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"The Nines" Urges Leaders to Love Gays, Love Everyone More

The Christian Post reported one of the important points made by the pastors and leaders at last week’s “The Nines” online conference: Christian leaders need to make a point to show more love to everyone—including homosexuals—as Christ modeled for us. Hosted by the Leadership Network, the conference featured nearly 100 speakers touching on difficult topics such as homosexuality, social justice, ending church programs, pastoral obesity, and others.

Pastor Gregg Farah of Shelter Rock Church in New York said the homosexuality topic was an important one because “it gives the Church a chance to wrestle with both grace and truth.” He reminded listeners that gays “have names, are committed to their partners, love their children and want deeper relationships with God. … Are you wondering how to engage a gay couple at your church? Love them.”

Pastor J. D. Greear of The Summit Church in North Carolina said they made the “hard decision” to endorse a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, even though he struggled with the risk of obstructing the Gospel message. Tennessee pastor Stacy Spencer of New Direction Christian Church warned listeners against treating homosexuals the way people in biblical times treated lepers. “… We have to be willing to meet people where they are and … touch them in their place of hurt …”

And pastor Greg Lee of Suncrest Christian Church in Tennessee pointed out tha homosexuality “is not a predominant issue in the Scripture.” He makes a point to welcome everyone to his church, hoping they know they don’t have to have their lives “all cleaned up” before they attend and join their community. “Once you are engaged … you’ve essentially invited someone to speak into your life spiritually. Conversations about lifestyle come up and are addressed in a grace- and truth-filled way.”

Exclusive web content from conference speakers is available for the next two weeks on the Nines content page.