Should churches accept members who are homosexual?

So often believers do not want to address the topic of homosexuality in churches, because of their concern of mission creep…or the notion that once you open one door of Pandora’s Box it may cause a chain reaction of events leading to the collapse of the overall integrity of the local church.  In other words, many churches fear that if you allow any perception of acceptance concerning homosexuality, you are trying to open the doors and set the groundwork for activist groups to expand their progressive views into the church – which has already happened in different churches and denominations.

 

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul taught against sexual immorality with the words, “…a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” and believers should “…not to associate with sexually immoral people.” (I Corinthians 5:7, 9 NIV)  Does this mean that churches and believers completely avoid any discussions about homosexuality or associations with people who practice such things?  What about people, who are going to church to find answers about homosexuality or who may have friends and family members who may be gay or lesbian?

Well, should any church even be concerned about the issue of homosexuality impacting their churches?  Realistically, if a church has a governing structure where the whole congregation or selected group of leaders can vote on doctrinal changes to the church, any new supermajority voting group can have a major impact on the voting trends and future direction of the church, whether positive or negative.  What happens if a small church decides to bring in a larger majority of its new members from the gay and lesbian community, who may have a possible interest in making the church accept their lifestyle?  In reality this happens, just look at the example of the Episcopal Church in voting to accept openly gay and lesbian clergy/members.  The same principle can apply to church sponsored groups too, such as several leaders from the Boy Scouts of America recently voting to allow openly gay scouts within their troops.

   

One of the most important things believers need to remember is differentiating between the issues of sin and the people involved in sinful behaviors.  The issue is not necessarily people who are gay and lesbian, but rather the practice of homosexuality.  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he explains the importance of why believers should stay focused on confronting issues, not necessarily people, as he quotes the words of King David – “In your anger do not sin….” (Psalms 4:4 NIV)

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  ‘In your anger do not sin’.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  (Ephesians 4:25-27 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

Obviously, churches and believers need to confront the sin of homosexuality.  Otherwise, without accountability, churches and organizations can fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, while possibly ignoring and/or forgetting about their basic founding principles found in the Word of God.  In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he clarifies why churches should remove and separate themselves from any members who have the audacity to call themselves believers, while openly advocating any type of sinful behavior – to include sexual immorality – with the following words.

“But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.  With such a man do not even eat.” (I Corinthians 5:11 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that churches are not to accept believers who are openly gay or lesbian, or advocates for any other sinful behavior, into its membership.  However, in no way does this mean that churches should excommunicate every person who may have homosexual tendencies…especially those who are seeking out churches in their spiritual journey to learn more about God’s love.  On the contrary, churches should embrace people from the gay and lesbian community and treat them as people, while at the same time not condoning their lifestyle or compromising the teachings found in the Word of God.