Homosexual Pastor

[saved]

March 20, 2004, 10:05PM

Gay pastor, cleared by church jury, continues ministry
Associated Press
BOTHELL, Wash. -- A lesbian Methodist pastor was acquitted Saturday in a church trial over her sexual orientation and will be allowed to continue her ministry.

After about 10 hours of deliberations, a jury of 13 pastors ruled in favor of the Rev. Karen Dammann, 47, who disclosed three years ago that she was in a homosexual relationship.

Church law prohibits the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals, and the church's Book of Discipline declares homosexuality to be "incompatible to Christian teachings." But the church's social principles support gay rights and liberties.

The jury issued a statement saying the church "did not present sufficient clear and convincing evidence to sustain the charge."

"We realize that the church is divided regarding issues related to homosexuality," the jury said in its statement. "We, the Trial Court, are far from unanimous regarding biblical and theological understandings."

The jury said it made its decision "after many hours of painful and prayerful deliberations, and listening for and to the word of God."

Dammann has been on leave as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Ellensburg, 95 miles east of Seattle. This month she married her partner of nine years, Meredith Savage, in Portland, Ore., where officials have been allowing gay marriages. They have a 5-year-old son.

The ruling means Dammann is in good standing with the church and available for new assignments.

Dammann did not testify at her three-day trial at Bothell United Methodist Church in a Seattle suburb.

In closing arguments Friday, her church counsel, the Rev. Robert C. Ward, asked jurors to adhere to church principles on inclusiveness and justice, not to the letter of church rules.

"We need to be careful about creating rules that exclude people," Ward said. "You are faced with a choice to make love practical, to make love plain, and to do what is right."

The Rev. James C. Finkbeiner, who prosecuted the case, argued that Dammann, by her own admission, is a practicing lesbian and that was all the jury needed to consider to find her guilty.

"This is a trial about Rev. Dammann," Finkbeiner said. "The law of the church is not on trial. I admit this will make this decision much more painful to reach."

Dammann declared her sexual preference in February 2001. Methodist Bishop Elias Galvan, under church orders, filed the complaint against Dammann.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2459440

[me again]

The term "homosexual pastor" is an oxymoron. However, I understand that many lesbians were drawn into homosexuality due to abusive relationships, oftentimes begining in their juvenile years with family members. :no:

[Cortese]

I think it's a sad fact that a church, who is supposed to represent the body of Christ, would approve of that sort of sinful behavior. Or any sinful behavior for that matter!

[saved]

Originally posted by me again
The term "homosexual pastor" is an oxymoron. However, I understand that many lesbians were drawn into homosexuality due to abusive relationships, oftentimes begining in their juvenile years with family members. :no:

No that would be incorrect. That is the excuse that the homosexual community has used so as to deny their part in their sins, but the reason that people enter into homosexual relationships or any sinful lifestyle is because they reject God in their lives and are turned over to vile affections.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[3] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[4] unmerciful; 32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

[saved]

Originally posted by Cortese
I think it's a sad fact that a church, who is supposed to represent the body of Christ, would approve of that sort of sinful behavior. Or any sinful behavior for that matter!

Yes it is sad. The reason it is so sad is that those who do this have become blind to truth, not knowing what awaits them.

[Eveningstar]

All excuses are valid until we are made aware of our sins...God would never hold the ignorant responsible.
He forgives much, if not all.


2Cr 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.