We've regularly had gay people attend, even couples. I've been asked to do gay weddings.
I think that's great. If gay people aren't welcome in our churches... where will they go? I'd rather see gay people in church with me learning about Jesus in the midst of their struggles or even their misunderstandings than in the shady sesspool of a world their subculture often dwells in. Let the sinners (remember we are sinners too) draw near. Come as you are... now is the time to worship!
Only question I have is... Have you performed any gay weddings? lol (I won't judge, I promise.)
So we agree that non Christians are in every church and that having non Christians present is a good thing, for it exposes them to the Word of God and the presence found in worship.
Here's a question...
Can a believer by a sincere born again Christian and not attend a "church"?
First, absolutely.
Second, yes....it is a GREAT thing to have non-Christians on the audience. I pray for the day when the majority of our audience are non-Christians. We're pretty close now.
I think that's great. If gay people aren't welcome in our churches... where will they go? I'd rather see gay people in church with me learning about Jesus in the midst of their struggles or even their misunderstandings than in the shady sesspool of a world their subculture often dwells in. Let the sinners (remember we are sinners too) draw near. Come as you are... now is the time to worship!
Standing ovation, both in your conclusions and your reasoning.
Well.... guess only well folk should EVER go inside a hospital!! "Could be a social club in there, btw, the parking lot is sooo full... Even the Dr's. are just practicing"
Somewhere I think I read. " IT'S THE SICK THAN NEED THE DOCTOR"
You always have good things to say, Bishop. You need to talk more!
Second, yes....it is a GREAT thing to have non-Christians on the audience. I pray for the day when the majority of our audience are non-Christians. We're pretty close now.
Some of the holiest men and women of God that I know only grace the doorways of a "church" on occasion. They've learned to live and walk very close to the Lord. They've even learned to hear him for themselves. One woman I know is absolutely astounding in her relationship with Jesus. You'd swear you were in the room with a prophetess... and she attends "church" once a quarter at best.
Sadly, some attend church whenever the doors are open. Yet they've never really cultivated a relationship with Jesus for themselves. Oh, they have deep relationships and responsiblities in the "church" but they'd be lost without their structure. And they can't hear God for themselves, they heavily lean on their pastor to hear from God for them. I wish they knew what they were missing.
Some of the holiest men and women of God that I know only grace the doorways of a "church" on occasion. They've learned to live and walk very close to the Lord. They've even learned to hear him for themselves. One woman I know is absolutely astounding in her relationship with Jesus. You'd swear you were in the room with a prophetess... and she attends "church" once a quarter at best.
Sadly, some attend church whenever the doors are open. Yet they've never really cultivated a relationship with Jesus for themselves. Oh, they have deep relationships and responsiblities in the "church" but they'd be lost without their structure. And they can't hear God for themselves, they heavily lean on their pastor to hear from God for them. I wish they knew what they were missing.
I whole-heartedly agree. I do believe that the local church CAN be a great thing that is greatly beneficial to people. I believe it is primarily beneficial in teaming up to reach those outside the line of faith and when it doesn't do that, it's worthless. Like I've heard Bill Hybels say numerous times, "There's nothing like the local church when the local church is working right."
Second, yes....it is a GREAT thing to have non-Christians on the audience. I pray for the day when the majority of our audience are non-Christians. We're pretty close now.
Awe, yes I agree. WITH one caveat though. If they do not stay unbelievers. If the majority stays unbelievers there is something very wrong somewhere.
If the single greatest goal is to bring them to Christ and see them born again - then I agree, having them attend is a GREAT thing.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
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