Ruth181
Posts: 54
Joined: 2/1/2007
Status: offline
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I go to a Reformed Church. They are contemplating implementing a what they call a "welcoming statement" which says:
In response to God’s unconditional love for all people made known to us in Jesus Christ, we are
called to be a welcoming and affirming community.
The First Church in Albany includes
young and old,
families, couples and singles,
rich and poor,
persons of various races, ethnicities, backgrounds,
sexual orientations and gender identities,
differing physical and mental abilities,
believers and seekers.
We welcome into the full life of the church all those whom God sends us.
Centered in Christ, we commit ourselves to breaking down dividing walls
and to building a community where all are loved.
As you might surmise, my main concern is the "affirming" part of the statement which to me means approval, of people of various sexual orientations and gender identities. And welcoming them into the "full life of the church" - I asked what that meant and the minister sent me a copy of the notes that have been taken at the meetings. It means they will be allowed to marry and have children baptized in our church. As far as the affirming part, the minister quoted several bible verses that showed that God does not disapprove of homosexuality.
I am totally confused. I haven't attended church, other than Easter and Christmas Eve, in about 3 years. Mostly because I do not like this minister or his style of preaching. He does not preach what is in the bible and does not teach people how they should live. My children still go to Sunday school there and youth group, not taught by the minister.
This is the church I grew up in. The church where I was married and all my babies baptized. I want my church back, but I feel they are going down the wrong road.
How do your churches handle the issues of homosexuality and transgendered people? I feel that they should feel welcome to attend church with the rest of us sinners, but I try to be made aware of my sin and sin no more - living a homosexual lifestyle is not to "go and sin no more".
Am I way off base here? Should I just shut up since I am not really an active member at the moment, or is now the time to speak up?
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