Sheldon, what are your thoughts on Bisexuality?
I won’t go into detail about everything that I
said in my response, but it pretty much lines up with The Salvation Army’s Position
Statement on Gay and Lesbian Sexuality which reads:
The Salvation Army upholds the dignity of all persons. For this reason, and in obedience to the example of Jesus Christ, whose compassionate love is all-embracing, The Salvation Army does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in the delivery of its services.
The Salvation Army believes that God’s will for the expression of sexual intimacy is revealed in the Bible, and that living fully in accordance with biblical standards calls for chastity outside of heterosexual marriage and faithfulness within it. We do not believe that same-sex attraction is necessarily blameworthy and we oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. We believe that we are accountable for the ways in which we express our sexuality. While recognizing the challenge that this presents, The Salvation Army believes firmly in the power of God’s grace to enable all to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
In keeping with our mission, we are committed to proclaiming the good news of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and transformation by the Holy Spirit. We welcome all seekers of faith in Christ to explore Salvation Army church life.
The Salvation Army, Canada & Bermuda, October 2002
Basically we believe that God intended marriage
and sexual relations to be between man and woman. But that doesn’t imply that
we should persecute or mistreat those who are engaged in same-sex
relationships. All people were created in the image of God, and God loves us
all the same despite who we are married to, dating, or yes, even sleeping with!
I personally believe that openly gay members of our society should not only
feel welcome inside the walls of Salvation Army churches, but they should be
treated no differently from the other members of the congregation.
BUT!
Where do we stand on issues of church involvement by homosexuals? On two separate occasions this summer this issue has been raised in two different Salvation Army congregations.
In the first congregation, an Officer/Pastor has been criticized greatly for allowing an openly Lesbian female to sing in the worship team of their church and play her guitar? Is this okay?
In the second congregation, the Officer/Pastor is battling how to respond to a request from a homosexual couple who have asked if they can assist in various areas of ministry in the church.
Should they be allowed?
Here is where I am not sure about where I stand. I have said on numerous occasions that I would allow an “unsaved/un-professing” individual to take part in various areas of worship (like playing in a worship team) as it may very be the avenue that leads them into a life of commitment in Christ. But what if I said “no” to a homosexual guitar player simply because of his sexual preferences, isn’t that a bit hypocritical?
Is there any one sin greater than the other?
Is it okay for an overweight Pastor to rebuke a congregant because of their sexual orientation?
Is it okay for a gossiping choir director to
rebuke an alcoholic?
Is it okay for a church secretary who is secretly stealing church funds to tell a promiscuous teenager that they are living in sin?
Help me here on this one. We are taught to invite and welcome homosexuals into our congregations, we are told to love them, but when they want to get involved we immediately put up barriers. Is this okay?
What do you think?
About Me
My name is Sheldon and over the last few years people have
often described me as: “Inquisitive!” meaning that 1.) I am eager for
continuous knowledge, but also 2.) I “pry” people for more information.
I am also a Minister in The Salvation Army with the Rank of “Captain,” and for those who know me best, they will know that I LOVE all things Italian, thus the name Il Capitano Inquisitore: The Inquisitive Captain. This blog is intended to be a place for me to write about things I love, struggle with, and/or am challenged by, as I continue to search for ways to be a better Minister, Husband, Father of Two, and of course Child of God! In time, I am sure that this blog will cover other topics as well: Sports, Books, News, People, and that list goes on, but please remember that anything expressed in this blog will be my opinion ONLY, and I trust that for anyone who reads my words, will also be challenged/impacted in some way! Blessings!
I am also a Minister in The Salvation Army with the Rank of “Captain,” and for those who know me best, they will know that I LOVE all things Italian, thus the name Il Capitano Inquisitore: The Inquisitive Captain. This blog is intended to be a place for me to write about things I love, struggle with, and/or am challenged by, as I continue to search for ways to be a better Minister, Husband, Father of Two, and of course Child of God! In time, I am sure that this blog will cover other topics as well: Sports, Books, News, People, and that list goes on, but please remember that anything expressed in this blog will be my opinion ONLY, and I trust that for anyone who reads my words, will also be challenged/impacted in some way! Blessings!
4 comments:
Thanks Sheldon for your posting. Some good questions. I restain from telling other people what they ought to be doing in pastoral situations of which they are really the only ones who really know the full context of what is happening. I am retired form ministry and I am now - perhaps rather lately - realising the truth of the old saying, "To thine own self be true!" As a minister there are times when you can find yourself between a "rock and a hard place" - especially when our conscience feels at odds with the rules and regulations of the denomination in which we work. I know from personal experience that this can and does lead to "Burnout" for some ministers and officers, which is a tragedy and can take a long time to repair. In extreme circumstances it may even lead to the minister leaving or at least taking time out which is not a bad thing to do depending on the extent to which our our inner struggles are impacting our wellbeing, and if we are married, our family too. I hope you have not reached this stage but it can happen and can "creep" up on you unawares. Whatever our doctrinal position may be I believe at the end of the day we are called to treat all people as human beings with all the dignity and respect that entails. There will come a time when this debate on human sexuality will (like the debate in certain churches on the role of women in ministry) appear archoristic. As the "older generation" dies out the Church is having to face a "new generation" who in the main hold very different opinions. In the meantime there will be those who struggle with the questions you raise. Again, I say, "To thine own self be true!"
Excellent advice Brian--just excellent!
Daryl Lach
USA Central
Thank you Brian Jones for these positive thoughts and truths. I believe God is working in the SA and other denominations where I have Christian friends having this same discussion. Blessings.
A congregation is of believers. Those who are saved in Christ. Otherwise, they are sinners, pagan, unbelievers, or whatever word you'd like to use to describe them. That means, they should not be allowed to perform anything inside the church because it's the 'church' and not the church plus unbelievers. No different than taking communion. Commnion is for believers inside the church. Not for non-believers.
They are welcomed to come, to listen to sing. If you can actually show scripture that backs up a different position, please show by scripture, not by our own words.
If one is CELEBATE, that's a different story. If not, they are flaunting their nose to God just as a philander, thief, drunkard, or pick the Corithian words can do likewise.
Post a Comment