Church refuses to host funeral of gay man

[retsambeW]

Originally Posted by Sarah

The leaders of this church was caught between a rock and a hard place. Like others have said, if the slides weren't shown, and the "partner" wasn't mentioned, they probably would have been better off going ahead with the service.

But after reading on this forum about R and D washing the feet of gay pastors in a church setting, I have to admit to read of this happening is rather refreshing......gives me a little hope that the religious world hasn't gone completely crazy.

Indeed, it is about time somebody stood up for the right.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I think it will come to the place where it is a "members only" deal when a funeral is held at a church. Seems that a "christian funeral" would only be given to those that claim christianity. All others can go to the funeral home and have a civil burial.

NO Matt that will NEVER happen.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Hear the gospel?????????????????????????????????????

Do they preach the gospel, the pastor's brother-in-law doesn't preach the gospel.

I knew somebody would make a big deal over this...

The Gospel---The Death, Burial and Resurrection.

That is the recognized and accepted view of the definition of the Gospel among all denominations.

They just dont have understanding of what that means.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by Rico

I may be in the minority here, but I can understand the church's decision. I will agree that maybe they should have investigated a little more first, but I think it came as a surprise to them to find out this fella was gay.

I had one of my pastors tell me that Michelle and I needed to get married legally, but then would not perform the ceremony for us, or let us use the church, because I had been married once before. It took me a long time to forgive him for doing that, but it just wasn't worth staying upset with him over.

Explain this please...

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I personally think the church was at fault because they could have sit down with the family and explained about the slides show. After all we bury saints and sinners it is God that does the final judging. I know we must protect and stand up for right but I think the church failed by saying they would and at the last minute saying no.
I did not mention this to Brother Alvear for his opinion but I think he would have sat down with the family and settled things from the start...However I do know that things sometimes take all of us by surprize...

That is what I think, too, Sis. Alvear.........That church might lose more credibility in the community by canceling the service than they would if they had gone ahead and conducted it with stipulations on content of slideshow, etc. Then, again, maybe it will gain credibility for some. People generally validate the credibility of what matches their perception of what is right and wrong. IF the family insisted on using the pictures/slide show, then the church had NO CHOICE but to cancel, I suppose.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by Rico

Do you get up and preach repentance at every funeral you host?

Nope....If I am preaching it...YES!!!!

99% of the funeral I "host" it is always said that death is a time to reflect on how short life is and how prepared we are to meet God.

ANY Pastor who does not use an "occupied" casket as a visual aid to help folks see the value of having your eternity settled, has missed one of the most powerful opportunities to reach a hurting, lost heart.

A Pastor needs to remember , they are dead....the funeral is for the family NOT the dead!

This church had the perfect opportunity to reach out to a hurting family no matter what the sins or secrets of the deceased were.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by Guy

What is going to happen eventually is that churches and pastors will end up doing funerals only for people they know personally or can check out very easily.

THATS I NOT MINISTRY!!!!!

Since when do you have to "qualify" the opportunity to minister to others?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by NLYP

Explain this please...

He would not perform a marriage ceremony for anyone who had been married and divorced, even if it happened pre-conversion. I have heard of other pastors that believe the same way, so what happened to my wife and I isn't uncommon.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by retsambeW

Maybe I don't remember correctly, but I believe the article did say there were pics of the man and his....well, whatever you call it, that were supposed to be in the funeral. I would have refused also. Now, if they did not insist on those pics, I would have had the service. I would not have considering the pics because it would have indicated I condoned the lifestyle. I most definitely do not.

I do not believe this will hurt the church at all.

Bro...who cares if it hurts the church....What about the family that is now very hurt BY THE CHURCH!

IMAGINE THAT!

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by retsambeW

Maybe I don't remember correctly, but I believe the article did say there were pics of the man and his....well, whatever you call it, that were supposed to be in the funeral. I would have refused also. Now, if they did not insist on those pics, I would have had the service. I would not have considering the pics because it would have indicated I condoned the lifestyle. I most definitely do not.

I do not believe this will hurt the church at all.

As Pastor, I do agree that a compromise would have been in order, but NOT a refusal because of the lifestyle alone.