Ministering Graciously to the Gay and Lesbian Community: Learning to Relate and Understand

Controversy erupted when some churches chose to appoint openly gay pastors. Now questions are arising as to whether or not the body of Christ should recognize a "gay church." Scripture is quite clear on the matter of homosexuality. But how should someone minister to those in the gay and lesbian lifestyles? Williams supports the mantra of "love the sinner, yet detest the sin." Realize that a compassionate approach always means confronting the sin for what it is. To preach the Gospel of pure love, we must shun any deception that puts people in bondage. Preliminaries......Page 1 Dedicated in Graciousness......Page 5 Acknowledgments......Page 9 Table of Contents......Page 11 PREFACE......Page 13 Foreword......Page 17 Why This Book and Why Now?......Page 21 The Confrontive Appeal......Page 29 The Church of the Apostles......Page 77 The Compassionate Approach......Page 105 The Composite Anointing......Page 139 The Christological Apologetic......Page 181 The Causation Argument......Page 227 The Consequential Alternative......Page 269 The Committed Action......Page 293 The Confusing Apostasy......Page 315 The Combative Appeal......Page 357 The Comprehensive Admonition......Page 391 The Caring Affection......Page 419

Helps you understand what will enable those individuals who are entrenched in what is called an 'alternative' lifestyle to find a path of peace in the recovery of their soul and self-esteem. Educate those who want to learn, to relate and to understand in order to genuinely minister graciously to the gay and lesbian community, whether they be family, friends, or fellow church members. Equip the reader with the information to gently and lovingly apply the oil of God's Spirit and the wine of God's love.

It is the sad tendency of modern men to either do the right thing in the wrong way or to do the wrong thing in the right way.