Methodist Jury Acquits Lesbian Pastor

[JP1]

Thanks rafter. I guess we're not in this alone - the Methodist church is just as split on this as the Episcopal church is. I plan on speaking out too . . .

[stevehut]

i'm just curious what that same "jury" would have done if it had been a heterosexual preacher who was openly living with a woman without the benefit of marriage... or if he was just sexually promiscuous.

Yes, I do belive that there seems to be a double-standard in some places. But I think it's important to make a distinction here:

I don't think that homosexuals are necessarily more promiscuous (i.e. indiscriminately sleeping around) than heterosexuals. They're just attracted to a different set of people.

Please don't misunderstand me: Fornication is fornication is fornication. All of these people are the same in the eyes of God, and will be held accountable.

But let's keep the proper perspective.

[stevehut]

I guess we're not in this alone - the Methodist church is just as split on this as the Episcopal church is.

JP,

Frankly, lots of churches and denominations have been struggling with this issue for many years. The Episcopalians were far from being the first to confront the problem. It's just now becoming acceptable to talk about in public.

This is an example of what I as talking about a couple of weeks ago, when you got mad at me. Most people, in most churches, don't really know what their church "officially" believes in. Or what's going on "behind the scenes". The Bible isn't always the standard for the institution; sometimes it's the rule book. Sometimes it's political correctness.

Plesae understand, I don't have any particular grudge with the UMC. They've never done anything to me. But since this is happening at the moment, it's a perfect example.

Have you look at the creeds I showed you?

[Guest Sweetkitty99]

My husband has been a member of the Methodist church his entire life. Now that this has occured...the church going against it's own church discipline, he feels he has no choice but to seek his spiritual nuturing some where else. We have been going this past year to an Assembly of God church...I can say one thing they stick to the word of God.

[RGR]

God help us.

[JP1]

I guess we're not in this alone - the Methodist church is just as split on this as the Episcopal church is.

JP,

Frankly, lots of churches and denominations have been struggling with this issue for many years. The Episcopalians were far from being the first to confront the problem. It's just now becoming acceptable to talk about in public.

This is an example of what I as talking about a couple of weeks ago, when you got mad at me. Most people, in most churches, don't really know what their church "officially" believes in. Or what's going on "behind the scenes". The Bible isn't always the standard for the institution; sometimes it's the rule book. Sometimes it's political correctness.

Plesae understand, I don't have any particular grudge with the UMC. They've never done anything to me. But since this is happening at the moment, it's a perfect example.

Have you look at the creeds I showed you?

Could you remind me which thread that was? I recall that we were in agreement in the Mary and the music threads, so I'm thinking that we have agreed more than we have disagreed! Obviously I wasn't TOO mad if I can't even remember it! I'm going to try to stay away from the controversial forum - its just not very edifying arguing with people. The Holy Spirit is leading me away from that, I just have to remember to listen!

Struggling with the issue is one thing - but they have now reached the point of actively condoning and promoting it. That makes me sad.

In your message here, I don't quite see a solution (Sometimes you have to hit me over the head with something for me to see it!). Are you offering one?

[Guest LadyC]

i'm just curious what that same "jury" would have done if it had been a heterosexual preacher who was openly living with a woman without the benefit of marriage... or if he was just sexually promiscuous.

Yes, I do belive that there seems to be a double-standard in some places. But I think it's important to make a distinction here:

I don't think that homosexuals are necessarily more promiscuous (i.e. indiscriminately sleeping around) than heterosexuals. They're just attracted to a different set of people.

Please don't misunderstand me: Fornication is fornication is fornication. All of these people are the same in the eyes of God, and will be held accountable.

But let's keep the proper perspective.

i never said homosexuals were necessarily more promiscuous. and since we agree that fornication in ANY sense is still a sin, i think it is relevant. my guess is that those who openly accept a homosexual as a member of the clergy would condemn a member of the clergy who openly practiced other sexual sin.

in other words, they're guilty of gross hypocrisy, among other things.

[JP1]

my guess is that those who openly accept a homosexual as a member of the clergy would condemn a member of the clergy who openly practiced other sexual sin.

Exactly. Homosexuals are always claiming about being singled out, but they are the ones marching in to the church offices and proclaiming "I am a homosexual" forcing the church to either say "fine, you're a homosexual" or kick them out out of the clergy. If adulterous clergy were marching into church offices on a regular basis proclaiming "I'm an adulterer and I plan on staying an adulterer" then we would be having this conversation about them! Just as we were having the conversation about pedophiles when the Catholic priest scandal broke.

In fact, IMHO, homosexuals are getting preferential treatment because when they are coming foward with their sin they are being patted on the back and then we are told what good Christians they are. If anyone with any other sexual sin came forward, they would be shown the door! Could you imagine:

"I would like to announce the appointment of Rev. Smith as the new pastor of our congregation. Rev. Smith is openly adulterous, currently with a wife and three mistresses. He is a wonderful Christian, and it is so brave of him to step forward and come out in the open like this. We look forward to worshipping with him for years to come."

Yeah right . . .

[Guest Shilo]

This is all going as planned....just as in the days of Noah....finding a different church is going to be hard cause you see the churches today are to tolerant with everything that is going on....I would just rather get together with a group of people that are in one accord with the bible and even then that is difficult....The true worshippers are being set apart....we can't go anywhere....wwwwaaaaa!!!!!!

Keep looking up cause Jesus is coming soon....do what you can with what you have got and as long as God is #1.....when he brings you to it, He will bring you through it....

[rafter]

We need to do one thing well. And that is tell people that Jesus came in the flesh to save a dying world. If we do that well, then everything will be..... well Jesus said the world would hate us and they would even put us out of the synogage (church) thinking they were doing God a service.

Shilo I agree, and sometimes finding someone to gather with that just loves the Word is difficult and I fear it will be at times impossible. This is a great and awesome time we are living in.

I think we need to stay focused on the message that we are to tell. The church we attend to is not God, only God is God and at the end of our journey, that is all that matters. We must remain faithful to the Lord God Almighty no matter what is happening around us.

Jp1, even though I am pretty much in the same boat as you, I figure we must just keep on being faithful. God will deal with these people. We just need to be careful not to let it cause us to sin. I would encourage you to forget what the name of the denomination is. Church is where two or more are gathered in the Name that is above all names. Jesus The Messiah, The Son of the Living God. Praise His most Holy Name..............