Gay and Christian?
By: Import User
Updated: April 2, 2009
Can you be gay and Christiana? That's the issue that one Abilene church is working to answer as they host a concert put on by a gay, Christian contemporary artist.
"Can he [Ray Boltz] be who he was to them [the Christian Music Industry], and be gay?" asks Reverend Cindi Love, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Christian Church.
The Exodus Metropolitan Community Church is hosting a Palm Sunday concert, featuring Ray Boltz, a gay, Christian Artist, and it's causing quite a stir.
"Because of his lifestyle choices, that he's made, there will be a lot of people that will not go to see him," admits Serena Alsides, who knows of Boltz's music.
"I disapprove of his choice, but I love him, as a sister, and what he believes is Christ and that's what he has to walk," says Denise Wilkinson.
As Reverend Love points out, being a gay man and Christian does challenge some people's beliefs. "He came out as a gay man, recently, and I think some of the folks in the Christian Music Industry, are still struggling with what that really means."
As for these women, they say even with Ray's sexual preference, they still love him and support his message. "I just feel that we have to still love him, he is still a brother," says Alsides.
"God loves us all, even with our faults. I believe that no matter who he is and the choices he makes, that as a Christian we have to choose to love him and lift him up," says Wilkinson.
Which is what Reverend Margaret Walker, Pastor of Exodus MCC, hopes the outcome of this weekend's concert will be. "I'm hoping that people will be able to see beyond their differences and come together at this concert, and this whole weekend."
