WN: Lutherans to Vote on Sexually Active Gay Clergy - Washington Post

[Guest shiloh357]

The ministry is not a "job." It is a calling and God does not call gay people to the ministry.

I agree with you. However, how is one to know if a gay person cannot be called to ministry?

BTW, I am in no way defending homosexuality. Just a question.

God a may call a person into ministry AFTER they are fully delivered of such a thing as homosexuality, but there is no biblical basis for anyone asserting that God would call a gay person into the ministry while that person is still in bondage to it.

[Guest shiloh357]

The ministry is not a "job." It is a calling and God does not call gay people to the ministry.

I agree with you. However, how is one to know if a gay person cannot be called to ministry?

BTW, I am in no way defending homosexuality. Just a question.

I think you guys would be surprised at how many gays and/or ex-gays have ministered to you already.

It seems like we have a test of faith here....can anyone be redeemed? Why would an ex-gay be excluded when rebellious divorcees are not? Why would an ex-gay be any less valuable to the Body than an ex-witch or an ex-thief or an ex-ax-murderer?

Once someone has been truly free, there is no reason why the Body can't benefit from their perspective and ex-perience. However, the office of teacher is a privaledge that requires trust. Anyone who thinks it is "owed" to them isn't fit to lead.

The authority of saints comes from the humility of service. No one is given a position just because they think they deserve it (unless they've got a piece of paper from a seminary apparently)

When an ex-sinner begins serving others with his/her life, their authority in the Lord will be recognized by the Body instead of having been appointed by another man.

I think the point has been made abundantly clear that we are not talking about "ex-gays" or "ex-adulterers" being called by God. The point being raised is that God does not call them and anoint them into the ministry WHILE they are still in bondage to those sins be they "practicing" or not.

For some 10 years, Sandi Patti was involved in an ongoing adulterous affair and refused to sign divorce papers. She has amazing natural ability, but it shows how many people were deceived into mistaking natural ability for an "anointing." The same goes for Ray Boltz who was a homosexual when he wrote many songs still being sung even now and is still an unrepentant homosexual.

I would also point out that the arguments being made in support of gays in the ministry are all emotional, and are not based in the Scriptures.

[Guest yod]

The point being raised is that God does not call them and anoint them into the ministry WHILE they are still in bondage to those sins be they "practicing" or not.

who would argue such a non-scriptural position?

that's just nuts.

[OneLight]

I wonder how many of you know the story of Lonnie Frisbee.

The gay hippie preacher of the 60's who claimed to be a mystic? A little ... why?

[Scarletprayers]

Yeah who died from aids ostracized from the very movements he started because of preaching against homosexuality on Sunday and practicing it every other day of the weeks. So what, Paul tells us that a lie even to "push" the gospel is evil, so basically he fouled his own testimony and all of those that believed in him and gave Christianity another black eye, so that the world could call us hypocrites!

[Scarletprayers]

God could use a donkey to get His word across, doesn't make the donkey the one that is doing the good work now does it?

[OneLight]

Do you deny he was used mightily by God?

No, he was not. The Holy Spirit will use Gods word to work in anyone's life, no matter where it comes from. Are you saying that a gay person, who was tripping on acid in a canyon, that claimed to hear from God, is a viable candidate to be a preacher?

[Guest shiloh357]

Do you deny he was used mightily by God?

Yes, I deny it completely.

[PhoenixJLD]

I really don't know how this turned into a me v's every one else thread. I agree with most of you! I was never advocating gays in ministry, only for recovered gays in ministry. I am not being emotional or PC. I thought you guys knew me better than this!

Being set free is different the still having the desires but not fulfilling them, living asexually. That is what I am disagreeing with you on. The first is from God, the second from man. God never fails, but man does.

What if God chooses not to set them free?

I am going to be very open here. I've been a Christian pretty much my whole life, and always believed homosexuality is wrong. When I discovered that was my orientation... and it wasn't something I wanted or chose... I prayed daily begging God to free me from it. He chose not to, at least not so far. Does that mean that I haven't been relying on Him, or that I've been trying to "fix" it on my own? At least to me, that answer is a very clear no. What if there is a purpose in it all? If someday He does allow me to fall in love with someone of the opposite sex, then I'll be so grateful... but one thing that has been clear in my mind through all of it is that this "orientation" is only a temptation. I feel attraction to people of the same sex, but as long as I rely on God to help me not to entertain those thoughts and allow them to become lust, I am in His will. I am prepared to live a completely asexual life if that is what is required of me. And my situation isn't unique. Do you think someone like me should be kept from serving God in the ministry if that is what He calls us to?

[~candice~]

How does the repentant person, who no longer struggles... how is this person in violation of the scripture you posted about "being of good report"? The sin is in the past, the person has overcome in Christ... its the same as having an ex-alcoholic or ex-drug user as a pastor.

Having a