From a concerned church member

In case you may be stumbling across my blog and don't know me, I am a member of a United Methodist Church in North Carolina. The state conference of UM leaders is meeting here in Greenville this week. I actually was at a hotel where some were meeting today. For some reason, it really excites me to be around people planning and trying to catch a vision for what God is doing. I guess it must remind me of the good ol' days at Campus Crusade conferences. It was just so awesome to be surrounded by other believers really seeking after God and seeking to catch a vision to then take home and implement.

But anyways, on to tonight's main topic. One issue up for discussion (should be voted on tomorrow) is whether individual congregations should be allowed to deny membership to someone in an openly homosexual relationship. This follows a pastor in Virginia being reassigned after denying membership to someone living in a homosexual relationship.

This has me very concerned. If someone is living in an openly homoesexual relationship, that shows no sign of repentance for the sin of homosexuality. That seems to contradict the vows of membership where someone claims to turn away from sin and towards God. I have a hard time believing a truly regenerate person could be living in a sinful lifestyle like this with absolutely no repentance or desire to change. I'm not singling out gays here; I'd have the same issue if this was over couple living together outside of marriage, adulterers, etc. The problem here is that the church is supposed to be a Body of believers. If the church is prevented from denying membership to those in openly sinful lifestyles, then the church becomes infused with non-believers and wanders away from its purpose.

So, I'm following this story and hope the leaders make the right (God-honoring decision).

-JRO