My church, St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, is a progressive, affirming, accepting, welcoming, biblical church. We even have a rainbow as one of our symbols! In today’s Christian jargon that is to some people a sign that we are backslidden degenerates and to others that we are just exactly the kind of modern contemporary church that today’s culture needs. It’s at that point the latter get confused. They discover that we are opposed to SSM, that we hold to the Bible’s teaching about homosexuality, and that we agree with Jesus that marriage is between a man and a woman. And lo and behold we are turned into demons. ‘Homophobic, unloving, judgemental bigots’ is the judgement made without a trace of irony.
Recently I was involved in a couple of those discussions where the superior ‘liberals’, the ones who just know they are right and everyone else is de facto wrong/unloving/unChristlike accused me and any church that did not accept their re-interpretation of the Bible, of not knowing any homosexuals, encouraging homophobic bullying, and being partially responsible for every transgender suicide! When I asked them to name any church they knew where homosexuals were bullied or not welcomed, they couldn’t. I found it interesting that all their examples were not the result of their personal experience and were vague and anecdotal, even at one stage being reduced to citing Westboro Baptists. Don’t get me wrong – I am sure that there are churches and professing Christians whose attitude and behaviour towards homosexuals is something they need to repent of, but I am getting tired of every Bible believing Christian being tarred with the same homophobic brush, when the evidence often suggests otherwise.
I was asked if I had any homosexuals in my own congregation or the churches I knew and what their experience was. And there was my dilemma – I know plenty but how could I give personal examples without breaching pastoral confidences? I don’t discuss other people’s personal issues in public. And then along came Tom, who greatly helped by posting the following:
“As a teenager I assumed that Christianity was homophobic based on what I saw on the news. I actually thought the Westborough Baptist Church was typical for the US South and that the US South was what ‘real Christianity’ was like. I was the LGBT officer in my student union and the bisexual officer in the LGBT Association. However since becoming a Christian (over 7 years ago) I have never felt excluded or hated. Quite the opposite, the church is an incredible place of love and support. Just in case there is any confusion, I’m talking about evangelical, reformed churches here. Not liberal churches which ‘love’ by telling saying ‘believe what you like, do what you feel, you’re fine just as you are’. The doctrine that we are all sinners in need of grace, and the atonement achieved by the cross, has a levelling and equalising effect. It means we can associated with anyone from any background without being afraid, or patronising, or ashamed. Gay and straight people alike are equally sinful and can be made equally righteous by the Lord. Praise God I had Christians in my life who shared with me the gospel and didn’t just affirm me where I already was!
“PS I’ve seen much more homophobia, ‘gay’ jokes, talking about ‘poofters’ etc., in the secular work place than I ever have in the church.”
I asked Tom if I could use his post and he agreed and added the following, which is also very helpful:
“It really annoys me when ‘liberal’ Christians…claim that evangelical churches are homophobic. It isn’t true but because it gets repeated so often people assume it’s true (as I did when I was a teenager) and it does them great harm by keeping them away from the Gospel. The slander against Christians is one thing but the impact it has on teenagers and others is wicked. There is no better place for the lonely, the hurting and the confused to go than Christ and his church. How evil then, to keep people away from it by telling them ‘don’t go near them, they hate you’.”
What was interesting is that the ‘Christian’ who posted the original accusations against me being ‘unloving’ etc, removed many of his posts and Tom’s as well. I think Tom’s testimony is far more eloquent than anything I could write but let me add the following explanation of why I claim that St Peter’s is a progressive, affirming, accepting, welcoming, biblical church.
Biblical. That is of course where we should all start. Christ is the Head of the Church. It’s his. He bought it with his own blood. We are his bride. We may be ugly but we are being beautified and made ready for the wedding feast of the Lamb. Our primary concern therefore is not what the culture or society thinks, or even our own comfort and needs, our primary concern is for his glory. Jesus is our raison d’etre. What he says we will do. Where he goes we will follow. We are Christians – his ones. We believe his Word. And on the subject of gender, humanity, sexuality and marriage, that word is crystal clear. Jesus taught that marriage is between a man and a woman and I have no intention of telling him he got it wrong! I don’t care what politician, pope, pastor or pseudo-scholar says – we ain’t moving from the Word of God. Pick ‘n’ mix Christianity is not following Christ.
Welcoming. We believe the Bible we welcome everyone. Paedophiles, pharisees, perverts, prostitutes and priests are all welcome. I mean that. All those individuals have been in congregations I have pastored, and they are welcome. Why? Because all are sinners just like us and all need to hear the Good news that there is redemption, forgiveness and new life in Christ. One of my older elders used to stand at the door and tell passers by, “Come in, come in, and meet the bride, we will do you good!” The language was quaint and strange, but the sentiment and theology spot on!
Accepting. We don’t just welcome in the kind of ‘handshake, come to our meeting’ way. We also accept people as they are – human beings made in the image of God. But fallen human beings. Each of us has identity issues. Each of us is a rebel. Each of us is plagued by a human heart that is “desperately wicked and deceitful about all things”. Each of us is a hell bound, hopeless hypocrite. And for each of us there is good news beyond what we can imagine. I think of the woman who came to my previous church who before she was outed by a major national newspaper as a man (she was a political candidate of a party which the newspaper did not support) told me her story. This was in a small Highland village and when I told the elders of my small Presbyterian church, I wondered what their reaction would be. They looked at me as though I was mad. “What’s the problem? She is a sinner the same as the rest of us and needs the gospel the same as the rest of us”. Biblical theology is so liberating!
Affirming. We go even further. We don’t just welcome. We don’t just accept. We also affirm. Now there is of course an immediate qualification. We don’t affirm people in their sin. We affirm them in their humanity, in their being made in the image of God. Because of that we challenge their sin. We love them too much to leave them where they are. We want to bring them to Christ because we affirm them as more than just a bag of chemicals imprisoned in their bodies. I have never met a human being who I could not affirm in some way or other. And I have never met a human being who did not need radical change!
Progressive. While affirming we do not want to leave people where they are. We want them to progress. To move towards the Kingdom of God. We don’t want people to discover themselves; we want them to discover Christ. It is only then will they truly know themselves. When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
The trouble is that far too many churches have compromised with the culture and turned away from the Lordship of Christ. They have reversed the order. They begin with being ‘progressive’ and that means conforming with the culture, letting the devil dictate the church’s agenda. They have to affirm whatever the culture says is acceptable. They accept not only people but also their sins. They welcome those who buy into the cultural norms. You will note that they cannot welcome everyone; racists, homophobes and redneck fundamentalists are among those who need not apply! It is only the radical biblical teaching about sin and Christ that enables us to welcome and proclaim the gospel to everyone!
Some people will say I am just playing with words. Trying to turn things on their head. No – I am being deadly serious. Those who are playing with words are those who start with the desire to be seen as ‘progressive’ and end up redefining the word ‘biblical’ so that it becomes a meaningless and confusing cliché. They are those who twist the scriptures and squirm over its plain meaning, seeking to confuse the people and cause doubts so that their ‘expertise’ becomes the sole authority. When you believe in the Bible what you like, and leave out what you don’t like; it’s not the Bible you believe, but yourself. May the Lord grant that we would all be biblical, welcoming, accepting, affirming and progressive churches – in that order!
This article first appeared on Christian Today – you can read the full article and links/illustrations here –
One only has to look at comments here over the last few days to see how the label of bigot or bully can be thrown about easily and offenses given and taken. Whether ti be a vitriolic evangelical, an intolerant liberal or a militant secularist, all can contribute to discussions negatively. As mentioned, not one of us is perfect or without sin.
Of course biblically there are the righteous and the sinners – there is good as well as the bad in all of us. Sometimes the perceived righteous are sinful and sometimes the perceived “sinner” is being righteous as religious culture of the time is turned upside down by Jesus.
It’s encouraging in the midst of all the mud slinging to read of Tom finding love and support, never excluded or hated. How great is it to be free to be with folks from any background without being afraid, patronised, or ashamed.
The problem is, of course, your interpretation of biblical is not the same as someone else and I have seen plenty of missives on this blog from yourself to others who take a different point of view of the bible from you. You accuse others of deviating from the bible as much as you are accused of it. Of course, I don’t have a horse in this race but it is interesting to watch.
You say you have a welcoming Church. I have no reason to doubt that but the problem is that you act against the hopes and aspirations of people who have no desire to cross the threshold of your church. You seek to restrict what society can offer people who disagree with you. As I have said, your belief and theology is your own (even if you don’t defend your theological positions when I ask about them) but you need to stop trying to reach into the lives of those who are not your flock and let them live the lives they want. Be welcoming and caring for those who come to you seeking that but recognise the distress you cause when you reach out to people in ways they don’t want you to.
And yet Douglas you also reach into the lives of others….you don’t operate on a complete laissez faire view of society. The only difference with us is where we draw the line and the basis for that…
Thank you for a very inspiring and encouraging writing. Due to some family who are homosexual I am very interested in the way we as church related and reach out to them. I agree with you that we need to affirm them as humans created in the image of God and should challenge their sin and lead them to Christ. My question is now that they’ve repented and become part of a local church and not involved in homosexual anymore should they also receive counseling and therapy to rid them from their homosexual orientation and desires – so that they could be healed and become heterosexual? I have heard some christian ministers say it is actually cruel to try to change them. I’ll be most grateful for sincere response from you and others.
The question is very complex – in general I think it is unwise and may even cause harm to try to change someone’s sexual orientation. It may be that there are people who can change and are very mixed up…but there are also those who, for whatever reason, are by nature homosexual. I know many Christians who are gay and celebate (as there are many hetrosexuals) and happy and content in the Lord…that is what we should all be looking for.!
Just introduce them to the Holy Spirit, He is the Master Changer. Teach them prayers as well, changes do occur when people prays with all their heart
I could name more than a few churches in Glasgow where they are not welcome, all you have to do is ask and i will post the names on here.
I Have a friend who nearly Committed Suicide because of his Sexuality and his Christian Belief,
Please Listen to My thoughts and by The Holy Spirits Leading feel free to get back to me on this!
In Genesis it says God made Man and that He saw that it was not good that Man was alone!
So it says God then made Woman as a partner for Man.
All BEFORE the Fall
Then AFTER the Fall Man and Woman Are Sinners!
MY QUESTION!
God Says it’s NOT Good that MAN IS ALONE!
Ok So WHAT Does The Church Offer to those Who become Christians but have Same Sex Orientation!?
If Heterosexuals Can have a Partner to Help there Loneliness and Need of Another, then Do we Suggest to Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ that Have Same Sex Orientation to Live on their Own And Live with What as a Heterosexual Christian Couldn’t!?
The Church Seems to Offer Sunday Services, Possibly a Mid Week Small Group, So How Do I Tell a LGBT Brother or Sister to Go home and Grin and Bare it? While I Look Fprward to Going Home to My Partner!
FULL GOSPEL… Without Healing or Deliverence?
It Doesn’t Seem Super or Natural to Me.
David.
Aberdeen
David – thanks….What if I told you that I had a friend who did commit suicide because of his adultery and Christian belief? Would that negate the Christian teaching about adultery?
You seem to be associating sex and loneliness…I’m afraid that that is buying into the narrative of this world ….it would mean that Jesus and Paul were very lonely people who were not fully fulfilled as human beings. Sex doesnt’ end loneliness…indeed our societies attitude towards sex actually increases it…
What does the church have to offer? Christ. Nothing more…nothing less.
Erm, No Sorry if that’s How you perceive my Questioning,
Not Sure HOW? You Jumped to Sex and Loneliness!
God Himself Declared it wasn’t good that Man was alone.
Jesus Christ was his Son without Sin so I Can’t see how Loneliness for Another Human being would be an Issue for Jesus when Jesus himself had to Commune with His Father a Place where not even his Disciples could touch that only His father Could.
Paul Could have been Given the Gift of Singleness.
However My Question and Concern is for the Many LGBT People who Testify that they Have No Change in their Attraction to their Own Sex and that they feel they Are Alone in the Church in a Way Heterosexual Christians Will Never Understand.
As to your friend taking his own life because of Adultery?
I’m not sure what comfort that had to offer himself or his fellow Christians.
Am I to Believe God was Happy that he took his life?
Was it Needed for his Salvation?
I am Not of the Free Church Background.
I Wonder therefore if it is such teachings of the free Church that Christs Sacrifice on the Cross isn’t Sufficient for Mans Sins Past-Present and Future.
I Also Read in Scripture that there is only one unforgiveable sin, I feel sad that your friend thought Adultery was a Sin too far.
Amazeing Grace We Sing…….And We End it with TIS Grace has Brought Me safe thus far And Grace WILL See Me Home.
My Enquiry was as to How your body of Christ Comforts LGBT Christians that Are Struggling with being Single And Not having Any Change in their Orientation towards the Opposite Gender.
I’m Wondering if your Answer is the Usual,
Pray and Give thanks about it.
Forgive me if i’m wrong but in My Experience i’m told this is their Experience.
Regards
David
I’m sorry that you havn’t understood a single one of my answers. You will forgive me not making any more responses – I really don’t have the time to repeat myself to someone who doesn’t understand and continually misrepresents. everything seems to be about your experience…and little about the Word of God. A Christian asks – what does Christ say? End of story. Christ tells us that marriage is between a man and a woman. Anyone who teaches otherwise in the name of Christ is a false teacher.
G Wizz, and your a Minister………
Well Actualy i agree with Marriage being between a Man and a woman and i know plenty of LGBT People who agree also.
The Bible also says By His stripes we are healed.
But i know many Christians who suffer with physical or mental health issues.
You Come across as a very Angry Aggressive Guy.
Even taking the World to task over the poster issue.
When it Comes to the Church being Questioned about Preaching a Full Gospel that isn’t a Full Gospel then the Church avoids the Answer while Still proclaiming Unconditional Love with plenty of Conditions Expected along the way.
I’m Not a Scot but from My conversations with many Scots i have a Picture of what the So-called Free? Church is like So i Guess i’m not that Surprised by your ‘ i havn’t the time etc,
What would Christ Say to Someone? Well i’m sure he would tell them he is the way and would heal them or set them free.
I Don’t think he would take on a world that wasn’t His Kingdom.
So much aggression….so much judgementalism….so much gossip….you havn’t a clue what my church is like, nor what I am like but you still free fit to make pronouncements and judgements?! As for angry and aggressive – read your own posts! But most of all I would suggest that you vent your anger and judgementalism elsewhere…or if you are going to comment on here – try to get some information first so that your comments are informed….thanks…