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Church Acceptance for Sinners
My only wife of more than thirty years and I are life-long Christians and attend church regularly. Recently we began attending a new (to us) church and have enjoyed and been inspired by the teachings and the praise music. About 3 weeks ago, the pastor's message was based on I Corinthians 5. He really helped me to understand what Paul was saying in this passage. At the end of the pastor's message, he used an example of homosexuality to make the point of not associating with immoral "Brothers." He told the members of the audience if they were gay, they were welcome as long as they were trying to "go straight." However, they were not welcome if they professed to be Christian and were not trying to change their sexual preference and/or lifestyle. I agreed with that even though the way it was said seemed a bit harsh.
About a week ago, our 20 year old son, the youngest of three children, through tears announced to us that he is gay. As a young teenager he gave his life to Christ and was baptized, so we were not ready for that announcement. For the past 5 years he has been fighting and stuggling with his feelings because he knows what God and the Bible has to say about homosexuality. He dated girls during those years, but could never feel any attraction to them even though they had feelings for him. He has also been conflicted knowing how our local churches are mostly unaccepting of the gay community. Needless to say, my wife and I have also been struggling with our thoughts and feelings these past days. Even though we do not approve of the gay lifestyle, we still love our son and want to help him, especially to have him stay with Christian fellowship.
For us to go back to the previously mentioned church would be uncomfortable and it appears our son, and perhaps his parents, would not be welcome. This bothers us very much and especially so when it seems one particular group of people "living in sin" is singled out from the rest. In the congregation we know of couples in which one spouse divorced his/her previous spouse to be able to marry the current spouse. And in a group of more than 500, there must be more. Jesus, in Matthew 19:9, stated to divorce and remarry for that reason was a sin. Are not those couples who continue to live that way and call themselves Christians also ones not to be associated with and therefore not welcome at that church? Is there a difference that I cannot see? Is that why Christian leaders seem to condemn homosexuality more than adultery? Am I wrong to think that if the same message was given to divorced and remarried couples, there would be an unacceptable drop in church membership?
I truly wished to pose this directly to the local church, but there was no way to ask and be answered anonamously. Your response will be very much appreciated and accepted.
Signed,
Struggling Dad
My only wife of more than thirty years and I are life-long Christians and attend church regularly. Recently we began attending a new (to us) church and have enjoyed and been inspired by the teachings and the praise music. About 3 weeks ago, the pastor's message was based on I Corinthians 5. He really helped me to understand what Paul was saying in this passage. At the end of the pastor's message, he used an example of homosexuality to make the point of not associating with immoral "Brothers." He told the members of the audience if they were gay, they were welcome as long as they were trying to "go straight." However, they were not welcome if they professed to be Christian and were not trying to change their sexual preference and/or lifestyle. I agreed with that even though the way it was said seemed a bit harsh.
About a week ago, our 20 year old son, the youngest of three children, through tears announced to us that he is gay. As a young teenager he gave his life to Christ and was baptized, so we were not ready for that announcement. For the past 5 years he has been fighting and stuggling with his feelings because he knows what God and the Bible has to say about homosexuality. He dated girls during those years, but could never feel any attraction to them even though they had feelings for him. He has also been conflicted knowing how our local churches are mostly unaccepting of the gay community. Needless to say, my wife and I have also been struggling with our thoughts and feelings these past days. Even though we do not approve of the gay lifestyle, we still love our son and want to help him, especially to have him stay with Christian fellowship.
For us to go back to the previously mentioned church would be uncomfortable and it appears our son, and perhaps his parents, would not be welcome. This bothers us very much and especially so when it seems one particular group of people "living in sin" is singled out from the rest. In the congregation we know of couples in which one spouse divorced his/her previous spouse to be able to marry the current spouse. And in a group of more than 500, there must be more. Jesus, in Matthew 19:9, stated to divorce and remarry for that reason was a sin. Are not those couples who continue to live that way and call themselves Christians also ones not to be associated with and therefore not welcome at that church? Is there a difference that I cannot see? Is that why Christian leaders seem to condemn homosexuality more than adultery? Am I wrong to think that if the same message was given to divorced and remarried couples, there would be an unacceptable drop in church membership?
I truly wished to pose this directly to the local church, but there was no way to ask and be answered anonamously. Your response will be very much appreciated and accepted.
Signed,
Struggling Dad