Gay and lesbian ministers

[senerhu]

In the KJV (and in Hebrew) it says "Send those men out that we may know them". In both cases, the word "know" can have a double meaning; it can mean "get acquainted", or it can mean "have sex". Some people today embrace the first meaning, and reject the second.

[Guest LadyC]

the assistant pastor does occasionally preach from the pulpit. generally this occurrs when the senior pastor is ill, or out of town. for the most part, the duties of an assistant pastor are more of a counseling role.

I think you've engaged in some circular reasoning here.

In forming a belief system, we should start with the Bible and go where it leads. In this line of reasoning, it appears that many people have done the opposite: They will form a belief, and then go back and rationalize it by splitting hairs from Scripture.

This is a dangerous path, indeed.

[Work in Progress]

and now the women are being told they should be out there as Preachers, Evangelists, Careers etc(don't you dare let anyone tell you you can't do what a man can do!!

What do you suggest I tell my daughter when she says "I want to be a (fill in the blank)"? Am I to say "Sorry, honey, you're a girl. Girls can't do that."

You mean to tell us that you have never told your child that they couldn't do something because it was wrong? As a parent, that's a dilemna to you? I find that hard to believe.

(papasangel @ Mar 26 2004, 11:59 PM)

If someone is preaching the Word of God and their lives do not reflect the values that God upholds (concerning homosexuality espeially) then how can we allow them to defile the pulpit?  Homosexuality is a sin and the Bible is clear on that.  If a man or woman is preaching God's Word and they openly or even in the closet practice such activity then they are sinning against God.  Would you want to condone this sin?  I wouldn't.

I don't know anybody that would, papasangel, except other homosexuals . . .

You don't get out much, do you? Not only are there "christian" pastors and other "christians" who condone, support and condone this, but there have been people on this board who have.

[stevehut]

in the case of a female assistant pastor, she is covered by both. she may deliver a sermon from time to time, but not without the authority of the senior pastor, who either prepares the sermon for her to deliver, or who carefully examines it

If the Senior Pastor has to be so closely involved with this process, then what's the point of having an assistant? He might as well do everything himself.

Hopefully, the assistant pastor will be someone who is known to already have a sound doctrine, and is not susceptible to spouting heresies from the pulpit the next time Mr. Big leaves town.

In the US Constitution, the qualifications for president and vice-president are exactly the same. Why? Because the president could die at any moment, and the VP will have to step up and take over, right there and then.

Likewise in any church, there should be a clear succession plan. If the senior pastor should die or become seriously ill, there should be someone waiting in the wings who is fully qualified and willing to take over at a moment's notice. This person should have the full authority of the pastor, from the first moment.

Seems to me that there is no point in having an assistant pastor, if that person has no real authority.

[Andrew007]

in the case of a female assistant pastor, she is covered by both. she may deliver a sermon from time to time, but not without the authority of the senior pastor, who either prepares the sermon for her to deliver, or who carefully examines it to be sure it lines up with scripture before she delivers it.

I agree 150%

[JP1]

You mean to tell us that you have never told your child that they couldn't  do something because it was wrong? As a parent, that's a dilemna to you? I find that hard to believe.

I have never, ever told them that they coudn't do something that was wrong based on gender. No. You may decide thats hard to believe, but it is the truth.

You don't get out much, do you? Not only are there "christian" pastors and other "christians" who condone, support and condone this, but there have been people on this board who have.

Yep, you're right about that . . . don't know what I was thinking when I typed that!

[Guest TheBluesMan]

A man may have a problem with shoplifting, for instance.  It is a particular problem that he struggles with, and he may give in to it from time to time.  But he knows it's wrong, and he continually tries to repent.

In the case of homosexuality, many people refuse to admit that it's wrong at all.  They indulge in it time after time, and even boast about it.

That's the difference.

SteveHut has clearly focused on and spoken to the crux of the issue.

Homosexual leaders in the church are trying to turn a sin into a virtue.

I know that I'm a sinner, but I don't proudly announce that I intend to continue in my ways and encourage others to do the same.

-Dave

[papasangel]

ok. I have seen some really good responses here from everyone. I would like to contribute my two cents worth as well.

The role of men and women in the church should complement one another, not set each sex at the other's throats. Men have a responsibility as the "Head" of the family unit here on earth. Many men do indeed take this responsibility seriously and faithfully guides their famlies as in directed in the Bible. But we have to face it too that there are some who either do not take responsibility or are confused on the issue here or even rejects that responsibility. That leaves many women vunerable and having to fill in for the man so to speak.

Personally a man should preach in th pulpit according to the word. His sermons should be inspired by God and biblically accurate. Women have another role that is just as important or even more so. While a man goes out to preach with words we use our actions mainly to show God's love in the world. We are nurturers by design and our actions compliment the male role. Should a woman preach from apulpit? No. Thats not our job although occasionally filling in in a special prayer capacity would probally be ok. We can "teach" through Sunday School to our children.

So we should not argue as to who is supposed to lead so to speak. God made men and women to compliment one another, not to go for each others throats. Together a man and a woman who truly has God in their lives and by their actions show that do more teaching than all the sermons in the world.

[Guest shadow2b]

-I believe the Word of God is forever growing. Jesus taught this during His time here. It makes no sense why the teachings of God would not adapt to todays world

.

-uhhhh??NOPE!! THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT CHANGING!!--FOREVER GROWING!!

-THE TEACHINGS OF GOD ADAPT TO TODAYS WERLD??-NOPE!! IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND--TODAYS

-WORLD SHOULD ADAPT TO GODS WORD

-Psalm.119.vs.89------

-FOR EVER O LORD,THY WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN---

-THE Constitution of the U.S.A. was written from GOD'S WORD & was to be

-ESTABLISHED like GOD'S WORD--UNCHANGING-NOT INTERPRETED--JUST READ

-& FOLLOWED-AS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR AS LONG AS THIS NEWLY

-ESTABLISHED NATION REMAINED AS{ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!}BUT just like

-GOD'S WORD--MEN started "INTERPRETING"the Constitution instead of following it

-as INSTRUCTED BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS----NOW LOOK WHERE MAN & HIS

-INTERPRETATIONS OF BOTH{GOD'S WORD & THE CONSTITUTION} HAVE LED US

-TO------GOD'S WORD ADAPT??NOPE I THINK NOT

-edited by Gary-to remove vulgar pic--I did not notice the vulgarity being displayed in the picture--I apologize folks --honest mistake--gif-pics will be checked more carefully in the future----Gary--

[stevehut]

The role of men and women in the church should complement one another, not set each sex at the other's throats. Men have a responsibility as the "Head" of the family unit here on earth.

Agreed. Men and women each have a role, as described in Scripture.

The Bible describes the church as the family of God. Just as a family household works best when each person fulfills their role, likewise for the church.