searching for open minded SA church (San Antonio, Helotes: college, gated, to live)

[adtobias]

I say .... who cares do what u like and be who u want to be. life is too short. go to what ever church that makes u feel good

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by adtobias

I say .... who cares do what u like and be who u want to be. life is too short. go to what ever church that makes u feel good

"Going" is not the OP's issue. They aren't allowed to volunteer, apparently because that church believes their own sinners are somehow better than the OP.

[Montirob]

Try also Madison Square Presbyterian downtown. I remember that the reverend raised a few eyebrows in the community when she publicly denounced the "definition of marriage" thing the state voted on a couple of years ago. I was impressed with her bravery.

[PopsGuysRule]

Originally Posted by AirForceDoc

I don't mean to sound condescending. It concerns me though, didn't Jesus teach that there was such a thing as sin? How is it that we want the Lord to change for us and not us change for the Lord? It's not hard to find someone who will tell you what you want to hear as long as you add to the plate. Or are you looking for a church that still will call a sin a sin but will still love its members and help them to come to Christ? Is that the kind of acceptance you mean?

Thanks for posting this, AirForceDoc....
This has been heavy on my mind for a while now.....
My niece and her partner are having a baby. They have a male friend (gay) who has donated sperm and my niece's partner is the one who was impregnated with it. The plan is that, in another year or two, my niece will do the same, same daddy/friend.
I was raised as a Baptist, and recently spent 8 years back in that small church in that small city in that small state back east. So, MENTALLY, I am conflicted about this .... but emotionally and in my heart, I have absolutely no qualms at all about what my lovely, bright, loving, funny, bright, professional, sweet niece is doing........
I know that both of these women are going to be terrific mothers. I've not met the young man (they live in Baltimore), but if my niece and her partner chose him, I am certain he is a fine person. Apparently, they are going to do this again in one or two years, same daddy..... partner went first because she is a couple years older.....
There was a point in my life when I had to decide that I would 'buy' every single word in the Bible, lock stock and barrel.... that I HAD to stop all argument and simply acknowledge I may 'see darkly now' but that I MUST either commit or not.... I committed.....
I am not altogether certain that those few stray verses in the Bible are always interpreted and used as God meant us to... but I do know this... the savior that I found, in the Bible and in my heart, would NEVER ever ask me to turn my back on my family or on any individual that I love, merely because they genuinely love in a different fashion than I.....
And I believe this as well: I believe he is just as joyous for this little
embryo---> fetus---> child, as for any other creation of his walking the earth.....
and in the meantime, I just am BESIDE MYSELF waiting for sweet little Jacob to get here!!!!! You'd think I was the grandmother!!!!

[JNA]

Originally Posted by sapphire

"Going" is not the OP's issue. They aren't allowed to volunteer, apparently because that church believes their own sinners are somehow better than the OP.

I think what the church may be indicating is that there is a difference between a person committing sin in their life versus living in sin. We are required to repent of our sins when we become Christians. That doesn't mean we will never sin.

However, we are not to live a life in sin as we should be changed beings after becoming a Christian. When sin is lovingly pointed out in our lives, we as Christians are called to repent of our sins, seek forgiveness, ask God's help in changing our lifestyle and make a concerted effort to do so.

[hamjeepr]

So, in reality, your looking for a "church" that will affirm you in your sin? Well, looks like you have many to choose from.

[Eleanor Rigby]

That was awfully rude.

[LadyAlli]

Originally Posted by hamjeepr

So, in reality, your looking for a "church" that will affirm you in your sin? Well, looks like you have many to choose from.

I believe the OP was asking for suggestions about an "open minded" church and not asking for criticism from other people. I'm sure he/she got enough of that from the church he/she was attending. It amazes me how some people can call themselves Christians, but be so critical of other people and be downright rude. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all!

To the OP: You seem like a wonderful person, and I hope you find a church that meets your needs. Good luck!

[AirForceDoc]

Very little rudeness in this post so far. San Antonio has churches of all sorts and that is what we learn from this post.

However there is a sidenote discussion going on regarding Christianity vs Societal Mores which I believe is actively discussed in SA as well as the world. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus says, "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword!" Jesus isn't condoning warfare here. Taken in context he is only repeating what he had said elsewhere in Luke that his disciples need to be willing to leave father, mother, brothers, sisters to follow him (in other words to make discipleship our focus). Taking up one's cross and bearing it is difficult. Why do you think Jesus uses that phrase? Taking up his cross was perhaps one of the most difficult things Jesus had to do. He had just sweat blood from his pores in the Garden of Gethsemane, He had been without sleep, he had been ridiculed, he had been spit upon, he had been whipped and beaten and then was called to carry His own cross to his site of execution. Here we have an opportunity to join Christ and carry our own crosses. Paul later preaches in Romans of the need to no longer be physically circumcised as a religious rite but that we need to be "circumcised of heart" in other words, changed of heart. Changing our wills to meet the will of God.

It can sometimes be confusing especially in today's "everything goes if it's not hurting someone else" world, but you know what? There is such a thing as right and wrong and Jesus left us with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to guide us and "teach us the truth of all things." Pray and ask God if these things are right or not and the Spirit will guide you if you seek in faith and real intent (James 1:5). By the way, I too, am a sinner and fully acknowlege this. I do however believe that it is OK to speak out for Christ. I'm no apostle, but I'm sure they heard the same things back then about "hey who do you think you are trying to tell me what to do" from the Jews and gentiles. It's always been that way and likely always will. There comes a time when we need to make a decision as did Joshua when his people were trying to choose between the "world's way" or the way of their faith when he said "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." And that wasn't the easy road, I'm sure. (Josh 24:15).

[open minded]

I attended St. Mark's on Sunday and the regular service is too traditional for me...I need something active to keep me listening. I saw they have a "come as you are service" also which seems like the type of service I am needing, so am going to try that next weekend. Also interested in trying BRCC, so may there go also next weekend. Thanks for all the suggestions and kind words. I will keep you posted.