Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2019

Keywords

Interpersonal relations, Social acceptance, Mission of the church, Church work with sexual minorities

Abstract

"

The Bible clearly calls Christians to minister to, and to invite to discipleship, all persons in the world (Matt. 28:19, 20; Rev. 14:6). This includes persons who have sexual attractions that are outside the biblical design, whether they act on those desires or not. We do not have the option to ignore, reject, or marginalize them (nor should we do this to anyone else; all people are important to God). So the question becomes, how do we make room for everyone?

There are at least three levels of relationship that the church has with persons who struggle in the area of sexual expression. The order in which I present these levels is from what is probably the least controversial to the most. The first level involves the basic way we should relate to all human beings, the second discusses persons who are guests and attendees at church activities, and the third addresses official membership in the church organization. All three of these levels relate to how people belong to the community of faith."

Journal Title

Ministry: International Journal for Pastors

Volume

91

Issue

3

First Page

12

Last Page

14

First Department

Christian Ministry

Acknowledgements

FAR Report 2020

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