What must I do?

When I arrived in Bellingen in June, 2014 I looked to see where I should go to join other Christians worshipping, praying, learning and encouraging each other. In the first week I was invited to coffee by members of the Uniting Church leading to meeting others and making some lovely friends in short time.

I joined these people regularly although I did not become formal member of the Uniting Church. The beliefs of the Uniting Church in Australia are very flexible and accommodate even conflicting beliefs; it had the advantage that my beliefs are as acceptable as those that conflict with mine.

The friendships I have made are now very precious. I do not want to lose any of them. Certainly I do not want to hurt, upset, offend or confuse anyone. It has been a privilege to have been accepted as a service leader and preacher monthly.

Now, at the end of 2024, I have become very fond of the pastor of the congregation, I care for and support her as she continues her training from student to full pastor.

This passage came to my attention recently:

In the midst: getting free from fundamentalist ideas of Christianity, gaining courage to know that “everything belongs”, being a conscious ally of rainbow people, and -finally- re-encountering and validating my own queerness (the ‘coming-out’ bit is, slowly and awkwardly, coming along …) (www.ecofaith.org/folk)

See also Choose your adjective.

The Bible is very clear that there are standards of behaviour that Christians must maintain and others to avoid and that to be a follower of Jesus, a Christian keeps these standards. 

However, 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. Indeed, ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.’ (1 Corinthians 5:13. See Study on 2 Corinthians 2) I am unhappy that I need to make it clear that I do not support such behaviour in fellow Christians and not to associate myself with people that do.

As a Christian I will inevitably meet, work, socialise, know and live with people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. To do otherwise you would have to leave this world (1 Corinthians 5:10), acknowledging what business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?…God will judge those outside (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

 It appears that God allows those who choose not to know or glorify God to do what they want - and bear the consequences - while he continues to extend his loving offer of forgiveness through Jesus (Romans 1:24). If they repent and follow biblical standards then I can welcome them as a Christian brother or sister.