A Word of Warning to a Gay-Approving Nashville Church and Beyond
“What men build with their gifting, they tear down with their character.” Character is made by what you stand for and reputation by what you fall for.
3. Warning for posterity. When I visited the Nashville church in question, what struck me and hurt me the most was seeing impressionable and vulnerable young people walking around, absorbing false teaching that can shape the rest of their lives. I could have burst into tears as I pondered what happens to future generations who hear heretical teaching; see examples contrary to godly leadership; and watch a pastor in the pulpit repeatedly point out and affirm a gay man who is in a same-sex “marriage” relationship.
God’s requirements for church leadership are outlined in the New Testament and state clearly the man must be “the husband of but one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2), not one gay partner. Yet this church says leadership is now open to include gays.
“Full privileges are extended now to you (gays and lesbians) with the same expectations of … holiness … fidelity … godliness … .” What message is being sent to observing children and young people?
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).
If churches do not remain faithful to biblical standards on sexuality, the younger generation will drift further into the throes of confusion regarding sexual identity, the sanctity of marriage and the institution of family as God ordained it.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that the church is the conscience of society. When God’s order is disregarded, it leads to the downward spiral explained by Paul to the people of Rome who experienced eventual decline:
“Therefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves. They turned the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged the natural function for what is against nature. Likewise the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men with men doing that which is shameful, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Rom. 1:24-28).
Here’s the deal: “Marriage is to be honored among everyone, and the bed undefiled. But God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers” (Heb. 13:4). May all of us heed this warning and model for a generation both a declaration and demonstration of God’s unchanging truth.
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with more than 41 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview (see ‘Is Gay OK? 10 Things Everyone Needs to Know’ now on YouTube). He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit larrytomczak.com.
