Judge Upholds Decision of Church to Leave Denomination Over Homosexual Marriage

[Shammu]

Judge Upholds Decision of Church to Leave Denomination Over Homosexual "Marriage"

By Elizabeth O'Brien

HUNTINGTON, July 23, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An Indiana judge upheld the decision of a church congregation to leave the United Church of Christ (UCC) because of the denomination's official recognition of gay "marriage."

St. Peter's First United Church of Christ has been part of the UCC for 50 years, the Indianapolis Star reports. The congregation was concerned, however, when the UCC voiced its official support for homosexual "marriage" in 2005.

At its 25th General Synod the UCC declared that the 1.3-million organization officially supported same-sex "marriage". According to the declaration the UCC, "affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and declares that the State should not interfere with couples regardless of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of legally recognized marriage."

The concerned congregation of St. Peter's held some open forum discussion and then decided to hold a vote in September of 2005. The results were 115 to 92 in favor of leaving the UCC. Joanna Kline, Administrative Secretary of St. Peter's First Church, told LifeSiteNews.com that a couple of church members who wanted to remain UCC then sued the local church council president, Brian Royer, and all his designees, but they did not sue the church itself.

The UCC refused to recognize St. Peter's decision to leave and joined in the suit. "They had not released St. Peter's from being one of their congregations," said Kline. This Friday, however, Special Judge David L. Hanselman Sr. removed the two-year restraining order, allowing St. Peter's to become independent. Kline added that because the decision is so recent, they haven't heard back yet from the UCC. She is confident, however, that the organization will respect the court decision.

Kline also told LifeSiteNews.com that since St. Peter's decision to leave, "We have not dropped in the average attendance." In fact, she continued, "We have had some new people come in. And the people who have stuck it through have grown so much in spirit and faith. It's like they've been through the 'refiner's fire'. We've got real good Bible teaching going on now that's just been wonderful."

Kline explained the church's reasons for leaving, saying, "We really felt the UCC crossed a line that we couldn't cross with them. They were endorsing something that God has stated is a sin as something that is no longer a sin. For us, it's not loving someone to tell them that their sin isn't a sin. The Church is a hospital for sinners, but we don't tell anyone their sin isn't a sin."

At present, St. Peters will continue running in much the same way as before. Even under the UCC, stated Kline, each church is its own entity and has its own rules. Although the council may look into re-affiliating with someone in future, the church will remain independent for a time.

Judge Upholds Decision of Church to Leave Denomination Over Homosexual "Marriage"

[ibTina]

Kline explained the church's reasons for leaving, saying, "We really felt the UCC crossed a line that we couldn't cross with them. They were endorsing something that God has stated is a sin as something that is no longer a sin. For us, it's not loving someone to tell them that their sin isn't a sin. The Church is a hospital for sinners, but we don't tell anyone their sin isn't a sin."

God Bless them for taking the RIGHT stand and not followong the path to hell and damnation!

[Brother Jerry]

I pray that when they are in court that they bring up 1 Corinthians Chapter 6

 1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

But in the end they remember Matthew 5:40
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

And with that they simply leave the church and either start a new one or find one that is a true Bible believing and following church.

[Maryjane]

Praise God for His mercy and compassion for He does not strike His hand on this nation...If it had not been for Jesus who willingly went to the cross...there would be no hope..even for this situation...It is because of sin that men are blinded from the truth...those who run to self help and morality teaching without God that are falling by the droves who really believe there is no God...they go around saying God is love and would not put anyone in hell...but God is just and He will do as He said He will do and those who continue to live in sin will be put into hell..Pastors who  hate to step on the toes of people by mentioning the word "hell"..repentance..  will be responsible for the flock they lead to hell...The falling away is the bible replaced by the opnion of man who chose to justify sin to compromise the gospel...Christians are not going to be accepted due to the fact christians will stand for the word of God and to stand for the word of God is to mention God's judgement toward sin and this will surely bring to christians persecution...as it did for those who have faithfully gone before us...

[Debp]

I'm glad this church took a stand and said they could not go along with the gay marriages being allowed by their denomination.

I understand many Bible believing churches of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are pulling out of that branch because of the very liberal beliefs and policies of the hierarchy.  A few years back I would read their newspaper (a Presbyterian layman paper) and they said they tried so hard to get their denomination back to God's Word....but to no avail.  That's when churches started to pull out and make another Presbyterian branch that is Bible believing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jude gave an excellent warning against what is happening in these churches.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

These are just more signs that we might be living in the LAST DAYS of this Age of Grace. I do believe that the time is growing short. There have been many recent decisions by large so-called churches to ignore GOD'S WORD, reject basic Bible Principles, and go away from GOD. Things like this are detailed in Bible Prophecy.

I find it amazing how many follow these un-Godly decisions and actually think that they have a church. The most amazing recent happening was a large church voting on whether JESUS CHRIST is GOD or not. I don't remember how the vote went, but this should give us all a good idea about how far and quickly this part of the world is turning away from GOD. AND, these places are supposed to be beacons of Light for the lost. Sadly, their lights are OFF!

These are times when all Christians should pray constantly for guidance and ask GOD to use us however HE Will. The LIGHT of the World is JESUS CHRIST, and this LIGHT will never be turned off. Hosts are still accepting HIM, so let us be of good cheer as part of the LIGHT and go forward with whatever HE wants us to do. May GOD give us the strength and courage to continue in HIS Will until JESUS comes to take us home.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

[Soldier4Christ]

These are times when all Christians should pray constantly for guidance and ask GOD to use us however HE Will. The LIGHT of the World is JESUS CHRIST, and this LIGHT will never be turned off. Hosts are still accepting HIM, so let us be of good cheer as part of the LIGHT and go forward with whatever HE wants us to do. May GOD give us the strength and courage to continue in HIS Will until JESUS comes to take us home.[/b]

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

AMEN!!

[Debp]

Yes, I agree we should keep looking up.  Afterall, the Bible does predict these kind of things will happen.  We believers just need to keep walking with the Lord daily.  God is in control still.

[nChrist]

Yes, I agree we should keep looking up.  Afterall, the Bible does predict these kind of things will happen.  We believers just need to keep walking with the Lord daily.  God is in control still.

Amen Debp!

If these are the last days of this Age of Grace unfolding before our very eyes, I give thanks! For Christians, our duties remain the same - just as our hope, calling, and Promises from GOD. GOD will unfold Bible Prophecy at HIS Appointed Time, and HIS Time is the perfect time.

Love In Christ,
Tom

"Serve the LORD with Gladness..."