sjbouza
04-19-2007, 04:04 PM
Praise God...I have finally found a church in this podunk town that will accept me the just as I am...well sort of. I have been searching for a church here that can accept me and not condemn me for being gay. I have been to a few and the basic response up til now has been, "you cant be gay and Christian" or "you will burn if you dont turn from your sinful lifestyle", just to name a couple. I dont want to post one response that I recieved. I couldnt believe I was talking to a "man of God".
However, I have found one, while they do believe in the traditional "homosexuality is a sin", they dont condemn me for being gay. I spoke with the associate Pastor today. His view is that everyone is welcome, they dont turn anyone away. If God has reason for me to change then God will make that change in me. He also did make a comment that they dont want people "promoting" their "lifestyle". In "lifestyle" he was speaking in general terms like a drug user ministering that God gave us pot so it is alright to use it, that type of thing. That is not what I am about, speaking of the gay thing. If someone asks me I will tell them my beliefs. I did speak to him a little about my beliefs on the "clobber verses" that have been used. He has never heard of Dr White and was sort of interested. I told him about the booklet, "What the Bible Does and Doesnt Say about Homosexuality" and this website address. So I hope that he will at least check it out and see what others have to say about it. It may not change his views, however it will at least let him know where I am coming from!
But this is the first church, in this area, that has openly invited me to worship with them. I felt at ease and comfortable talking with Keith. It is a "young church" in this area. It is called Resurrection Life Church (http://www.getreslife.org/). They have been in the area since 2004, I believe. All I can say is that I am excited. :applause: :weee:
They have several worship services. I am going to attend one of the Saturday night "Res Rocks" services as well as the Sunday morning service, just to see the difference. The Sat night service is more of a "rock" worship. Sunday is a little more contemporary. We shall see. I just so miss the praise and worship that I once had with God. Throwing my hands in the air and just giving Him glory. My old church was that way. However, they dont allow us homosexuals to worship there. If I am living in sin then I cant be a true follower of God. You know the whole "sinful lifestyle" thing.
Anyway, we shall see how this goes. I am little worried about them still thinking it is a "sin" as it is literally translated in the Bible. But who knows, maybe I will be the one to open their eyes?! All I know is that I am excited and cant wait to bathe in Gods glory again with a group of believers.
Wish me luck people and pray for me. I will be keeping you updated on how it is.
Love in Christ,
Scott
However, I have found one, while they do believe in the traditional "homosexuality is a sin", they dont condemn me for being gay. I spoke with the associate Pastor today. His view is that everyone is welcome, they dont turn anyone away. If God has reason for me to change then God will make that change in me. He also did make a comment that they dont want people "promoting" their "lifestyle". In "lifestyle" he was speaking in general terms like a drug user ministering that God gave us pot so it is alright to use it, that type of thing. That is not what I am about, speaking of the gay thing. If someone asks me I will tell them my beliefs. I did speak to him a little about my beliefs on the "clobber verses" that have been used. He has never heard of Dr White and was sort of interested. I told him about the booklet, "What the Bible Does and Doesnt Say about Homosexuality" and this website address. So I hope that he will at least check it out and see what others have to say about it. It may not change his views, however it will at least let him know where I am coming from!
But this is the first church, in this area, that has openly invited me to worship with them. I felt at ease and comfortable talking with Keith. It is a "young church" in this area. It is called Resurrection Life Church (http://www.getreslife.org/). They have been in the area since 2004, I believe. All I can say is that I am excited. :applause: :weee:
They have several worship services. I am going to attend one of the Saturday night "Res Rocks" services as well as the Sunday morning service, just to see the difference. The Sat night service is more of a "rock" worship. Sunday is a little more contemporary. We shall see. I just so miss the praise and worship that I once had with God. Throwing my hands in the air and just giving Him glory. My old church was that way. However, they dont allow us homosexuals to worship there. If I am living in sin then I cant be a true follower of God. You know the whole "sinful lifestyle" thing.
Anyway, we shall see how this goes. I am little worried about them still thinking it is a "sin" as it is literally translated in the Bible. But who knows, maybe I will be the one to open their eyes?! All I know is that I am excited and cant wait to bathe in Gods glory again with a group of believers.
Wish me luck people and pray for me. I will be keeping you updated on how it is.
Love in Christ,
Scott