Re: Gays In the Church
There must be a statement of ministry that all employees and volunteers (pastors, nursery workers, janitors, secretaries, Sunday School teachers, youth workers, etc. etc.) are required to read and sign prior to employment or volunteering. The person should be given a copy of this after they signed it. (The original should be kept in their personnel file and yes, "volunteers" should have a personnel file as well!)
As long as it clearly explains what the church stands for and what is accepted and what is not, the church can clearly dismiss from ministry any employee/volunteer who doesn't abide by those guidelines. This should list everything from drug use to fornication to adultery to child molestation to the "minor" non-Biblical standards your church requires (jewelery, make-up, hair length, dress code, etc. etc). If the church currently does not have such a statement of ministry, they can implement it and have current employees/volunteers sign. As long as the prospective employee/volunteer understands and is aware of it, and the items are clearly listed, it will stand up in a court of law - IF the employee has signed and dated it.
Christian Law Association is a great resource for information regarding protecting your ministries!
Many secular corporations use something similar regarding tattoos, piercings, hair length for men, and dress codes for both men and women - and courts respect it - as long as it can be proven that the person knew about the guidelines upon accepting employment.
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
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