On the Tuesday, June 28th edition of TRUNEWS, Oklahoma City pastor Terry Bates shares how listeners walked out of his Assemblies of God church after a message on homosexuality one Sunday morning.
Bates is pastor of Oklahoma City Faith Church, a congregation of 1800 located in the state's influential capital city. The church, founded over 91 years ago, has seen many changes through the years. However, Pastor Bates in his discussion with TRUNEWS host Rick Wiles says that this may be the most challenging in the church's long history.
After a series of messages over several weeks encouraging the listeners to respond to the 'fire of God', Pastor Bates waded into the controversy over homosexuality, highlighting it's sin as compared to Scripture:
"I was literally shocked, personally, when I began to see people get up, move out, walk out the door kinda shaking their heads. "
Bates says that the people who were most likely to walk out on a message on the Biblical stance of homosexuality are those people with relationship connections with those in the LGBT community. Be it a son, daughter or parent, many going to traditional churches that seek to maintain Biblical standards are being actively challenged by the LGBT agenda in our nation.
Host Rick Wiles pointed out that the Assemblies of God has a long tradition of being one of the bedrock denominations when it comes to Biblical values, and he was surprised that listeners and members did not know what the Scriptures has to say on the issue. Pastor Bates responded:
"I think they do (know the Bible). I think that many across our movement, whether it's the Assemblies of God or any other mainline denomination, or even the conservative movement, there are many people who are wrestling with this issue. (They say) I know what the Bible says, but my friend over here has this 'special' situation going on. I think what we've done is we've put 'asterisks' in the Bible, so that when we read about something that we don't agree with, or we have a relationship with someone who is doing something different, we want to put an asterisk or footnote saying that doesn't apply."
Pastor Bates insists that it all comes back to the integrity of the Scriptures regardless of what our opinion or general culture around us says is what is acceptable. The church as a whole was at first tolerant, and then acceptable of sin, including homosexuality.
The pastor pointed out that even though he is willing to call sin, 'sin', that does not negate the desire of God to work in the life of an individual and transform them. He says of Oklahoma City Faith Church:
"I want to be clear; anybody can come to my church. I don't care what your lifestyle is, I don't care if you've had a sex change. That's not my issue. But don't come in and expect us to rewrite the Bible to accomodate your life or your choices. I'm still going to preach the same message, because it is the standard-bearer, it is the plumb-line that everything else is measure against."
This isn't the first time that the church has received a backlash because of Bates' messages. Several months ago, some of the church windows were blown out in response to sermons delivered by the fiery pastor.
The entire interview with Pastor Terry Bates can be heard on the June 28th edition of TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles
Diana Pullman of Z3 News, who also attends Oklahoma City Faith Church writes:
I don't know what's happening in everyone else's home church, but let me tell you what we're experiencing.
Our pastor has begun preaching a message of repentance, saying things like, "It doesn't matter who becomes President, no man can save this country!"
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
I've watched him transform to preach this end time message, and he's on fire for the Lord. But as soon as his messages became politically incorrect, people began to walk out of the services – right in the middle of his messages. Tithes and offerings are down 50%, and he's getting letters saying he needs to repent for his messages!
Saints, a huge separation is taking place. I agree and am praying fervently that the blinders will come off. And I'm confident that the great shaking to come will jolt many wide awake. Our Lord is merciful in bringing this shaking.
What Is the Position of the Assemblies of God on Homosexuality?
Officially, the Assemblies of God believes strongly that God has declared great displeasure and opposition toward homosexual conduct...
http://www.trunews.com/assemblies-go...r-lgbt-rebuke/