Gwinnett minister to apologize to those condemned by Christians

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 3/29/08 | REBECCA McCARTHY

[madprof98]

Gays, women seeking abortions, couples not married will be included

Just as the Christian church has done many wonderful things throughout history, says the Rev. Richard Mark Lee, it also has done many terrible things, such as targeting, judging and condemning various individuals and groups.

On Sunday, Lee plans to apologize for these past wrongs in a sermon at his church, Sugar Hill Baptist, known as The Family Church. Some of the groups Lee said he'll apologize to include gays, women seeking abortions and couples who live together outside of marriage.

"For too long, we're been known for the issues we're against, not for the God we're for," said Lee, 38.

Lee makes it clear he's not speaking for, or against, the conservative Southern Baptist Convention, to which his church belongs. He doesn't know if there will be some fallout from his sermon.

One religious scholar is heartened by the gesture.

"If this is an evangelical church with roots in the Southern Baptist Convention, this is a bold and distinctive move, and one that I would honor and respect," said Tom Ogletree, professor of theological ethics at Yale Divinity School.

The "bumpersticker mentality" that seems to govern how people identify themselves clearly isn't benefiting anyone, said Lee, who has led the church for seven years and has a doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Some people in the Christian church are more interested in promoting their political and personal interests than their Christian values, he said.

Some churchgoers have condemned gay people, picketed abortion clinics or ignored the poor and homeless, Lee said. If Jesus were alive today, he would minister to these groups, Lee says.

"Why is the gospel of love dividing America? The unchurched world views us as judgmental and homophobic," says Lee. "I don't think God is going to ask what label we wore. He's going to ask what did we do for Jesus."

Hoschton resident Jimmy Wilson has been attending the Family Church with his wife Diane for five years. He says he's not surprised his pastor would tackle such a difficult topic as apologizing.

"His message is it's not about us, it's about God," Wilson says. "We need to be changing lives, and that's what our church's ministry is about. It's about reaching out to other people."

[madprof98]

The Atlanta paper has been pushing this story on its website--kind of a "Southern Baptists See the Light" thing. Presumably no apology is going to be issued to the victims of the bad conduct the evil Christians have had the nerve to denounce.

[Psycho_Bunny]

My, but the reverend has a mighty high opinion of himself.

[Eagles6]

What a twit.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Hey schmuck, you’re not “apolgizing” on my behalf. I have nothing to “apologize” for.

Apparently this idiot thinks a culture run amok doesn’t have repercussions here on earth so we should just sit still and take it, regardless of the consequences to us and to others.

[Fido969]

I was concerned - until I saw it was the Atlanta Journal Constitution, which ranks somewhere around the Onion for believability.

[50sDad]

No doubt he’ll be apologizing to the Woman at the Well for Christ assuming she had sins she needed to be forgiven for, what with being part of an “unmarried couple.”

[gidget7]

Another so called pastor, leading his flock astray. So very sad to see.

[westmichman]

Rev. Dick Mark Lee I forgive thee not.

[eyedigress]

Conservatives breed prosperity, prosperity breed liberals, liberals breed failure, failure breed conservatives.

[Patrick1]

Another dying church.

[chris_bdba]

Quick everyone pray for lightening! LOL I’m bad I know! :)

[muawiyah]

There they go again, apologizing for stuff they had no part in.

Sure, it sounds like one preacher, but there are those in attendance who support him.

Just when will they learn to get out of other folk's bedrooms.

[jer33 3]

I'm holding out for more information. I do have some friends that are in lay ministry there and a former pastor from our church is now on staff. I have no concerns about their theology or moral compass.

Actually, go to the church's website. "We're Sorry!" seems to be an outreach event to the community. Hope there is good attendance!

[crghill]

Where is Martin Luther when we need him?

[gidget7]

Yes indeed. Never thought I would see the day at a place called “Southern Baptist”.

[don-o]

Wonder if he’ll throw in an apology to the murdered unborn?

Unreal.

[LiteKeeper]

Let me get this straight: a pastor is apologizing to sinners for saying the same thing about their life styles as God says, and excusing them for making unholy choices?

When did God rescind His condemnation of these lifestyles?

[DarthVader]

The effects of liberation theology are running rampant in the Church today. These goofy ministers seem to think they have a monopoly on God’s love and mercy. But the truth is they are preaching a humanistic feel good social gospel without requiring repentance from sin.

[bboop]

Is he apologizing because his version of Christianity no longer condemns those things? Episko-Baptist?

[bboop]

It is God’s Love without God’s Laws. tsk tsk.

[DarthVader]

This is the type of crowd who votes for Obama Heretic.

[Kirkwood]

“”For too long, we’re been known for the issues we’re against, not for the God we’re for,” said Lee, 38. “

Did they change the parts of the Bible where God comes down hard on sin? Seems like God is still against all that stuff.

“

[upsdriver]

Some churchgoers have condemned gay people, picketed abortion clinics or ignored the poor and homeless, Lee said. If Jesus were alive today, he would minister to these groups, Lee says.

First of all, Jesus IS alive today. Secondly, gay people condemn themselves on their own. Abortion clinics actually KILL innocent babies, and Christians do minister to the poor and the homeless and even homosexuals. Christians are more giving, more compassionate and more effective at helping others than any other group of people on God's earth, including any and every government program in existence. And what is wrong with trying to stop the wholesale slaughter of the most innocent among us?

[VRWCer]

He need not be apologizing for me - I still believe that these are sinful behaviors! God Himself, through the Bible says so, and therefor the Catholic Church (my Church!) says so - who am I to say different. This person may be luring people into his parish, but he is leading their souls astray, and that is truly a sin.

[tpanther]

AMEN! WELL said!

This is just soooooo surreal!

One of my pet peeves is when someone says: “Oh what evils people have done in the name of Christianity”!

And actually going so far as blaming the holocaust and genocide of native Americans and the “evils” of the crusades on Christians.

Just because Adolf occasionally read scripture at his Nuremberg rallies doesn’t by any stretch “make him a Christian”!

NO where in the New Testament did Jesus or His disciples suggest we kill off native peoples to distinction!

Moreover, we’re to forgive and minister to the sinner, NOT accept, ignore, placate, equivocate, jusitify, explain, or somehow be “progressive” about ANY sin!

But understanding this would actually require a true study of scripture as well as spiritual discernment with the assistance and guidance from the Holy Spirit!

[informavoracious]

The apologies are going the wrong way. It is incumbent upon sinners, including me, to apologize to God for our sins. The ‘picketers’ at abortion clinics are generally there to provide sidewalk counseling to women in need. When prevented from doing so by escorts, their only recourse is to picket and act as the voice of the innocent unborn.

[SoConPubbie]

Just another non-Christ-like so-called Christian Minister speaking a bunch of nonsense.

Jesus will not hold him faultless at the judgement.

[ApplegateRanch]

When He “ministered” to the woman brought to him ‘caught in the act’ (but, somehow the man wasn't also brought, as required by Law) it was by telling her to go and sin no more.

These pastors & theologians would do well to remember that.

[kiriath_jearim]

http://www.fbsh.org/about.htm "Thanks for checking out our website. Hopefully you'll find the information you need about who we are, what we believe and what we have to offer you to help you find and follow Jesus. God is doing something special at The Family Church. It is our prayer that you will experience all that God intended through a life lived on mission with Him. My prayer is that you might know Jesus Christ personally as your Lord and Savior. The forgiveness, freedom and fulfillment everyone wants to experience is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a church home, I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider The Family Church becoming your church home. God has truly blessed us with a strong and sweet family of faith. If I or any of our staff can assist you by answering questions and pointing you in the right direction, please let us know. Again, thank you for checking us out on the web. Join us this Sunday as our guest at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 AM. I look forward to meeting you! Dr. Richard Mark Lee Senior Pastor