True Discernment

On Sunday, May 18, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families and their allies attended worship and met with staff and families from The Potter’s House, a 35,000-member multiracial, nondenominational mega-church in Dallas, Texas. Lead by Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter’s House is nationally recognized for its advocacy on social issues such as domestic violence, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. We commend the staff of The Potter’s House for the gracious manner in which they extended hospitality and respect for our visiting families. After the worship service and before a family mixer, Soulforce staff and volunteers engaged four top leaders in Bishop Jakes’ administrative team during a private meeting focused on finding common ground. Jeff Lutes, Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Rev. Gil Caldwell, Rev. Linda Craig, and Rev. Troy Sanders participated in the meeting to represent Soulforce and our partnering organizations. Afterwards, Bishop Jakes (who was recovering from back surgery) called Jeff Lutes and expressed appreciation for the manner in which Soulforce had reached out to him for dialogue. Bishop Jakes agreed to Jeff’s request for ongoing conversations.

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.†(1 Cor 5:9-13).