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Three thoughts come to mind in regards to how to deal with this

group of young men...

1 - The church exists for lost people. If we believe that all "lost people

matter to God" then you have to allow the group of guys to continue to

come. If a homosexual cannot come to worship, then we need to send home all

of the members of our congregations that are alcoholics and drug addicts.

While we are cleaning house we can send home all of the men that are

wrestling with lust and all of the women who have been flirting with the

idea of an extramarital affair. Let them stay for that reason alone.

2 - Continue to speak/preach the truth in love. Now would not be a good

time to start a new series titled, "Homosexuality...The Cardinal Sin".

Instead continue to preach and teach and interact in love. At the same time

don't avoid being willing to preach against sin. They are coming for a

reason. Seize that time for Christ.

3 - This one is obvious...Avoid promoting them in leadership. People in the

church will undoubtedly want them to be more and more in leadership

positions, but avoid it.

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"Brian, thank you for being honest with me. And of course, you are most

welcome to continue attending our services. I would like to think that in

our ministry and fellowship you will be able to discover God's plan and

purpose for your life. I want our church to be an extension of Christ's love

to you and your friends who attend as well."

"I would like to believe Brian that you would expect from me the same kind of

honesty that you have exhibited. You obviously are aware of our church's

stand on homosexual behavior, as well as the deliverance that we believe is

available, through Christ, to all who put their trust in Him. Otherwise you

would not have answered the way you did. I want you to know that I have no

different opinion from that of my church. It will be reflected in my

preaching, and teaching and counseling whenever the subject arises. But when

it does, remember that I am not hating you or your friends, I am simply being

faithful to the Word of God."

"I will pray for the day to come, when you will find you can trust me, and

let me help you find your way out of this lifestyle that is so displeasing to

God."

--J. W. Watkins Vancouver, WA

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At first glance, these young men seemed to be above reproach. They seemed

to be setting an example for other members of the church. However, I would

submit they are wolves in sheep's clothing. After all, I believe it takes

a "clean vessel" to truly worship God. I do not believe that someone

living the homosexual lifestyle can truly worship God.

If I was fooled by these wolves, I would have to take a close look at

myself -- to determine why I was fooled. Perhaps, I was using the wrong

measuring stick. Granted, it may have appeared that they were bearing

good fruits -- tithing, helping one another, etc.

But if this is how we discern one another, then we would have to equal

fellowship with Mormons, and many other groups. After all they exhibit

many of these same "fruits". There has to be something else to consider.

As for what I would tell these young men? I would ask them to leave.

After all if they are not willing to repent of their ungodly lifestyle,

then they should go elsewhere to "play church". Because in my opinion,

that is all they are doing.

______________________________________________________

I'm floored but it could happen to my church! I need answers as well!

______________________________________________________

Don't know what you said to Brian & Jared, but if they end up leaving *your*

church, please send them over to mine!

Only fair to say, however, that we're not a church in the

evangelical/fundamentalist tradition. So what would be a no-brainer over

here is a real dilemma out there.

Good luck. Thanks for bringing up the subject. Everybody, from all points on

the conservative/liberal continuum, surely benefits from seriously

considering issues like this.

--Noel Piercy, Assoc. director of music, 1st Presbyterian, Caldwell, NJ

Olivet Nazarene College, 1979

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As homosexuality becomes less "sub-cultural" in the next decade, most

pastors will have to answer this letter for real in their own churches.

______________________________________________________

Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me......The church that welcomed me

did it while I was not in accordance with the full doctrinal statement. But

greater still, the One who saved me expressed the fullness of love while I

was yet a sinner.

Membership and leadership aside, it is the desire of the church to lead the

lost to Christ. Lovingly and faithfully. You can continue to attend.

(Yet as a pastor I cannot close my eyes - or my sermon - to the sin that

entangles.)

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I would not tell anyone not to attend my church unless they were causing

division and dissension. I guess I would make clear to them that we

would continue to preach against all forms of sexual sin--homosexuality

included. I would inform them that they would be asked to leave at the

first hint of pushing an agenda. I would tell them that overt "couple"

behavior would not be tolerated. And I would pray that they would

experience Holy Spirit conviction and repent while attending the church.

Dr. C.G. White, Pastor Pilot View Friends Church

Yadkinville NC 27055

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In my view you should positively encourage those young

men to continue to attend your Church. If they know the Church is

evangelical and want to attend worship and have no agenda of their own,

what a God given opportunity. We have all sorts of "sinners" attending our

Churches no worse or no better than homosexuals. It seems to me that Jesus

was glad to be called "the friend of sinners" and we can do no better than

follow his example. Jesus also told sinners "to go and sin no more" and

surely our holiness message is that he meant what he said, so what better

place could those young men come and what more challenging message could

they hear?

his is close to my heart because across from my church is the biggest gay

bar in North Manchester I pray all the time that some of the people who go

there would start coming to our services. My advice would be, tell the old

ladies to keep loving them, tell the preachers to keep preaching the word,

and pray for the Holy Spirit to convict and transform them.

Yours In Christ, -- James Petticrew

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Welcome Brian.

Love Brian.

"While we were sinners, Christ died for US!" ...Brian and you and me.

"Judge not that you be not judged!"

Why would the response be any other?

--Evalyn Cole

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Accept them as they are. They have been honest with you.

Mike

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I would first affirm that they are welcome to continue to come to church as

long as they are seeking to be delivered from this sin. The main thing I

would want to know is whether they are honestly seeking deliverance. If so,

the church should stand with them, prayerfully giving them support as if they

had any type of sin problem. If they are practicing homosexuals that feel no

need for change, we have a problem such as in 1Cor 5:5. I feel you would have

to send them from the church to remain pure. Too often today we try to be

"politically correct" and therefore, disobey God. I want to be "God correct".

This sin is a stated abomination that God will not tolerate, neither should

we. In His Service, Barry Jenkins

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...I have decided to error on the side of grace, and allow "sinners" into the church.

If the church isn't about reaching out we may have lost our mission. Although I

don't have a couple coming to our service, the man that attends does bring his

friends time to time. He knows where we stand as a church and where I stand

as a pastor, but I continue loving him as Christ would want me to.

During my college years at a Wesleyan school, I was confronted with my

room-mate that was gay (homosexual). I handle that matter all wrong and

began a smear campaign that made him leave the school and never speak to me

again....not the Christ-like approach that brings sinners to the

Savior. I have learned since that this man is dying of A.I.D.S. and I have

tried to reach out to him with no success. I think from this experience I

learned to preach the truth... and at the same time love

unconditionally. Loving unconditionally is still speaking the

truth........in love!

Sincerely, Ron

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On the surface it seems like a very complicated problem and I do not

want to sound condescending but what is your stand on homosexuality. What

if it were just Buddhist who were coming for the worship, would you try to

convert them? If they are practicing homosexuals you have no choice but to

address the issue for you are accountable for their souls. I believe this

can be done in a loving and compassionate way without compromising your

position as a minister of God. This is a sin which God calls an abomination

and says that none shall enter into the kingdom while practicing it. It is

not your place to run anyone in or out of the church, just preach the word

as God has entrusted you with it and it will not return void, whatever the

outcome. Pastor Greg Street

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Keith, I like this one. It raises questions with most of our men

(pastors) and they do need to think. What if the situation involved a

high-priced call girl, or perhaps a good looking multi-divorced woman, or

a gambling addict, or even a guy hooked on pornography? I know, gays feel

like they are that way because they were born that way. Whatever the

sinner who enters our gates we must demonstrate the love of God as

experienced through Jesus Christ. We tend to be afraid of the sinner (the

real sinner) and we would appreciate her/him going some where else. We

like those who come in looking right, smelling right and talking right.

How many folks would like to fellowship with us if we only gave them a

chance? We don't have to change our positions spiritually or

psychologically but we must never forget that God has called us to

minister to those who have needs, deep needs. It is tough to love a

sinner when he is sitting next to you. Easy to pray for him from afar. It

says something about us when we are threatened by the gay or whomever.

There are no simple answers to some of the situations we face. But, are

we praying for God to send some real sinners our way? Gays tend to be

well-educated and articulate. If we feel that they need Christ in saving

grace, we must reach out to them. Do we really trust God the Holy Spirit

to do his work in people's lives? I have seen it happen and I am praying

for God to give me the greatest harvest of my life this year. I love

transfers, but I love fresh fruit better. There is nothing more

thrilling to see than a person set free from the bondage of sin.

Time forces me to sign off. Thanks for what you doing for the Kingdom.

--Hal

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My wife and I have came up with this as an answer. We believe that they

should feel free to worship. They know what the church's view is on

Homosexuality. God loves them, and they have a soul just as we do. God

loved us enough to send Christ to die on the cross for the sins of man.

Matthew 9:12-13 "Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those

who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not

sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to

repentance."

We can not reach the lost if we concentrate on those we think are

worthy. Christ came for the sinners. They are sinners and if we exclude

them, then who will go to them with the love of Christ.

In all honesty I could care less what the implications may be. I am here

to win souls for Christ not condemn the world.

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

I'm wondering if it would be fair to expect a person to act like a believer

before he/she is truly reborn.

Often a practicing homosexual will claim to be reborn, which brings in new

thoughts. The Bible tells us not to associate with those who are immoral

who claim to be believers. Is the person claiming faith? Do they need

time to sort out their theology? Are they willing to understand that the

Bible calls homosexuality a sin?

For me this is a hypothetical exercise, therefore I don't have all the

information necessary to give a wise answer. If I were in your situation,

I would probably be doing what you are doing...seeking wisdom. There are

so many things to consider. I would love to hear what you decided.

--Mark Schlechty Allegan Wesleyan Church

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I'd tell them they're welcome to stay, so long as they understand that I

will be dealing with them as unbelievers in need of Christ rather than

"Brothers in Christ." Period. Homosexuality is no different than any

other sin. It must be openly confessed and repented of. If

"confession" is made without repentance, than the principle of 2

Corinthians (discipline the fornicator in your midst) must apply. No

repentance in the face of admonition, no fellowship with the church.

--Jon White

To help others think through this issue email your contributions to tuesday@indwes.edu