C-Mail
I think everyone should be in church and I welcome gay people to come to church, but not as a pastor or to hold an office in the church. Everyone should be reading God’s word and studying the writing of Paul. If the United Methodists do this, I think people will leave the roots of their church and start going to another church. We are here to teach the words of Jesus, not to take away from it and add what we think.
We are in a war with "Jesus" being taken out of everything there is in this country, and we should be very worried about the Muslims who are taking the world over and get back to word of God and stand for our beliefs in Jesus Christ.
Peggy Rice
McCarty UMC
Johnson City District
Jean Henderson's comments in “The Call” are correct and homosexuality should not be the spotlight at the General Conference. [“Henderson on General Conference: Biggest issue, once again, in homosexuality,” April 23 edition] There are more pressing topics that are in need of attention. The homosexuality matter is settled by the Bible, and here is strong evidence. New International Version states in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Don't you know the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor swindlers shall inherit the Kingdom Of God."
Do United Methodist people want the above mentioned in leadership? At present there is a movement by the homosexuals to be accepted, but the facts are in Romans 1: 26-28 God has given them over to shameful lust. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones, in the same way men abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion and were given over to a depraved mind. This is a perfect picture of the actions of a practicing homosexual as taken from the Bible.
It is plain to see if there is no repentance they will be outside the Kingdom Of God, and that is a place no thinking person would want to be.
Charles Oakes
Allen Memorial UMC
Cleveland District
Thank you for your interview of Jean Henderson, head of the Holston delegation to General Conference in Pittsburgh. I have just a few comments regarding the article.
First, I wish to thank Ms. Henderson for her statements defending the denomination’s traditional views on scripture, particularly as it relates to homosexuality. Also, it was encouraging that all of the notes and comments she has received have supported the church’s stance and position regarding homosexuality.
I also echo the thought that the big issue facing the denomination should not be homosexuality. God settled that issue long ago in his Holy Word. It is deplorable that a church that purports to represent him is still grappling with this issue.
However, I want to suggest to Ms. Henderson that there is a direct link to the UMC’s failure to uphold scriptural Christianity and the decline in membership and the lack of souls saved. The issue is more than homosexuality; it is the authority of God’s Word. Dilute, dismiss, or dismember the Bible and we have nothing transformational or supernatural to offer souls weighed down with the bondage of sin.
I look forward to taking part in the prayer vigil for General Conference in the Big Stone Gap District. May almighty God bless our churches, our pastors, our communities and families, and our nation.
Rob Moore
Trinity UMC
Big Stone Gap District
I was deeply saddened and concerned when Jean Henderson announced the biggest issue at General Conference will again be homosexuality. Personally, I believe the biggest issue everyday in United Methodism is whether or not we will continue our gospel mandate and Wesleyan heritage of spreading scriptural holiness across the land. Holiness is seeking a less sinful lifestyle of following Jesus Christ. When this is at the center of all we do instead of culturally mandated pursuits, we see the kingdom of God furthered and the Great Commission lived out. We see the hungry fed, the stranger welcomed, the naked clothed – with funds not spent studying how the culture is responding to various issues.
Holy is set apart. That means being different in a Christ-like way. Claiming Christ exclusively as the way to God is currently not popular. Yet it is at the heart of whom we have always been. We have the scripture and our Book of Discipline to give us guidance. When will we all be content to follow their guidelines in practice of ministry and mission? Secondly, who will hold accountable those who ignore what they interpret to be unacceptable? Let us pray that homosexuality will not be the biggest issue even though we know it is important.
Rev. Curt McKee
Jones Memorial UMC
Chattanooga District
----------
Got something to say? Visit our Holston Talk page or write a letter to the editor of The Call.
top |
|
