Homosexuality

Politics, media, Churches, schools, America is talking about homosexuality.  Society and culture is hard at work seeking to integrate, mainstream, and make homosexual behavior acceptable and moral.  Others walk around holding signs assigning all those who commit homosexual acts immediately to hell.

This issue is becoming the lighting rod issue for the Church of today.  Is homosexuality genetic?  Is it acceptable for Christian behavior?  Should the Church approve of it?  Should homosexual ministers be ordained?  Denominations have split over this issue. Churches have split.  People have left going in different directions, some toward Churches who approve and some toward Churches that disapprove. The culture is in great stress because of this issue

First, in my way of thinking, it is not about homosexuality as orientation, but behavior as moral or immoral.  The Bible proclaims a clear, consistent, moral value, “any sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman is inappropriate!”  Homosexual behavior is an act that goes against Biblical teaching.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:24, 27, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, Deuteronomy 5:18, and Luke 18:20.  Sexual morality is one of the clearest distinctions that direct Christian behavior.  Humanity therefore is not divided by sexual orientation, but is divided by the moral codes we live by.  The moral code of scripture is clear, sexual purity within and outside of marriage is a challenge to be lived.

The United Methodist Book of Discipline states
“Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth…We do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching…we commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons….Ministers are not to perform same sex ceremonies in or outside of our Churches…Those who practice homosexuality cannot be ordained in the United Methodist Church…In society we are committed to equal rights for all persons.”

These words from our Churches policy book, approved by General Conference a Church wide event held every four years make it clear what our stand on homosexuality is about.  We serve all people regardless of orientation but do not affirm homosexual behavior.

The First United Methodist Church of Mansfield is dedicated to celebrating the Biblical truths, upholding The Book of Discipline’s guidelines, and loving and serving all people.  In a world where media, entertainment, and politics decide the morals of culture, we are determined to be directed by the Biblical mandates of right and wrong, good and bad.  We are committed to teaching these moral truths as consistently as possible.  We are committed to loving all people.  We believe in equal rights and justice for all in our society regardless of sexual orientation.  Homosexual persons are welcomed and loved in our Church, as are all people, though we do not approve of homosexual practices or any sexual relationships outside of marriage between a man and a woman.  Those who live the homosexual lifestyle are welcome in our Church as are many others who choose to live a lifestyle outside the bounds of Biblical moral teaching.