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©
2002
SET FREE, Inc.
P.O. Box 14835
Richmond, VA 23221
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Phone: |
[804] 358-8150 |
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Fax: |
[804] 358-7520 |
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How
Should The Church Respond?
by Transforming Congregations
How should the church respond to homosexuality? The
following two alternatives represent the visible response
of many local churches to the homosexual issue.
1. Exclusion
Steve sat Sunday after Sunday in church nursing his"
secret." The guilt and shame at times were overwhelming,
and he desperately wanted to tell someone. Yet, he didn't
dare. Comments from the pulpit and attitudes reflected
by some in the congregation gave a clear message that
it was not safe to discuss such things here.
Steve finally found the courage to tell an elder in
the church. Before long it became obvious that others
knew. Fear gripped him when the pastor requested they
meet. His secret was out: Steve is a homosexual. Yet it didn't seem
to matter to anyone that he really wanted to change.
2. Inclusion
Lisa had finally found the acceptance and fellowship
she had only dreamed of. She and a small group of other
homosexuals were welcomed into this inclusive church
and accepted for their "gayness." Their church's
interpretation of scripture regarding sexuality was
different from what she’d been raised to believe. For
membership, no change in her lifestyle was required.
Those in their small band were encouraged to celebrate
their homosexuality. On her first Sunday there, the
minister announced the upcoming "union" ceremony
of a lesbian couple.
All of this felt wonderful for Lisa, but it only worked
when she violated her conscience and discarded her traditional
values.
Is Either Right?
Past fearful attitudes towards homosexual people have
led many congregations to reject the homosexual directly
or indirectly for the sake of maintaining God’s righteous
standard. As with Steve’s church, they are not welcomed
and helped.
However, some churches - like Lisa’s - claim an “enlightened”
understanding of homosexuality and, throwing aside orthodox
teaching, have opened the church to unrepentant homosexuals. Seeing them as “born gay,” they reach out with
compassion, but sacrifice righteousness in the process.
What would God have us do? Are the only choices these types of “holiness”
and “compassion”?
There is a Third Response
As 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 records, God delivers people
from homosexuality’s snare through Christ’s atonement
and the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work.
This special work of our Lord is uniquely emphasized
in our day by the rise of a movement of those overcoming
homosexuality. Organizations
like Exodus International (a Christ-centered coalition
of “ex-gay” ministries) and Transforming Congregations
(a network of redemptive churches) reach out with the
biblical message of transformation from homosexuality.
What is the Transforming Congregation Movement?
The Transforming Congregations program helps churches
adopt a redemptive and pro-active response to the homosexual
issues of our day.
It is a way for
a local congregation both to stand against the
trend to accept homosexuality as normal, and make themselves
available to directly assist overcomers in the midst
of their healing and change process.
What do They Believe?
Transforming Congregations affirm the biblical witness that (1) Homosexual
practice is sin: Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27;
1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-10.
(2) The power of the Holy Spirit is available
to transform the life of all persons, including the
homosexual: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 12:2; Galatians
5:16-25; 1 Peter 2:24.
We seek to heal homosexual persons, their families, and the Church. We minister
to the needs of all persons affected by the homosexuality,
utilizing the resources from both within and outside
the Church in order to facilitate healing and wholeness:
Romans 15:1-2; Galatians 6:1-2;. We integrate
all repentant, redeemed persons, including homosexuals,
into active membership and participation in the life
of the Church.
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