When Pastors Christine and Dennis Wiley of the Covenant Baptist church in Washington, D.C., performed a 2007 commitment ceremony for a gay couple at their altar, it split the church, prompting Yvonne Moore, a loyal church member, to sue the church for the money she had donated over the 37 years she'd been a member.
It would take two years for the District -- a city competing only with Atlanta as the black gay capital of the world -- to legalize same-sex marriage.
Even though Moore grew up in Florida and was one of the first people to sit at a lunch counter in the fight for integration, she said she felt the need to sue because, "the Bible preaches against homosexuality" and "she was pissed off." She attended the marriage ceremony just to see if her pastors would go through with it. After the ceremony, she decided to sue.
Her pastor, though, had a very different take on the matter. "You can't just read the Bible and think you have mastered the word of God," said Wiley. He and his wife made a decision to open their doors to all people regardless of sexual orientation.
Moore wasn't the only one angry about the ceremony. The pastors lost half of their congregation after they blessed the union.
On the anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, a man that embodied the love of all humanity, it's always surprising to hear about people of color discriminating against gay people, not because the gay rights movement can be compared to the civil rights movement necessarily, but because gay people have been vital to black culture (just think of a world without Luther Vandross, Octavia Butler, Ma Rainey, James Baldwin, Michael from 'Good Times' and my uncle who taught me all of Beyonce's dance moves).
It seems it took gays to receive the right to marry for some folks in the black community to lose their minds. While Moore ended up dropping the lawsuit, she doesn't go to the church anymore.
16-June-10 - I know I'm supposed to be all outraged about the Seattle cop punching the teen in her face because I'm black and stuff like that, HOWEVER, I don't know whether it's because I'm a jaded '80s baby tired of young people's lack of respect for authority or I'm just insensitive, but I think the girls in this video absolutely deserve what they got.
16-June-10 - I know I'm supposed to be all outraged about the Seattle cop punching the teen in her face because I'm black and stuff like that, HOWEVER, I don't know whether it's because I'm a jaded '80s baby tired of young people's lack of respect for authority or I'm just insensitive, but I think the girls in this video absolutely deserve what they got.
15-June-10 - Jarretta Hamilton is angry and unemployed. The 39-year-old teacher was fired last April because she had sex before marriage and wound up pregnant. Now she has broken her silence and has gone public.
12-June-10 - I am not quite sure what to make of the ruffled YouTube video that is now scouring the web out of Paterson, New Jersey, where an officer inexplicably grabs a man, turns him around and puts pepper spray in to his eyes twice.
11-June-10 - Indianapolis Police Chief Paul Ciesielski called for the firing of a white officer who's been charged with repeatedly striking a 15-year-old biracial boy in the face during an arrest. The attacks allegedly occurred after the boy had been subdued by other officers.
09-June-10 - Gary Coleman's ex-wife, Shannon Price, is up to her post-hubby's-death antics again. As if masterminding the sale of Coleman's pre- and- post-death photos wasn't enough, now the merry widow has managed to get in to Coleman's home and take practically everything that wasn't bolted down! Click Here for the Complete Story
09-June-10 - Todd Bridges, who co-starred with Gary Coleman on the popular sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes,"is livid about both Globe Magazine's and Shannon Price's involvement in Coleman's death photos.
08-June-10 - Desiree Rogers, the former White House social secretary who "left" to seek greener pastures after a major security faux paux occurred under her watch, was recently hired by Johnson Publishing Co., the owners of Jet and Ebony magazines, as a consultant.
07-June-10 - A Seattle writer is angry beyond words, because late last month his 8-year-old child was removed from her honors elementary school class. No, the child did not misbehave. Instead, the little girl was guilty of using a hair moisturizer that allegedly annoyed her Caucasian teacher.
04-June-10 - Alejandra, Jermaine Jackson's ex-wife, is taking her ex-mother-in-law, Katherine, to court to demand financial security for herself and her children.
Her minister is on the take pushing the agenda of the one-world gov't. Funny, Obumer can give rights to homos and white women, while blacks who opened the doors for everyone else gets walked upon.
She should not waste her time sueing but should leave that church and all churches entirely. Stay home and study the bible for herself. Let the Most High thru his Holy Spirit teach you. She will discover other acts going on in the church the bible condemns.
I like this comment as well. However, I don't agree with the suit, because everyone that left the church will want to sue. But I agree that she did right to leave. It says alot about someone who after years of faithfulness to her church would be willing to STANDUP for what God says is appropriate and not sit there passively like soooo many christians do and watch christians succumb to compromising.
The church is beginning to look more like the world and the world is looking more like the church. Sad.
I agree, read and study the Word for yourself to know what God's voice is saying and not go with the majority. (remember--the majority thought it was okay to enslave others, and was okay with the Jim Crow laws until their counterparts started a revolution to stop it). Unfortunately, it looks like homosexuality is becoming the majority and true christian worship is becoming the minority.However, I will hate the SIN and not the sinner. This is the time to pray without ceasing. Amen!
Well, be blessed Marlene and have a happy and safe summer :)
Did you say stay at home and study the Bible? The Bible asks, how can people hear God without a preacher, and how can a man preach unless he be sent by God? Have you read that in the Bible, well if you haven't it's in there. Furthermore, I notice that people who use their "stay at home" Bible studies don't really understand the word "fully" as much as people who go to church under a man or woman of God who is preaching the Word right. There's another scripture that says forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. Have you read that scripture too in your "home Bible study"?
Why is it everytime something happens, people always involve President Obama. Whites have been running this country since the beginning. Don't start complaining when a black gets in office. You had eight years of Bush, that was plenty enough time to complain.
PASTOR 1. KJV translation of Hebrew term for shepherd in Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 22:22; 23:1, 2). Modern translations generally substituted shepherd for pastor except at Jeremiah 2:8 (leader, NIV; ruler, NASB, NRSV). 2. Pastor translates the Greek term poimen (shepherd) only at Ephesians 4:11. The background of the term lies in the biblical image of the people of God as God’s flock (Jer. 23:1-4; Ezek. 34:1-16; Luke 12:32; John 10:16). Pastoral ministry is closely associated with teaching (Eph. 4:11) as God’s gift to the church. Such ministry fulfills its God-ordained purpose when it trains church members to be mature in faith and equipped for ministry and unifies the church in Christian faith and knowledge (Eph. 4:12-13). Self-promotion and political divisiveness run counter to the biblical ideal for pastoral ministry. In laying down His life for His sheep (John 10:11, 15), Christ set the standard for pastoral ministry that goes beyond words to deeds. His sheep recognize His voice as a trustworthy guide (John 10:3-4). Pastoral ministry is an expression of love for Christ (John 21:15-17).
FAITHFULNESS • A characteristic of saints. Ephes. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Tim. 6:2; Rev. 17:14 • EXHIBITED IN. • The service of God. Matthew 24:45 • Declaring the word of God. Jeremiah 23:28; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Cor. 4:2 • The care of dedicated things. 2 Chron. 31:12 • Helping the brethren. 3 John 1:5 • Bearing witness. Proverbs 14:5 • Reproving others. Proverbs 27:6; Psalm 141:5 • Situations of trust. 2 Kings 12:15; Neh. 13:13; Acts 6:1-3 • Doing work. 2 Chron. 34:12 • Keeping secrets. Proverbs 11:13 • Conveying messages. Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 25:13 • All things. 1 Tim. 3:11 • The smallest matters. Luke 16:10-12 • Should be to death. Rev. 2:10 • ESPECIALLY REQUIRED IN. • Ministers. 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim. 2:2 • The wives of ministers. 1 Tim. 3:11 • The children of ministers. Titus 1:6 • Difficulty of finding. Proverbs 20:6 • The wicked devoid of. Psalm 5:9 • Associate with those who exhibit. Psalm 101:6 • Blessedness of. 1 Samuel 26:23; Proverbs 28:20 • Blessedness of, illustrated. Matthew 24:45-46; Matthew 25:21, 23 • Exemplified. • Joseph. Genesis 39:22-23 • Moses. Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:2, 5 • David. 1 Samuel 22:14 • Hananiah. Neh. 7:2 • Abraham. Neh. 9:8; Galatians 3:9 • Daniel. Daniel 6:4 • Paul. Acts 20:20, 27 • Timothy. 1 Cor. 4:17 • Tychicus. Ephes. 6:21 • Epaphras. Col. 1:7 • Onesimus. Col. 4:9 • Silvanus. 1 Peter 5:12 • Antipas. Rev. 2:13
REGENERATION (Ree' gehn uhr ay' shuhn) The radical spiritual change in which God brings an individual from a condition of spiritual defeat and death to a renewed condition of holiness and life. The biblical doctrine of regeneration emphasizes God’s role in making this spiritual change possible. Biblical Terms The term regeneration (palingenesia) appears in Titus 3:5 as a description of the spiritual change which baptism symbolizes. The idea of regeneration is also conveyed by the use of other terms related to the idea of birth. Jesus referred to regeneration when he told Nicodemus (John 3:3) that he must be “born again” (gennao anothen). The term born again may also be translated as “born from above.” This translation emphasizes the sovereign role of God in bringing about the experience of regeneration. In John 1:13 the term born (gennao) refers to the act of regeneration. In 1 Peter 1:23 another Greek word (anagennao) receives the translation “born again.” All of these words describe the complete spiritual change which occurs when Christ enters the life of an individual. The idea of regeneration also appears in other figures of speech which refer to concepts in addition to birth. When Paul described those in Christ as a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV), he was referring to the act of regeneration. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul referred to Christians as God’s “workmanship” made for the purpose of good works. Sometimes the idea of receiving new life is used as a description of regeneration (compare John 5:21; 7:38; 10:10; John 10:28). In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle described followers of Jesus as “newborn babes.” Whether the figure used involves birth, life, creation, or flowing rivers, the Bible is presenting a new experience of life which is enriching, comprehensive, and thoroughly renewed in holiness. Need for Regeneration The great need for an experience of regeneration is apparent from the sinful condition of human beings, “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Left to themselves, human beings will corrupt God’s revelation of Himself and turn to gross forms of disobedience (Rom. 1:18-32). God, however, demands holiness as a condition for having fellowship with Himself (Heb. 12:14). Human beings therefore must have a radical change in the very character of their personality. God promises such a change in the experience of regeneration. Source of Regeneration Throughout Scripture the source of regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. Both Scripture (Rom. 3:10-23) and human experience indicate that people lack the power and will to reform. God works upon the human disposition by the use of truth (Jas. 1:18). This truth is the message of salvation which we find in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The role of the Holy Spirit is to take this truth and commend it to the understanding of each hearer (John 16:8-11). Regeneration occurs when the Holy Spirit takes the truth of the gospel message and allows the individual both to understand it and to commit oneself to it. There is a divine initiative through the Holy Spirit. There is a human responsibility in the response to the Spirit’s urging. Role of Baptism Some churches hold that the experience of regeneration is brought about by the act of baptism. The view which advocates this teaching is known as baptismal regeneration. The Scriptures do not present baptism as the means of regeneration but as the sign of regeneration. Peter’s discussion of baptism in 1 Peter 3:21 pictures the experience of baptism as the symbol of a conscientious response to God. In other texts (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Titus 3:5) we can understand the meaning of the biblical writer by distinguishing between regeneration as an inward change and baptism as the outward sign of that change. The actual change of regeneration is an instantaneous experience brought about by the Holy Spirit. Baptism becomes a means of demonstrating publicly and outwardly the nature of this change. See baptism. Result of Regeneration Ephesians 4:17-32 makes the result of regeneration apparent. Paul first discussed the nature of the spiritual change in a believer. In regeneration each believer has put off the old way of life, become clothed with a new way of life, and is in the process of having one’s mind renewed in its thinking, reasoning, and willing. Because of this experience Paul urged each believer to practice truth, control anger, demonstrate kindness, and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit. The fact of regeneration formed the basis for giving an appeal to live a new life. The experience of regeneration does not leave an individual content and passive in efforts at Christian growth. Old powers of evil have been broken. The possibility of victory in the constant struggle with sin has become certain. Thomas D. Lea
26For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.
Homosexuality is a sin based upon the Word of God and whosoever participates will not enter the Kingdom of God!
When capitalist forces made it plain that everyone speaks English, that's when the move to one world government started. Go to Cedar Point and see where all the foreign workers have to learn how to speak English, and can only speak English. It was at the Tower of Babel where God made the people speak different languages. It's in America and on the Internet where the people who speak different languages have come back to speak one language. And what's with the "rights to homos and white women??? Explain please.
That's what is wrong with the world today, what happened to love thy neighbor. Most people who attend church are not without sin & thats one of the reasons why they are in church. We have preacher/minister who are not without sin but they are right there in the pulpit trying to preach the good word. You can write scriptures out of the bible all day and it still doesn't make you holier-than-thou but at the end of it all and what it all boils down to is "GOD IS A LOVING AND FORGIVING GOD AND GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN JUDGE US!"
Fashion Week Flash: Tracy Reese Fall 2012 (PHOTOS)
54 Ways to Say "I Love You" In Africa
Comments: (124)
Add a comment
By: Marlene Franklin on 6/25/2010 2:54PM
Her minister is on the take pushing the agenda of the one-world gov't. Funny, Obumer can give rights to homos and white women, while blacks who opened the doors for everyone else gets walked upon.
She should not waste her time sueing but should leave that church and all churches entirely. Stay home and study the bible for herself. Let the Most High thru his Holy Spirit teach you. She will discover other acts going on in the church the bible condemns.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Victoria on 6/25/2010 6:34PM
I like this comment as well. However, I don't agree with the suit, because everyone that left the church will want to sue. But I agree that she did right to leave. It says alot about someone who after years of faithfulness to her church would be willing to STANDUP for what God says is appropriate and not sit there passively like soooo many christians do and watch christians succumb to compromising.
The church is beginning to look more like the world and the world is looking more like the church. Sad.
I agree, read and study the Word for yourself to know what God's voice is saying and not go with the majority. (remember--the majority thought it was okay to enslave others, and was okay with the Jim Crow laws until their counterparts started a revolution to stop it). Unfortunately, it looks like homosexuality is becoming the majority and true christian worship is becoming the minority.However, I will hate the SIN and not the sinner. This is the time to pray without ceasing. Amen!
Well, be blessed Marlene and have a happy and safe summer :)
Report This
By: rdw on 6/25/2010 9:47PM
Wow! What an ignorant comment, typical dumbasss fool you are.
Report This
By: ralph on 6/26/2010 2:39PM
Did you say stay at home and study the Bible? The Bible asks, how can people hear God without a preacher, and how can a man preach unless he be sent by God? Have you read that in the Bible, well if you haven't it's in there. Furthermore, I notice that people who use their "stay at home" Bible studies don't really understand the word "fully" as much as people who go to church under a man or woman of God who is preaching the Word right. There's another scripture that says forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. Have you read that scripture too in your "home Bible study"?
Report This
By: cameron on 6/28/2010 4:55AM
Why is it everytime something happens, people always involve President Obama. Whites have been running this country since the beginning. Don't start complaining when a black gets in office. You had eight years of Bush, that was plenty enough time to complain.
PASTOR 1. KJV translation of Hebrew term for shepherd in Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 22:22; 23:1, 2). Modern translations generally substituted shepherd for pastor except at Jeremiah 2:8 (leader, NIV; ruler, NASB, NRSV). 2. Pastor translates the Greek term poimen (shepherd) only at Ephesians 4:11. The background of the term lies in the biblical image of the people of God as God’s flock (Jer. 23:1-4; Ezek. 34:1-16; Luke 12:32; John 10:16). Pastoral ministry is closely associated with teaching (Eph. 4:11) as God’s gift to the church. Such ministry fulfills its God-ordained purpose when it trains church members to be mature in faith and equipped for ministry and unifies the church in Christian faith and knowledge (Eph. 4:12-13). Self-promotion and political divisiveness run counter to the biblical ideal for pastoral ministry. In laying down His life for His sheep (John 10:11, 15), Christ set the standard for pastoral ministry that goes beyond words to deeds. His sheep recognize His voice as a trustworthy guide (John 10:3-4). Pastoral ministry is an expression of love for Christ (John 21:15-17).
FAITHFULNESS
• A characteristic of saints. Ephes. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Tim. 6:2; Rev. 17:14
• EXHIBITED IN.
• The service of God. Matthew 24:45
• Declaring the word of God. Jeremiah 23:28; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Cor. 4:2
• The care of dedicated things. 2 Chron. 31:12
• Helping the brethren. 3 John 1:5
• Bearing witness. Proverbs 14:5
• Reproving others. Proverbs 27:6; Psalm 141:5
• Situations of trust. 2 Kings 12:15; Neh. 13:13; Acts 6:1-3
• Doing work. 2 Chron. 34:12
• Keeping secrets. Proverbs 11:13
• Conveying messages. Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 25:13
• All things. 1 Tim. 3:11
• The smallest matters. Luke 16:10-12
• Should be to death. Rev. 2:10
• ESPECIALLY REQUIRED IN.
• Ministers. 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim. 2:2
• The wives of ministers. 1 Tim. 3:11
• The children of ministers. Titus 1:6
• Difficulty of finding. Proverbs 20:6
• The wicked devoid of. Psalm 5:9
• Associate with those who exhibit. Psalm 101:6
• Blessedness of. 1 Samuel 26:23; Proverbs 28:20
• Blessedness of, illustrated. Matthew 24:45-46; Matthew 25:21, 23
• Exemplified.
• Joseph. Genesis 39:22-23
• Moses. Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:2, 5
• David. 1 Samuel 22:14
• Hananiah. Neh. 7:2
• Abraham. Neh. 9:8; Galatians 3:9
• Daniel. Daniel 6:4
• Paul. Acts 20:20, 27
• Timothy. 1 Cor. 4:17
• Tychicus. Ephes. 6:21
• Epaphras. Col. 1:7
• Onesimus. Col. 4:9
• Silvanus. 1 Peter 5:12
• Antipas. Rev. 2:13
REGENERATION (Ree' gehn uhr ay' shuhn) The radical spiritual change in which God brings an individual from a condition of spiritual defeat and death to a renewed condition of holiness and life. The biblical doctrine of regeneration emphasizes God’s role in making this spiritual change possible.
Biblical Terms The term regeneration (palingenesia) appears in Titus 3:5 as a description of the spiritual change which baptism symbolizes. The idea of regeneration is also conveyed by the use of other terms related to the idea of birth. Jesus referred to regeneration when he told Nicodemus (John 3:3) that he must be “born again” (gennao anothen). The term born again may also be translated as “born from above.” This translation emphasizes the sovereign role of God in bringing about the experience of regeneration. In John 1:13 the term born (gennao) refers to the act of regeneration. In 1 Peter 1:23 another Greek word (anagennao) receives the translation “born again.” All of these words describe the complete spiritual change which occurs when Christ enters the life of an individual.
The idea of regeneration also appears in other figures of speech which refer to concepts in addition to birth. When Paul described those in Christ as a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV), he was referring to the act of regeneration. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul referred to Christians as God’s “workmanship” made for the purpose of good works. Sometimes the idea of receiving new life is used as a description of regeneration (compare John 5:21; 7:38; 10:10; John 10:28). In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle described followers of Jesus as “newborn babes.”
Whether the figure used involves birth, life, creation, or flowing rivers, the Bible is presenting a new experience of life which is enriching, comprehensive, and thoroughly renewed in holiness.
Need for Regeneration The great need for an experience of regeneration is apparent from the sinful condition of human beings, “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Left to themselves, human beings will corrupt God’s revelation of Himself and turn to gross forms of disobedience (Rom. 1:18-32). God, however, demands holiness as a condition for having fellowship with Himself (Heb. 12:14). Human beings therefore must have a radical change in the very character of their personality. God promises such a change in the experience of regeneration.
Source of Regeneration Throughout Scripture the source of regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. Both Scripture (Rom. 3:10-23) and human experience indicate that people lack the power and will to reform. God works upon the human disposition by the use of truth (Jas. 1:18). This truth is the message of salvation which we find in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The role of the Holy Spirit is to take this truth and commend it to the understanding of each hearer (John 16:8-11). Regeneration occurs when the Holy Spirit takes the truth of the gospel message and allows the individual both to understand it and to commit oneself to it. There is a divine initiative through the Holy Spirit. There is a human responsibility in the response to the Spirit’s urging.
Role of Baptism Some churches hold that the experience of regeneration is brought about by the act of baptism. The view which advocates this teaching is known as baptismal regeneration. The Scriptures do not present baptism as the means of regeneration but as the sign of regeneration. Peter’s discussion of baptism in 1 Peter 3:21 pictures the experience of baptism as the symbol of a conscientious response to God. In other texts (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Titus 3:5) we can understand the meaning of the biblical writer by distinguishing between regeneration as an inward change and baptism as the outward sign of that change. The actual change of regeneration is an instantaneous experience brought about by the Holy Spirit. Baptism becomes a means of demonstrating publicly and outwardly the nature of this change. See baptism.
Result of Regeneration Ephesians 4:17-32 makes the result of regeneration apparent. Paul first discussed the nature of the spiritual change in a believer. In regeneration each believer has put off the old way of life, become clothed with a new way of life, and is in the process of having one’s mind renewed in its thinking, reasoning, and willing. Because of this experience Paul urged each believer to practice truth, control anger, demonstrate kindness, and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit. The fact of regeneration formed the basis for giving an appeal to live a new life.
The experience of regeneration does not leave an individual content and passive in efforts at Christian growth. Old powers of evil have been broken. The possibility of victory in the constant struggle with sin has become certain.
Thomas D. Lea
Report This
By: selfish people on 6/26/2010 7:44PM
Romans 1:26-28
26For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.
Homosexuality is a sin based upon the Word of God and whosoever participates will not enter the Kingdom of God!
Report This
By: MigThor on 6/28/2010 8:09AM
When capitalist forces made it plain that everyone speaks English, that's when the move to one world government started. Go to Cedar Point and see where all the foreign workers have to learn how to speak English, and can only speak English. It was at the Tower of Babel where God made the people speak different languages. It's in America and on the Internet where the people who speak different languages have come back to speak one language. And what's with the "rights to homos and white women??? Explain please.
Report This
By: No1'sname on 6/28/2010 9:29AM
That's what is wrong with the world today, what happened to love thy neighbor. Most people who attend church are not without sin & thats one of the reasons why they are in church. We have preacher/minister who are not without sin but they are right there in the pulpit trying to preach the good word. You can write scriptures out of the bible all day and it still doesn't make you holier-than-thou but at the end of it all and what it all boils down to is "GOD IS A LOVING AND FORGIVING GOD AND GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN JUDGE US!"
Report This
By: Angie on 7/02/2010 2:16PM
Marlene, you are as dumb as a bag of rocks.
Report This
By: Erena on 10/07/2010 11:28AM
yeah i agree..and she ended up not sueing and left the church
Report This