Mission - Our Beliefs About Issues Facing Believers In The Twenty First Century

We encourage GLBTQ Christians around the world to join other believers for regular worship, prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. Our goal is to “to spur one another on to love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:23,24

The primary outreach of GayChristian101.com is to the GLBT community, including their family and friends. We also serve the wider Christian community as an information resource about gay and lesbian Christians, Leviticus 19:33,34; Galatians 3:23–28, I Peter 3:15.

By providing a safe haven for spiritual growth and by walking alongside seekers, our mission is to alleviate the suffering and loneliness of many gay and lesbian people.

As we “work out our own salvation,” Philippians 2:12–16, we affirm the importance of sharing our personal experience and understanding with the wider Christian community.

We affirm the Bible as God’s Holy Word, sufficient for instruction in all God’s ways and for training in righteousness, II Timothy 3:16,17, Hebrews 4:11–12.

Authentic Christians who desire to serve Christ understand that a change of heart and a change of direction are vitally important. Self-sufficiency and self-centeredness do not help us appreciate our identity in Christ and our God-given mission. The fruit of new life in Christ is loving service to others, supported by a quiet confidence and reliance on the power of Christ, not our own power, Galatians 5:22,23.

Christian social pressure compels some to attempt orientation change with the goal of becoming heterosexual. Scripture rightly divided and Christian experience indicate that God’s primary concern is not to change the sexual orientation of his gay and lesbian disciples but to help them find wholeness in Christ as gays and lesbians.

Growth to spiritual maturity is based on our security in Christ Jesus and believing what God says in the Bible. Our daily experience of His loving acceptance and our recognition that we are set apart to faithfully follow Jesus leads us to share our joy with others. That is our mission.

From the beginning God affirmed it is not good for the man to be alone, Genesis 2:18. The intimate companionship of God Himself, with Adam in the Garden of Eden, was not enough for Adam. God affirmed this fact and intentionally created Eve to meet Adam’s need.

We affirm that the viewpoint of many Christians, that all gays and lesbians must live celibate lives, never having their deepest intimacy needs met, constitutes a cruel refusal to obey the explicit command of Jesus in Matthew 7:12:

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

We further affirm that Biblical principle and Christian charity require an empathetic response to the God-created intimacy needs of gay and lesbian Christians. Our mission is to communicate this truth to the body of Christ.

“Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances): but judge fairly and righteously.” -The Amplified Bible, John 7:24

“Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].” -The Amplified Bible, Romans 15:2

“And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.” -The Amplified Bible, Luke 6:31

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Obey the Bible

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“As for the man who is a weak believer, [welcome him into your fellow- ship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions...

Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand...

Why do you cricize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...

Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another...

I know and am convinced (persuaded) as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is [forbidden as] essentially unclean (defiled and unholy in itself).” -The Amplified Bible, Romans 14:1-14

“But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?” -The Amplified Bible, I John 3:17

“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things]... take thought for what is honest and proper and noble...” -The Amplified Bible, Romans 12:15

We also affirm that Jesus made a clear and categorical distinction between most people and eunuchs, the first class of which, according to Jesus, cannot participate in the Adam and Eve marriage paradigm, Matthew 19:11,12. Our mission is to make the body of Christ aware of this truth.

Jesus precisely differented between born eunuchs, who never made a personal decision to be eunuchs and metaphysical eunuchs who do make a personal decision to be celibate, Matthew 19:12.

We affirm and honor marriage, Hebrews 13:4, as the norm for most people. Yet we note that Jesus affirmed that everyone cannot participate in the Adam and Eve marriage paradigm, Matthew 19:11,12.

God our heavenly Father recognized a deeply felt need for companionship and belonging as the common experience of humanity, Genesis 2:18, Psalm 68:4–6; James 1:27, I Corinthians 7:1-9.

We affirm that wholesome same-sex relationships which are within the Biblical moral framework (committed, faithful, noncultic), honour God in conduct and expression as fully as heterosexual relationships honor God.

I Samuel 18:3ff, 20:16,17, Ruth 1:15–17, affording both Biblical precedent and Biblical models for modern gays and lesbians.

While same sex relationships are viewed by many as different than heterosexual marriages, our mission is to proclaim that both heterosexual and homosexual partnerships function as God’s foundation for family life. Our mission is to bring peace of heart to gay and lesbian families struggling under societal oppression.

Because gay and lesbian people are not second-class citizens in the eyes of God, we deserve the same respect and dignity accorded all Christians. This respect and common decency includes affirmation of our innate need for intimacy and companionship. Our mission is to make this truth known.

We affirm that human sexuality is a gift, intentionally designed by God into every human being. Our sexuality varies based on God’s gifts to each individual. We acknowledge our sexual orientation as a precious gift from our loving Lord. Our mission is to affirm this truth to the rest of the church.

We affirm the wisdom of preaching abstinence from sexual intimacy to heterosexuals and homosexuals, until they are united in heterosexual marriage or homosexual partnership. Abstaining from sexual intimacy in preparation for lifelong commitment to each other surely reflects clear Biblical teaching about marriage and partnership, I Corinthians 7:2-5, I Thessalonians 4:3-7. The mission of all authentic Christians is to live lives pleasing to God.

We affirm Biblical commands to shun sexual immorality, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Corinthians 6:13 -20 and 7:1–3, Ephesians 5:1–5, Colossians 3:5–17.

Jesus taught that a lustful attitude is immoral, regardless of physical contact between the person and the object of lust, Matthew 5:27,28. Every Christian must be careful to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:5. This is a worthy mission for all authentic Christians.

The Church does not condemn all heterosexual behaviour by association on the basis that some heterosexuals commit the sins of adultery, fornication, lust and rape.

We affirm therefore that basic decency, common honesty and elementary logic require that gays and lesbians receive the same thoughtful consideration. That some homosexuals commit the sins of adultery, fornication, lust and rape does not warrant the conclusion that all gays and lesbians deserve unqualified condemnation. Our mission is to make all Christians aware of this basic truth.

We affirm that no verse of scripture warning against sexual immorality describes individuals in committed, faithful, loving, monogamous same sex relationship, who are authentic followers of Jesus Christ. Communicating this vital truth is part of our mission.

We affirm that in the Bible, sexual immorality is not defined in terms of homogenital acts. Opinions to the contrary can disprove our affirmation by offering clear verses which, in historical context, support their opinion.

We affirm that the spiritual perception of Biblical heroes of faith about sexual immorality did not include condemnation of incest or polygamy, practices modern Christians consider grossly immoral yet practices engaged in by some Old Testament heroes of the faith their entire adult lives.

This is not to argue for incest or polygamy. Instead, we note that incest and polygamy in the lives of God’s great heroes are ancient analogs for modern committed, faithful, noncultic homosexual partnerships.

We affirm that for God and for Biblical principle, our underlying attitudes and motivation are weighty factors in determining whether or not our actions are pleasing to God, John 7:24, I Samuel 16:7.

(3) the relationship of both partners with God through salvation, (4) the love of both partners for each other and (5) the clear sense of personal responsibility both partners feel for each other. Making these truths known to struggling gays and lesbians and those who love them is part of our mission.

We affirm that nowhere in Scripture is celibacy commanded for those who are unable to participate in the Adam and Eve marriage paradigm, Matthew 19:11-12. In fact the word celibacy is not a Biblical word.

Biblical references to the concept of celibacy come from Jesus, Matthew 19:12 and Paul, I Corinthians 7:1, 7, who both posit abstinence from marriage as a free choice, not a commandment.

We affirm the wisdom and importance of abstinence in certain situations but reject the viewpoint that sexual abstinence is the only Godly option for gays and lesbians.

Since God Himself acknowledged in the perfect, unfallen world He created, that it is ‘not good for man to be alone,’ when gay men and lesbian women find opportunity to build intimate relationships for the glory of God, this should be cause for rejoicing, not censure. Our mission is to reconcile the body of Christ to these important truths.

Some modern Christians tend to emulate the Pharisees, entirely over-zealous about making unscriptural rules instead of practicing the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12.

In 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Paul describes the practice of forbidding marriage as a ‘doctrine of devils.’

In solidarity with the apostle Paul, the greatest Christian who ever lived, we affirm that forbidding committed, faithful, noncultic same-sex relationships is a grievous error. Part of our mission is to spread the good news of God's grace toward gays and lesbians.

According to Jesus, God’s scriptural rule is to love others as we love ourselves, Matthew 22:39. Thus did Jesus mandate loving, empathetic concern for the burdens and heartaches of your gay brothers and lesbian sisters. This is part of the mission of the body of Christ.

Today, twenty first century Christian Pharisees place grievous burdens on gays and lesbians, refusing to practice the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12, and refusing to recognise the deeply felt need for intimate companionship of those unable to participate in Adam and Eve style marriage. The modern church needs to model the compassion of the Christ they profess to follow.

We affirm the responsibility gay and lesbian Christians share with their heterosexual brothers and sisters, to live their life in a way that does not bring reproach on the name of Christ.

Committed, faithful, noncultic same-sex relationships should not be dishonoured by Christian gossip, disparagement and church condemnation, I Peter 4:7–10.

Gay people should understand that although their conscience may permit committed, faithful, noncultic same sex relationships, exercising their freedom in Christ may create a serious stumbling block to other Christians who have not yet come to accept the sanctity of same sex relationships, Romans 14:9–18.

This does not mean gays and lesbians must abstain from committed, faithful, noncultic intimate partnerships. Rather, it emphasizes the seriousness of our committed relationships and the absolute necessity of modeling Christ in every part of our life. This too is the mission of authentic followers of Christ.

Having “fervent charity” among ourselves as believers, I Peter 4:8, can help to lessen tension and build bridges of understanding in the body of Christ.

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