Another UM Homosexuality Controversy
(From UM News Service.)
A United Methodist pastor in Virginia has been placed on "involuntary leave of absence" for refusing to allow a homosexual to become a member of his congregation.
The disciplinary action is positive; but we need to keep the pastor, the person denied membership, and the congregation at South Hill United Methodist in our prayers, that God might bring healing to this situation.
Personally, I have no tolerance for homophobia or what I consider social and psychological violence toward homosexuals. And while I understand that United Methodists disagree about homosexuality and that the church officially says that homosexual behavior is contrary to "Christian teaching," we shouldn't be in disagreement about hospitality.
A United Methodist pastor in Virginia has been placed on "involuntary leave of absence" for refusing to allow a homosexual to become a member of his congregation.
The disciplinary action is positive; but we need to keep the pastor, the person denied membership, and the congregation at South Hill United Methodist in our prayers, that God might bring healing to this situation.
Personally, I have no tolerance for homophobia or what I consider social and psychological violence toward homosexuals. And while I understand that United Methodists disagree about homosexuality and that the church officially says that homosexual behavior is contrary to "Christian teaching," we shouldn't be in disagreement about hospitality.
posted by Tinley | 8:41 AM
2 Comments:
There's a difference between being hospitable to a visitor and accepting a person into membership.
If the homosexual visitor refuses to repent of his sinful practicies, should he be given membership?
Does not our membership vow call for those joining our congregations to repent of their sin?
This has become the most amazing discussion.
Under the influence of the Holy Spirit and our interpretation of Scripture, each of us has to explore the sin in our lives and repent of it. I know that I have too much work to do on my own sin to put a lot of effort into identifying yours and telling you what you need to repent of!
We are becoming the National Merit Society rather than a community of grace and love.
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