Church refuses to host funeral of gay man - Page 6

stmatthew · #51 08-14-2007, 07:30 PM

I think someone here should draft a letter (or email) of commendation to this man and his leaders from AFF for holding a standard against what any real Christian knows to be sin. I would put my name to it.

chosenbyone · #52 08-14-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I think someone here should draft a letter (or email) of commendation to this man and his leaders from AFF for holding a standard against what any real Christian knows to be sin. I would put my name to it.

Excellent idea...I would put my name on it too.

stmatthew · #53 08-14-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chosenbyone

Excellent idea...I would put my name on it too.

Who is our Wordsmith here??

seguidordejesus · #54 08-14-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Who is our Wordsmith here??

Where's Breachmender when you need him?

berkeley · #55 08-14-2007, 09:02 PM

Would someone be kind enough to summarize this thread for me..

thanks..

Rico · #56 08-14-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkeley

Would someone be kind enough to summarize this thread for me..

thanks..

Gay guy dies. Brother works at a church. Church offers to host funeral. Family brings pics of gay guy and lover. Church realizes dead guy is gay, cancels offer to host funeral, offers to pay for somewhere else to host. Family gets mad. Gays are in a tiffy now and making demons out of the church and pastor.

Falla39 · #57 08-14-2007, 11:47 PM

http://www.afa.net/hopechurchdallas.asp

Received this from AFA today!

Falla39

stmatthew · #58 08-15-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39

http://www.afa.net/hopechurchdallas.asp

Received this from AFA today!

Falla39

i moved the response to its own thread. Thanks for posting it!

Falla39 · #59 08-15-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmatthew

i moved the response to its own thread. Thanks for posting it!

Thanks, Bro. Matt!

Blessings,

Falla39

Thumper · #60 08-15-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Interesting to note they only host funerals for those who make it.

The church is at fault here.

Not enough checking before offering, and failure to follow through once offer was accepted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by becky123abc

I think the church was wrong to go back on their word. They told the family they would host the funeral, then they decided not to at the last minute...that's just wrong.

They could have said, "those pics aren't appropriate for the slide show" or whatever...but to dump em like that...that was bad.

They did provide the family with food and paid or offered to pay for them to use some other building...but it still seems wrong to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

In my mind, the fact that they DID provide food and offered to pay for the use of some other building, but refused to have the funeral in their own facility is just a double standard. What's this? He was good enough to spend their money on but not good enough for them to get their hands dirty working around?

Sis A, you are a woman of wisdom. You are right - the man is already dead. Now it is up to GOD to do the judging. Reaching out to his remaining family in Christian love is not anywhere near the same as saying to them that they condoned the man's sexual orientation. They certainly did have the right to refuse to put inappropriate pictures into the slide show and to refuse to discuss his sexual orientation during the service. But you know what? When I die, I hope no one discusses MY sex life at my funeral either!!! Why would that even need to come up??????

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLYP

THATS SAD!!!!
While we certainly dont condone the lifestyle...WE are suppose to be the church!

SAD INDEED!!!

The place probably would have been full of sinners and could have heard the gospel...or something!!!

Funerals are one of the few times you can get to sinners when they are willing to listen!!

DUMB MISTAKE!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chosenbyone

I would have to agree with Margie and NYLP that there was more than one error regarding this man's funeral. The damage to this man's family with how this whole situation was handled could very well have long reaching affects on their spiritual wellbeing. We are to love and be compassionate to others as Christ instructed and not treat others as the world would treat them.

What could have been used as an affective time to be a witness to bring comfort and salvation in a time of grief to that family was tragically spoiled by trying to save face for reasons only known by the leadership of that church.

The other tragedy was how this man was treated in death by a church that employed him. From all appearances, he died an unrepentant homosexual right in their very midst and the likelihood of his eternal state leaves little to doubt.

Very, very sad...

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Mark 12:30-33 NIV

Quote:

Originally Posted by chosenbyone

I don't think that the homosexual agenda (lobby) has any relevance with how this matter was handled. I viewed it as a failure of that church to not have known this man that they employed and his spiritual state. Perhaps, if someone would have gotten to know who was on their payroll, all of this could have been avoided.

What was most troubling was to see a family left bitter and angry with a negative impression of Christians. I hope that someone at that mega-church would reach out to them and not just completely toss them to the curb.

I think we should send this church a medal.