Two homosexual groups plan to launch a national campaign targeting the most influential megachurches and its leaders in an attempt to change their views on gays and lesbians.
Soulforce, which promotes "pro-gay" interpretations of Scripture, and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) are currently recruiting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) parents and their children along with other supporters for "The American Family Outing" in 2008. Selected families will visit six major megachurches to "educate" the public on the issue of homosexuality.
"Through our visibility we hope to peacefully challenge the false stereotypes about LGBT people and same-gender families, and educate the public through authentic and personal conversations - real parents sharing their stories and describing the hurtful effects of prejudice and religious condemnation," said a statement describing the national campaign, which will run from Mother's Day weekend in May through Father's Day weekend in June.
Churches being targeted are those led by Joel Osteen, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dr. Rick Warren, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., Bill Hybels and Bishop Eddie Long. Along with most Christian leaders, all have expressed to some degree an opposition to the homosexual lifestyle.
Soulforce contends that these younger generation evangelical leaders "are striving to change the tone of the national political debate with messaging that is less punitive, therefore making religion-based discrimination seem more palatable to the mainstream American public."
The upcoming campaign comes at a time when more evangelical churches are showing compassion toward the homosexual community. While still rejecting homosexual behavior as sin, Christians are increasingly welcoming and loving homosexuals, departing from the hateful and homophobic labels often attached to churches.
Still, churches continue to struggle with the issue of homosexuality in a culture that is more open to gay and lesbian lifestyles.
Participants of The American Family Outing plan to attend a worship service at each of the megachurches and also request time for panel discussions and a chance to engage in informal conversations with congregants of the churches.
Before the visits, 40 recruited families are required to attend a weekend of training in Austin, Texas, in February to prepare for theological dialogue and nonviolent direct action.
Comments
Maranatha:
this emerging church is an apostate movement. It tries to blend in the New Age and Mysticism into the "contemporary church" this is why it is important to get solid expository teaching from the Word of God in context. These emerging churches which are mainly "emergent conversations" don't even have a solid set of beliefs or doctrinal statements yet. Sadly, they are influencing our youth, youth pastors and many in the "liberal" or more "progressive" circles of denominations and Christian Movements. Since they primarily deal with the "felt needs" of people, they don't tackle the tougher issues of sin, repentance, forgiveness, etc. They water down the Scriptures to a mush. Rick Warren has been heavily influenced by the Emerging Church Movement, and is a proponent of Bono from U2 with his stance on COEXIST. He (Rick Warren) has endorsed some of their leading author's books, etc. This movement is nothing more that New Age disguised in a thin layer of "chrisitanity". The proposterous statements made by some of their leaders should be enough of a red flag for many Christians, but sadly it's not, because many people are more in tune with their feelings, than on fact from the Word of God. Hence, there comes the deception from the enemy of our souls who has come to steal, kill, and destroy, and goes about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
One of the problems with "contemplative prayer" and "meditation" in the church today is how those terms are defined. We know that Joshua 1 gives the Biblical meaning of "meditation" and we know that "contemplating God's goodness while in prayer" is also a wonderful thing. The problem is, these meanings are not what is meant by those terms in today's "emergent church". Rather, these are thinly-disguised New Age-ish / pagan practices are derived from writings of ancient and contemporary mystics whose beliefs were not soundly based on scripture.
I learned of this trend with great sorrow when I found that an author I had always enjoyed had gone that direction. I read her three-part autobiography. The first was solidly Biblical. The second showed that she had been exposed to Thomas Merton's (one of the mystics) writings and was beginning to mix that with her Biblical beliefs. By the time she wrote the third book detailing her "journey", she was so far from the Word of God, it was truly frightening; she had discarded her Biblical beliefs.
If anyone doesn't understand and / or does't believe me, I encourage you to read those books, in this order:
God's Joyful Surprise
When the Heart Waits
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
...all written by Sue Monk Kidd
http://www.suemonkkidd.com/author.asp
No problem Charles. May the Lord Bless You.
jc4me:
Sorry if I phrased that comment improperly, I didn't mean you, as I agree with your comments.
I believe GOD looks at the heart and is the only one who knows our deepest thoughts and motives and some one who is truly seeking Him will find Him. We who do know him are always to help one another and those who are mature should teach the ones who are new Christians.
Also a light needs to shine in this darkness to guide others to Christ and if you carry that light then you are one of His that leads the blind.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
hey jc4me...
I havent heard from you recently either. ;-) I will write in the next few days.
Thank you for you wisdom on contemplative prayer. Actually, I have heard of that before, and something in my spirit always cringed when I heard that phrase. The same thing when I hear of Christians taking yoga and "meditating'. When I used to be involved in martial arts, meditating was part of the training. They talked about "finding peace withing yourself" and "becoming one with your body, soul, and spirit". I would always just spend time fellowshipping with God! LOL. That's where my peace came from. And that's who I want to be one with.
But I do know there is a lot of new age spiritualism sneaking into our churches. I am always on the lookout in our particular congregation for such situations. It is a nasty lie that wraps itself in light to try and decieve us. But we must be vigilant.
charles wrote:
"Prayer is simply talking to GOD. It's not how you do it but why. Don"t let the enemy rob you of your time alone with GOD. Does anyone hear you if you do not speak?"
charles, i know that prayer is talking to God. I'm not sure if when you said "don't let the enemy take away your time alone with God" if you were referring to me being the enemy's pawn, and there is no reason for you to jump to that conclusion, when all I am trying to do is give my dear brother Prophet, as well as my sister in Christ an exhortation to stay away from some of the emergent church doctrines. Charles, i don't know if this is the first time you come to this sight, but I have been and most likely will comment on some pretty controversial subjects that otherwise would not be exposed, because neither Zondervan publishers, nor TBN will screen who they allow to teach either by written word, or verbally, so all I'm doing is exhorting the brethren in sound doctrine. Isn't that what the Scriptures advise us to do as we draw closer to God? There are false doctrines out there, ad I'm let's say a modern day Berean when it comes to many "new" teachings, or old ones that may have eror to them. For instance. Nowaday's many churches are bringing in icons to their "evangelical" sermons, they are dimming the lights and lighting candels in order for people to "visualize" God and "experience" God. Wile I am not staunchly against candels, I am against people trying to use them in conjunction with icons, pictures, vintage relics, etc in order to "feel" God. See, this is just one of many errors of the eerging church, of which, the previous issue I spoke about was contemplative prayer.
Prophet, I have not heard from you via email anymore. Are you doing ok?
Prophet, no I am not saying the way you pray to God is wrong. I was trying to respond to a statement made by anniefourjesus, but because you responded to my post by saying you did not know what contemplative spirituality (prayer) was, then I responded to both, just help you both understand from where this idea promoted by many catholic mystics, jessuits, and some post modern Christians such as Tony Campolo promote. I was simply saying that what they are promoting is wrong because of it's mystic/new age roots. That's all. No harm meant to you in my statement. I just wanted you to check out the sight(s) so you could be informed about what Christian authors you allow into you home via book or TV. That's all. And just for the record, I do believe in quiet time with the Father God. Jesus Christ exhorts us to get away from this busy life, and seek after Him, and to sometimes just sit at His feet, so NO absolute not, I am not against you interceding for people and nations, and ministries that God's Will would be done.
Charles...
I know...and I'm at peace with my time of fellowship with God. I was just curious if jc4me thought that I was in error.
Prayer is simply talking to GOD. It's not how you do it but why. Don"t let the enemy rob you of your time alone with GOD. Does anyone hear you if you do not speak?
So, you're saying the way I pray is incorrect?
Prophet and anniefourjesus:
here is another article that might warn you of the dangers of contemplative spirituality, and why so many evangelicals as well as myself are so staunchly against it
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/The_Emergent_Church_pdf/Emerging%20Church%20Indoctrinates%20Part%203.pdf
I hope this helps. God Bless you guys!
http://www.understandthetimes.org/ec/eccontemplative.shtml
News Alert
Contemplative Prayer - Emerging Church
and Roman Catholicism
Commentary By Roger Oakland
www.understandthetimes.org
May 29, 2006
"A copyrighted article that does not permit rebroadcast has been published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer regarding a thirty foot Marian statue of "Our Lady of the Holy Rosary" built in the Philippines by a contemplative Catholic group for the purpose of contemplative prayer.
News Alert
Contemplative Prayer - Emerging Church
and Roman Catholicism
This article located at http://news.inq7.net/lifestyle/index.php?index=1&story_id=77310 is of paramount importance with respect to the warnings we have been issuing regarding contemplative prayer and its connection with Roman Catholic mysticism.
Contemplative prayer is one of the major ideas being introduced by the Emerging Church promoted by numerous Emerging Church promoters including Chuck Smith, Jr., Dr. Robert Webber, Richard Foster, and Brian McLaren.
Later this week Understand The Times will be publishing a lengthy commentary titled "The Emerging Church: Another Road to Rome" which will document the connection between the Emerging Church and Roman Catholicism. This movement is influencing Christianity worldwide - fellowships, movements and denominations - including Calvary Chapels.
This past week Pastor Chuck Smith sent out a position paper to all Calvary Chapel pastors making it clear that embracing the Emerging Church was not compatible with the Calvary Chapel movement and if pastors planned to go that direction they would no longer be able to call themselves Calvary Chapel.
Every serious Christian should read the article posted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. It will give you a first hand account of the connection of contemplative prayer with Roman Catholicism.
For further information on this subject you can refer to the following four radio programs (transcripts) posted at www.understandthetimes.org that will provide information that will help you understand contemplative prayer. These programs are located at: http://www.understandthetimes.org/archives/aprmay2006.shtml
1937 - What Is Contemplative Prayer? 4/11/06
1938 - Thomas Merton - 4/12/06
1939 - Richard Foster - 4/13/06
1940 - Contemplative Terror - 4/14/06
I would also strongly recommend you consider reading the following two books available at our site:
Time of Departing - Ray Yungen
Running Against The Wind - Brian Flynn
I urge you to become informed about this very critical issue.
Sincerely in Jesus,
Roger Oakland'
I don't know much about what "contemplative prayer" actually is, but i, like annie, do look forward to my time with God. I do believe in deep spiritual fellowship with my Father. I do consider what being saved really is...am i living the life that pleases my Father? If not, what can I do to change that. I talk intimately with Him (WITH Him...meaning I talk AND listen). I ask Him for wisdom, Holy Spirit power, discernment, and the fruits of the Spirit. I also spend much time praying for others as well. And I pray against the dark spiritual powers that seek to destroy. I don't pray in the typical fashion...i walk a lot and im very vocal. And sometimes His glory, mercy and love drives me to my knees in humbleness.
Prayer should be an intimate time between God and you. And if it is intimate, you will be sensitive to His voice 24/7. To pray without ceasing means to be in tune with His Spirit at all times...not to be on your knees praying 24/7. That would be nuts! I had a friend years ago that tried that....what a mess...
But when you have that intimate relationship with Him, you will know His voice whenever and wherever He speaks.
anniefourjesus:
By the way, as a disclaimer, I wasn't refering to everything in your post. I had issue with the portion that had to do with contemplative prayer. Other than that, I pretty much agree with most of what you said, and we do need to be salt and light to our world. America in particular has backslidden from it's former Christian roots, and having said that, now materialism, and self indulence have become America's god.