. In the eyes of God all men are sinners but he still loves us despite this. However, he also says that a member of the church who refuses to give up their sinful lifestyle is to be expelled if they have been given the chance to repent but still persist in their sinful ways.
He should be allowed to join the church.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
I agree Homosexuals shouldnt lead the church or act as Ministers, but every person has the right to worship God in the church of their choice.
"The theme of our church for five years now has been 'Open Hearts. Open Minds.
Turning away sinners is no way to rehabilitate them...
C'mon, you guys ... we all know that homosexuals are welcome to *attend* church. What's being discussed is the ability of homosexuals to serve in the church as lay-people. Huge difference.
1Co 6:9-10 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.
i am confused if he attends church is he not supposed to confess his sins and ask forgiveness-then how can one attend as a homo-is he asking for a blessing because he said he was a sinner but-does he think that it is alright to keep being what he practices-he cannot be a homo and accept CHRIST without getting rid of such evil ways he can live with thoughts but if he acts and says that this is what he is-he is not a CHRISTMAN
If you want on/off the ping list let me and little jeremiah know.
I am a United Methodist pastor, elder, and retired chaplain.
The above is inaccurate.
Our denominational guidelines also say that "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." Our membership vows require the participant to acknowledge that they have renounced sin.
The issue with this man who wanted to become a member is that he AFFIRMED homosexuality. Therefore, the pastor, who is the recognized leader of the congregation, was more than right in refusing membership at that time to the homosexual man.
The doors were not closed to him, and he was free to worship and participate. This pastor has been treated with grave injustice by his radical, liberal bishop.
Their minds are so open, their brains fell out...
Here's what I never understand...why would you want to be a member of an organization whose beliefs do not include you? Someone explain that to me.
We have a gay man in our choir in our UMC. He is also a member and has join the church. We know he is gay and we do not discuss it but we do pray for him. He is welcome in our church. He will never hold a position of authority in the church and his life style will never be promoted in our church.
Its kind of like unions in a "right to work" state. You don't have to join to work there, but if you want to you can.
While it is true that we are to reach out to sinners, it is not true that a person can be part of Christian fellowship while he refuses to follow the teachings of the Bible. The Bible is clear that one who professes to be a Chirstian but practices immorality and does not repent is to be excluded from fellowship. Paul teaches that in I Corinthians.
John Wesley would weep bitterly to see what has become of the Methodist church.
"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.