An interesting take on issues

[KeithE]

[Dave Roberts]

Let me pose a non-theoretical question to know how others on BL would handle it. If your church received a request from families in the church for the church to host the memorial service for their brother who had been a member of the church since he was a teenager but who was gay, how would you respond? Accepting the funeral would mean also that his gay partner of some 30+ years would be seated in the traditional spouse seating for the service, and most of the attendees would be from the gay community. Would you accept it, and would you as a minister (if you are) be willing to officiate that service?

[KeithE]

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

[Tim Bonney]

[Dave Roberts]

I waited to share my response to the situation I stated. It is real though slightly altered to maintain anonymity. I did the memorial service, and am glad that I could. There seemed a strong presence among God's people to affirm this son of their church.