A Sign of the Times?

[Praxeas]

Is this worsening American immorality and spiritual darkness or is this enlightenment? Just how far are we from God as a "Christian Nation"? Maybe this is one reason why Muslims hate us and want to change us. What are we Christians to do about this? Just grumble?
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A woman who has served as minister at St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore for five years has been re-appointed to the position – as a man, according to church officials.

Ann Gordon/Drew Phoenix
The announcement came at the Baltimore-Washington annual conference of the UMC, where the former Ann Gordon announced the change to Drew Phoenix, and talked of a "spiritual transformation" since the sex change procedure.

The move was not without challenge. Some ministers asked for a "ruling of law," a move which automatically takes the issue to the church organization's highest court, the Judicial Council, which will be meeting next in October. The church denomination "officially" disapproves of homosexual behavior, but has no explicit policy regarding sexual identity changes or sex change operations, officials said. Gordon/Phoenix' congregation is among those that support what the members call the "reconciling" movement within the church, and campaigns to reject the church's traditional biblical teachings on marriage and sexual ethics.


Mark Tooley, director of the UMAction, a part of the Institution on Religion and Democracy, said gender, however, isn't a choice but a reality. "The church's calling is to facilitate healing, not echo the secular culture's mantras about 'diversity,'" he said.

The church's website notes that the group is inclusive and diverse.
"We embrace our differences as holy expressions of God's inclusive love for all creation. Our diversity reflects the many facets of God's creation in our age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status, work and educational experience, physical and mental abilities, and spiritual needs," the statement said. "Different though we are, we share a faith in a creative Spirit that urges us toward maturity, wisdom, responsibility."
Tooley said the decision announced by Bishop John Schol should trigger a full evaluation of the Bible's teachings. "UM Action is calling for legislation at the 2008 General Conference of The United Methodist Church to fully address the issue of sexual identity change," he said. "The decision to reappoint the former Rev. Gordon to St. John's church in Baltimore, with no wider discussion in the church, sets a troubling precedent."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=55880

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Is this worsening American immorality and spiritual darkness or is this enlightenment? Just how far are we from God as a "Christian Nation"? Maybe this is one reason why Muslims hate us and want to change us. What are we Christians to do about this? Just grumble?
------

A woman who has served as minister at St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore for five years has been re-appointed to the position – as a man, according to church officials.

Ann Gordon/Drew Phoenix
The announcement came at the Baltimore-Washington annual conference of the UMC, where the former Ann Gordon announced the change to Drew Phoenix, and talked of a "spiritual transformation" since the sex change procedure.

The move was not without challenge. Some ministers asked for a "ruling of law," a move which automatically takes the issue to the church organization's highest court, the Judicial Council, which will be meeting next in October. The church denomination "officially" disapproves of homosexual behavior, but has no explicit policy regarding sexual identity changes or sex change operations, officials said. Gordon/Phoenix' congregation is among those that support what the members call the "reconciling" movement within the church, and campaigns to reject the church's traditional biblical teachings on marriage and sexual ethics.


Mark Tooley, director of the UMAction, a part of the Institution on Religion and Democracy, said gender, however, isn't a choice but a reality. "The church's calling is to facilitate healing, not echo the secular culture's mantras about 'diversity,'" he said.

The church's website notes that the group is inclusive and diverse.
"We embrace our differences as holy expressions of God's inclusive love for all creation. Our diversity reflects the many facets of God's creation in our age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status, work and educational experience, physical and mental abilities, and spiritual needs," the statement said. "Different though we are, we share a faith in a creative Spirit that urges us toward maturity, wisdom, responsibility."
Tooley said the decision announced by Bishop John Schol should trigger a full evaluation of the Bible's teachings. "UM Action is calling for legislation at the 2008 General Conference of The United Methodist Church to fully address the issue of sexual identity change," he said. "The decision to reappoint the former Rev. Gordon to St. John's church in Baltimore, with no wider discussion in the church, sets a troubling precedent."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=55880

How far down the slippery slope can our society slide before we are labelled as harmful to society and criminals?

[Thad]

i read about this yesterday.

there is an associate Pastor at a famous church in Oakland famous for thier music that is going thru a sex change. It's unbelievable.


I think things have to get much worse for americans to awaken Prax.
as long as the comforts are in place no one is going to budge.


I did hear about the charismatics meeting in nashville in July.
they are calling it " the call" . they are meeting to pray for revival
for America -expecting 100,000 at the titans stadium. I do commend them for at least trying

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Thad

i read about this yesterday.

there is an associate Pastor at a famous church in Oakland famous for thier music that is going thru a sex change. It's unbelievable.


I think things have to get much worse for americans to awaken Prax.
as long as the comforts are in place no one is going to budge.


I did hear about the charismatics meeting in nashville in July.
they are calling it " the call" . they are meeting to pray for revival
for America -expecting 100,000 at the titans stadium. I do commend them for at least trying

I believe it is coming. I feel God leading me to pray in this direction. I only hope God can awaken the sleeping Giant called the Church without persecution and tragedy but that seems to be the only time Christian awaken out of their slumber