IF THE BLACK HOLINESS CHURCH IS AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY; THEN WHY DO SO MANY HOMOSEXUALS SERVE IN POSITIONS THE CHURCH?

I have been asked this question innumerable times, "If you all are against homosexuality; then why do you have them serving in your church, in your choir, etc.?" This is an honest question that deserves an honest answer from the Word of God. It should not be ignored or swept under the rug.

Allow me to be frank and honest; no matter how we try to perform eisegesis or "twist" the Scriptures; the Word is very plain that to be homosexual or effeminate is a sin:

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. ⁹Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

• 1 Timothy 1:9-10. ⁹We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

• 1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV ⁹Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.

If you notice, all of these passages give a litany of sins (homosexuality is not the only sin listed). However, there has never been such an AGENDA, as there has for the sin of homosexuality. Possibly, with the exception of the Prohibition years in the U.S., you never hear about protests, civic leaders and the entertainment industry supporting: thieves, drunkards, the greedy, etc. You never hear about people "coming out," as a liar, murderer, adulterer or swindler. The Bible teaches that ALL unrighteousness is sin and that we should be ashamed and grieve over our sins (not be proud of or celebrate it):

• Ephesians 5:12. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

• 1 Corinthians 5:2. ²And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?

I know there are people who would make excuses and say that the same passages that prohibit homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13), also prohibit mixed clothing and shell fish: like crab and lobster (Leviticus 11:12; 19:19). The Bible refers to these as, "foolish and unlearned arguments," (2 Timothy 2:23); because the New Testament Church ALREADY had a council 2,000 years ago and addressed those dietary laws and prohibitions. This occurred when a large number of non-Jews (Gentiles) were becoming a part of the Church (Acts 15:28-29). So the shellfish and mixed clothes argument is null and void.

Can people be born a certain way? According to the Bible, every single human being has been born with a sin nature; or an inclination to rebel against God's standards (Romans 8:7). This is why it is necessary to experience "regeneration," or the "New Birth," also popularly known as being, "Born Again." 1 Peter 1:23, "²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

So why does it seem that "Holiness," "Pentecostal," or "Sanctified" churches, that preach so adamantly against homosexuality; seem to have such open, blatant (or as one person put it "flaming") homosexuality or effeminate men in our midst? And, how do we address this.

FIRST, (this will come as a shock to many) it is important to note that the FOUNDER of the Pentecostal movement was accused (and arrested) for homosexual activity! While Bishop William Joseph Seymour was the CATALYST of the Pentecostal movement, pastor of the "Azusa Street Mission" and launched Pentecostalism around the world; he was NOT the founder. The founder was a "Holiness" preacher by the name of CHARLES FOX PARHAM (1873-1929).

Charles Fox Parham was the originator of the "initial evidence" doctrine; namely, that a person that is baptized in the Holy Ghost, will have the initial physical evidence of speaking with tongues or glossolalia (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). While people have always spoke with tongues (from the Day of Pentecost to the present day); Parham was the first (with the help of his Bible school students) in 1900, to "coin the phrase" that tongues was the "evidence" of receiving the Holy Ghost. Most "Classical Pentecostal" churches (for example: Church Of God Cleveland, Assemblies of God, Church Of God In Christ, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Church Of God Of Prophecy, United Pentecostal Church, etc.) teach initial evidence. It is important to remember that while Parham was a questionable character; this does NOT nullify the doctrines of the Word of God, namely the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Nevertheless, Charles Parham had some grievous moral issues: he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and worse than all, he was arrested around 1907 with the charge of sodomy, or "an unnatural offense." You really do not hear much about this scandal now; due to the fact that Parham viciously attacked his protégé, William J. Seymour, on racial lines (Parham referred to Seymour's church services as a "darkey camp meeting"). Thus, Seymour (thankfully) was forced to distance himself from Parham. Due to the embarrassment of Parham's life (and even questions regarding his mental fortitude); Pentecostalism rarely mentions the name of Parham.

However, these things happened and it would be my admonishment to those of us in the Pentecostal movement to not just "sweep under the rug," the things that happened with Parham; but to ACKNOWLEDGE and RENOUNCE the "stronghold" and "soul tie" of this sin; that I believe planted an ungodly seed within the movement. I have Bible to back me up on this:

• Matthew 13:27-30. ²⁷"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' ²⁸"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' ²⁹"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

SECOND, (this is NOTHING against females, however) especially in the Black Pentecostal circles; we (most of the time) emphasize the female expression of our faith. If you hear talk of the "good old days," we normally hear talk about the "old mothers." Rarely, do you hear anything at all about the "old fathers." Thus, if the ultimate epitome of spirituality is the female expression; this is what people are going to seek to emulate. To be blunt, you will have men "shouting," praying and expressing their faith in an effeminate manner. The only way for this to change is for MEN TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE and be examples of spirituality. In no way does that take away from females. But, all of us have our role to play in building the Kingdom of God:

• Psalm 107:31. ³¹Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

• 1 Timothy 2:8. ⁸Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

• Luke 18:1. ¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

• Judges 7:21 ²¹And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

THIRD, In the United States, among the black community, there has been a breakdown of the "nuclear" family. An inept government support system, narcotics and many other factors have lured black men out of the home and away from the children that they have fathered. Hats off to every lady that has had to raise children by herself. However, if the only example a young man has (of what it means to manage a household) is a female; then that is who he is going to emulate. Men, we cannot afford to be silent! We must be involved in our communities and churches; and young men must be a able to observe our example of what GODLY masculinity is really all about.

FOURTH, There is NO EXCUSE for how we have lowered the standards of the Church. Allow me to give you two examples. (A) I had a very popular choir director tell me, "Yes, a lot of these guys in the choir are homosexuals; but they sure make the best tenor section." That is a shame before God! (B) There was a popular minister who received a practicing homosexual into the membership of his large local Pentecostal church. When the minister was warned about this, his response was, "I don't care who he is sleeping with, as long as he pays his tithes." That is corruption at its worst! You cannot exploit people like that; nor lower the standard for personal gain. God forbid!

FIFTH, Admittedly, there is no such thing as a "homosexual detector," that you can place at the door of the Church (as a matter of fact, if you placed a "sin detector" at the door of the Church; Christianity would probably lose 99.9% of its 2.2 billion adherents overnight). The other thing is, (A) there can be a person that "appears" to be a homosexual; but they really are not. Then, (B) there can people that would be the least unlikely to suspect; but they are actually guilty. Thus, the best thing that the preacher can do is preach the Gospel; that is, DELIVERANCE FROM SIN, through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and being prepared for His soon return (Romans 1:16). Preaching prosperity, self-help, motivation, positive confession, etc., may help some people "down here," but it will NOT prepare people to make it "up there." Here is what Jesus said:

• Luke 4:18 ¹⁸"The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

A weak, "watered down," message will not free anyone. I am not saying that you have to badger people from the pulpit (that would be unwise) or "harp" on a particular sin (I have seen that normally when a person "harps" on something all the time; THAT PERSON actually has a problem in that area). For those who do not believe that preaching the Word of God will free anyone; you will have to argue with the Word itself: 1 Corinthians 1:21, "²¹For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

IN CONCLUSION, Here is how the Bible says that we are to deal with sin "in" the Church:

(A) "Church members" are going to have to be SAINTS and live holy (Hebrews 12:14). Romans 1:7, "⁷To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the LORD Jesus Christ." This will enable ALL sin to be addressed in the Church. Because the argument homosexuals (and other sinners) make is, "How can you correct me when you are: sleeping around, married five different times, have a secret addiction problem, stealing money from the Church, taking bribes, etc." GET RIGHT CHURCH AND LET'S GO HOME!

(B) We must remove this "anti-snitch" culture that has pervaded the church (originating from the "streets" and the U.S. prison system). This is the culture of, "as long as you don't tell on me, I won't tell on you." Or, "I'll cover for you." How can sin be dealt with; if you remain silent? The culture of the world has hurt the Church, with this "don't ask don't tell," mentality. The Bible says we are to come out from the world and be separate (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17). So we are NOT to be silent in the Church; we are to be ACCOUNTABLE to one another. It's hard to be accountable in this "entertainment," "showmanship," "mega-Church," age. But, the Church was designed to be a tight knit community; that held each other accountable; until Jesus returns:

• Matthew 18:15-17. ¹⁵"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' ¹⁷If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

(C) The Bible lets the saints know how to deal with a repentant "member" of the Church:

• Galatians 6:1. Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

(D) The Bible also says what to do in the case of a person who is non-repentant:

• 1 Corinthians 5:11-13. ¹¹But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. ¹²What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you."

The Bible is the "toolkit" that God gave to the saints, to enable us to live this life and address ANY kind of situation that we would face in the Church. If we simply follow what the Scriptures teach; we would be able to deal with the homosexual issue specifically and the sin issue in general. EVERYONE will have to come out of ALL SIN; if they want to be ready when Jesus comes!