This is strictly a hypothetical question. I have not seen or heard of any situation like this. If you were a youth leader or minister to youth attending your group how would you treat a known (self admitted) gay teenage, be they male or female? I have been pondering this in my mind since I heard Ex Ohio Governor John Kasich remarks when ask about gays on the Republican Debate on Fox News Channel last week. His answer was interesting.
Gay teenagers
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Berean, Aug 13, 2015.
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Their sexual orientation isn't a sin.
They are without a doubt struggling with the same things that the heterosexual teens are. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
A major concern would be that they would promote their lifestyle to the other teens. There would be some boundaries set for them. Other than that they would be welcome.
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Our Rev. Mitchell is right about this issue!
I've worked with young people who are nearing their puberity years where they're beginning to "think about and/or even engage in very questionable practices," often without their parents' knowledge, much less their consent.
While some of their "wondering" is normal for children of that age--which is getting younger & younger all the time [Some authorities have indicated that in some cases they've known of even some kindergarten-aged children engaged in this "exploring".], parents need to be especially alert & monitor their childrens' time on internet-based social media like Facebook or Twitter, or U Tube.
Most of you have already seen/heard TV news items about what some children who're younger than "the age of consent to marry" sending/receiving so-called S---Ting images to their school boyfriends/girlfriends "just for kicks."
While there are some church-based ministers who are brave enough to confront their congregation's parents of underaged children about the need to be aware of this ever-growing problem, it's the parents themselves who'll one day be held in account in God's eyes for how effectively they reared their children in "the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord" [Eph. 6:4b]. -
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The answer is always the same no matter the sin or the sinner....give them Jesus Jesus and more Jesus.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Heterosexual teens are already being taught not to have sex outside of marriage. They do not have to be taught that sex and marriage is only between one man and one woman. Also, those teens are not trying to come into churches to push a political agenda.
Homosexuals are working to come into churches to push their ungodly political positions. We need to be careful of who we let in our churches to influence others.
Are we inconsistent on how we handle heterosexual sin and homosexual sin? I believe we are and that is what is needed. The reason is if you limit your comparison to simply what is sin then you can insist on consistency. However, if we move the comparison father along such consistency is in fact impossible.
The reason it is impossible is because there is not a nationwide political agenda to make adultery acceptable. There is not a nationwide agenda to put people out of business if they do not participate in adultery by making celebratory cakes for it.There is not a nationwide agenda move into churches and make then take on policies and doctrine that support adultery.
Now ignoring this nationwide agenda in order to be able to keep the comparison on an inappropriate level is not helpful. -
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And what do heterosexual teens being taught not to have sex outside of marriage have to do with anything? They are STILL doing it in great numbers and encouraging others to do the same.
You think the gay teens haven't been taught that they aren't supposed to have sex before marriage by their parents?
The MAJORITY of teens having sex before marriage in the church have been taught to not have sex before marriage.
So again, who do the boundaries REALLY need to be set for? Christians just need to admit that we have a double standard when it comes to heterosexual vs homosexual sex practices, as you have demonstrated.
It's unChristlike.
Why is the influence of the homosexual teens being placed before all of that?
Again, there are far more heterosexual teens encouraging each other to "hook up" than there are homosexuals "turning folks" to just try it. IS there equal concern for that?
You completely ignored what the heterosexual teens are already doing and encouraging others to do because that's not as big a pet issue with you or a lot of the church.
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As I have posted before, we should not consider individuals as "gay teenagers" but as "teenagers who advocate homosexual behavior." If they are unwilling to surrender all to Jesus, and strive to avoid sinful behavior, they are not members of our fellowship. I am overweight, obviously guilty of gluttony, but I do not advocate unhealthful activity as acceptable. We are all sinners, believing we are continuously washed by His blood. But if we say our sin is not sin, we are not the Lord's.
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We're assuming that because a kid says he is gay that he's having gay sex. Is the same assumption made about heterosexual teens?
Do we look to remove the heterosexual teens from our fellowship when we hear that they are having sex with their girlfriend/boyfriend? -
"We need to be careful of who we let in our churches to influence others."
Or, we ought not have a weak spirit of fear and defeat.
He in us is greater than.....
Say and believe this instead---> "For we welcome all into our church because the Holy Spirit is dominant here. We have the presence of the Lord. When someone carrying a bad spirit with them darkens our doors, our Spirit, which is Christ in us, influences them strongly to repentance, or it drives them out from among us...":applause:
"Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"
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JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
First pastors have a biblical responsibility to keep watch over the flock (Acts 20:28)
We are to be watchful of false teachers that may come into the church. (Matthew 7:15)
We are to not only keep watch for false teachers but also those who wold come into the church to influence and lead people away from the Lord and turn them away.(Romans 16:17-18)
We are to turn out those in the church who engage in sexual immorality. (I Corinthians 5:5)
We are not to be ignorant of Satan's devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
We are to also remember that Satan often presents himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Being wise about Satans attacks on the church and following the command of scripture is neither unChristian nor fearful. Pastors have a God given job to do which is to protect the flock. -
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[post snipped for personal attack]
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Depending on how open they are about their sexual orientation, we also make sure others in their sphere of influence (their closest peers) know their first job is to love them. No bullying, mocking, or making fun of them is permitted. We've had an episode in the past where two older teens were bullying a younger about this exact issue...we removed the bullies until they were willing to repent publicly and allowed the homosexual teen to continue attending.
Then, just like with heterosexual teens, we point out that Christ's call on all of our lives is chastity until marriage. We have asked all of our teenagers to not engage in public displays of affection while attending our groups so that is an accepted practice.
We then provide careful, and appropriate discipleship moments to help the teenager and parent(s) as they work through these issues.
Ultimately our goal is to help them understand their calling from God and design by God to live a Jesus loving, God glorifying life. For teenagers, especially today, their expressions of sexuality are tied directly to their identity. It shouldn't be this way, but this is the culture in which we live. We try to break this down and speak truth in love.
This isn't perfect and certainly others can point out our errors...but we try to exercise grace and love. -
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If you immediately set them up as outcast , that's what the pastor and all the other kids will treat them as. And that simply is not of Christ.
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