A friend had a facebook status that said, "If a fat man can lead a church, serve on a church staff, and not be held responsible for his lack of self discipline when it comes to gluttony, then why can’t a gay man lead a church, serve on a church staff and not be held responsible for his lack of self discipline when it comes to homosexuality?
To this I replied, "I am saying that gluttony and homosexuality are two different struggles with different consequences. If a "Christian homosexual" is a homosexual that doesn't act out his or her desires, then is a fat man on a diet the same?
The question that we really seem to be asking here is "Are all sins the same?" Or "Should all sin be dealt with in the same manner?" My answer to this question is, no. A child molester to me is worse than someone who cusses, and a homosexual to me is a worse sin to me than gluttony. Maybe this logic is flawed, but it would seem from a biblical point of view it is a right logic as well. There are different laws in the OT some with minor consequences, and some with major, hence; not all sins are the same. Also, in the NT Paul lists sins that will "not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal 5:19) sexual sin makes this list while gluttony does not. Granted again, sexual sin includes just as much, premarital sex, pornography, than homosexuality. Rev 21:8 is another example of the type of sins that will be punished severely.
Now I said that to say this as much as I don't like to admit it, leadership in the Christian world or not should all be held to a higher standard. James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." If you are leading people astray theologically, "Trading truth of God for a lie." (like being an openly practicing homosexual is okay) Then this is a double no no. ...
Can a person who struggles with homosexually be forgiven of Christ and brought into relationship with him OF COURSE! Jesus loves the homosexual enough to die for him/her. Can a person that has struggled with homosexuality be a minister, yes. I WAS an alcoholic and a druggie, and I am now a minister. But if a person is openly gay, and proud of it then they are disqualified to be a minister until they reconcile themselves to God. Ted Haggard is a great case study on this topic. He was found to be in a homosexual affair and soon after sought reconciliation with his wife and the body of Christ. He is again in ministry.
The bottom line, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:8-10
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