There is a discussion on the board where one of our posters shares that he was invited to preach, but later found out it was an LGBT service. The question to other posters was, would you preach in such a service?
I appreciate him bringing his thoughts and questions to the board. It certainly makes for a good discussion.
Without hesitation, I would accept an invitation to preach at an LGBT service. Most of us have already preaced to people from that community. I'm sure that not everybody who attends our supposidly "normal" church services are what we think they are. Any of us who have pastored, know or have known precious moms and dads whose child or children got involved in with same-sex situations. Their pain fills our eyes with tears but our heart also goes out to the child.
Would I go preach to someone's lost son or daughter? Why wouldn't I? Most definitely, I would pray to be kind and loving enough that they would invite me back to preach some more. I have been to preach in prisons where there are lifestyles that would disturb anyone. I don't agree with those lifestyles either, but I would not hesitate to preach there.
God did not call us to only preach to church people.
Obiviously, there is a major difference in having some people of that persuasion in our church services, and going where all or nearly all are from that community.
What would I preach in an LGBT service? The last thing I would do in that setting is put the focus on gayness. Instead, I would preach Jesus, crucified, dead, buried, resurrected and coming again. I would preach about how Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. Why would I preach anything that would distract attention away from Him?
I would give an altar call and an opportunity to accept Christ. I would have a prayer line if possible - not push for it but would be ready in case the Holy Spirit was leading that way.
I would lay hands on them and pray that God would become the focus of their life. I would pray for the sick just like we do at church. In other words, I probably would not do much different than what we normally do in church.
I would especially pray that God would help me be so loving and kind, that they would want me to come back and preach again. Oh yes, if the time came and they began to ask questions about lifestyle, I would lovingly share, not what I think, but what the Bible says. The Bible is not easy on homosexuality but neither is it easy on hetrosexual adultery.
With all that is within me, I would seek to love them and care for their souls as much as I would if my children were involved in that lifestyle.
Dear Lord God, I pray that You will open doors for me to preach to those precious ones involved in lifestyles with which we disagree. I pray a heart of compassion for their souls, will form in me.
If I was pastoring and received such an invitation, I probably would take along a trusted member of the church. Before I went, I would ask the church people to pray with me for the souls of those to whom we are going to preach. Each church is a little different depending on the attitude of the people, but I would want them to know I had been invited to preach at a place where the LGBT community meets.
I would not go there as Rev, Dr, Bishop anybody.
I would just go as Doyle, a sinner saved by grace; a begger who was given the Bread of Life and is willing to share it with all those who are hungry for it.
THERE IS a reason I would not accept an invitation to preach at a LGBT service, If I was inticed by that lifestyle, tempted to be involved, I would decline an offer to preach in that setting. For example, if I was strongly tempted and drawn to liquor, I would not accept an invitation to preach in a bar.
That's my opinion. What's yours?
Doyle
writedoyle@gmail.com
404-933-1373
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The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.
Last edited by doyle on 8/27/16 12:28 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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8/18/16 5:22 pm
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ABSOLUTELY! I would preach at a LGBT service. God grant the opportunity.
