Gays in the life of the church

[Ddavid from NC]

Up front... homosexuality is a sin with grave ramifications, but the church is called to reach out to the sinner with the message of the gospel. The message is not acceptance or tolerance but warning and showing a better way. This particular sin is deeply ingrained in the pysche of these individuals and it requires patience before and after new birth. How do we communicate our love for the individual but our hate for the destructive sin of homosexuality. How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

[O'Dannyboy]

How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

While I do not believe it would be anyones business and need not be discussed it would a leap of faith to share such testimony with the congregation. I do believe that such testimony would be most helpful in witnessing to homosexuals in their own struggle for salvation.

[Ddavid from NC]

How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

While I do not believe it would be anyones business and need not be discussed it would a leap of faith to share such testimony with the congregation. I do believe that such testimony would be most helpful in witnessing to homosexuals in their own struggle for salvation.

'O'Dannyboy' I agree with you, what I meant by the question you quote is what caution if any would you use. How could you keep it from looking like probation or suspicion?

[Neeva Candida]

Up front... homosexuality is a sin with grave ramifications, but the church is called to reach out to the sinner with the message of the gospel. The message is not acceptance or tolerance but warning and showing a better way. This particular sin is deeply ingrained in the pysche of these individuals and it requires patience before and after new birth. How do we communicate our love for the individual but our hate for the destructive sin of homosexuality. How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

I would think that it needs to be handled like any situation involving sin and church "membership". Use the process of Church Discipline to deal with any issues.

~Neeva

[O'Dannyboy]

Do you mean from the newly saved persons perspective? It would be hard to hide any doubts one might have but it should be expressed to the newly saved that this is something he/she will not be going through alone. At first I thought it might be good for them to share their salvation experience with the congregation and together they could help the newly saved overcome any fears of prejudice in one fell swoop. Admitting ones sins need not be a community affair though. As others have pointed out, our sins are between us and God and you need not admit them to anyone outside of those whose opinions matter most, such as your pastor, sister, brother, father or mother. Obviously such a person would be invaluable when offering testimony to those whose sins are comparable but not at the risk of having the congregation alienate them.

[Ddavid from NC]

Do you mean from the newly saved persons perspective? It would be hard to hide any doubts one might have but it should be expressed to the newly saved that this is something he/she will not be going through alone. At first I thought it might be good for them to share their salvation experience with the congregation and together they could help the newly saved overcome any fears of prejudice in one fell swoop. Admitting ones sins need not be a community affair though. As others have pointed out, our sins are between us and God and you need not admit them to anyone outside of those whose opinions matter most, such as your pastor, sister, brother, father or mother. Obviously such a person would be invaluable when offering testimony to those whose sins are comparable but not at the risk of having the congregation alienate them.

My experience in the local church tells me that it would be rare for a person's sexuals sin to already be known or at least rumoured to be known. I have some limited experience with the issue.

[Guest Signs 1]

If the person in question has accepted the Lord as Savior he must believe the Bible. So show him the scripture that deals with homosexuality. If the person is truly looking for the truth he will find it. we need to help him.

[O'Dannyboy]

How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

While I do not believe it would be anyones business and need not be discussed it would a leap of faith to share such testimony with the congregation. I do believe that such testimony would be most helpful in witnessing to homosexuals in their own struggle for salvation.

'O'Dannyboy' I agree with you, what I meant by the question you quote is what caution if any would you use. How could you keep it from looking like probation or suspicion?

I think I understand what you were asking now. That's a good question. I guess all you can do is to be as welcoming and accepting as you can be. Most people might feel as though they are in probation despite how nice everyone is to them. Untill they become comfortable with their surroundings and have made a few friends they will likely feel out of place. I guess as long as their manorisms aren't too obvious then there should be no reason why they should think people might suspect anything. I guess the pastor could always give a sermon on rumors and how spreading them is to bare false witness and so on.

[MeCajunboy]

Up front... homosexuality is a sin with grave ramifications, but the church is called to reach out to the sinner with the message of the gospel. The message is not acceptance or tolerance but warning and showing a better way. This particular sin is deeply ingrained in the pysche of these individuals and it requires patience before and after new birth. How do we communicate our love for the individual but our hate for the destructive sin of homosexuality. How do we incorporate these individuals with this past into the life of the church after their salvation?

You summed it all up in one word you may have overlooked David. PATIENCE! I never approach someone who may be leading a homosexual lifestyle, with the first intent of informing them of their sin. And we can go a step further and say that , "we should never attack someone firsthand with that approach about any sin. Actually let's not forget, the only person we are to warn about God's commands that we feel they are sinning against are other Believers. So in many of these cases, technically we are not to confront these people as it would be difficult to determine which gay people are "practicing believers" as the instant it is declared they are living a gay lifestyle, you can hardly call them "believers." As with any other sinner, you can't be both at the same time. That would be as an oxymoron, to consider one a believer and a sinner at the same time.

[Neeva Candida]

You summed it all up in one word you may have overlooked David. PATIENCE! I never approach someone who may be leading a homosexual lifestyle, with the first intent of informing them of their sin. And we can go a step further and say that , "we should never attack someone firsthand with that approach about any sin. Actually let's not forget, the only person we are to warn about God's commands that we feel they are sinning against are other Believers. So in many of these cases, technically we are not to confront these people as it would be difficult to determine which gay people are "practicing believers" as the instant it is declared they are living a gay lifestyle, you can hardly call them "believers." As with any other sinner, you can't be both at the same time. That would be as an oxymoron, to consider one a believer and a sinner at the same time.

As long as we draw breath in this life we are still sinners.

~Neeva