Jason Thomas, a gay Dallas resident, has shared a letter he received from Watermark Community Church last year on Facebook.
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As Pink News reports, the letter reads:
Dear Jason,
This is a difficult letter to write, as I am sure that it will be a difficult one to hear and receive. We genuinely care for you, love you, and want nothing more for you than to live an abundant life that is found in Jesus Christ alone.However, in our attempt to shepherd you, we have recognised a destructive pattern that prohibits us in caring for you and playing the role you desire for us to have in your life (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28). Specifically, your desire to actively participate in a same-sex relationship with another man, and your unwillingness to heed biblical counsel from your church to turn from that relationship, has made it exceedingly difficult to shepherd you during this time.
As we noted during our time together last Tuesday (9/29/15), and through the years, we have gently & repeatedly brought these patterns to your attention and, at times, you have heeded this counsel and repented. But now, this is no longer the case. So, in obedience to Matthew 18:15-18 and 1 Corinthians 5:11, we are left with no other option but to remove you from our body and treat you as we would anyone who is living out of fellowship with God…and we lovingly, but firmly, call you back to repentance. This means that you are no longer a member of our body at Watermark. We are praying that repentance comes quickly and that you do not continue choosing a path of destruction and one that leads you away from the authority and care of the church.
We recognise that these patterns are only symptoms of a heart that is either unwilling or unable to fully trust God in every area of your life, including your sexuality. We plead with you to run to the Lord and allow the Spirit of God to begin to transform your heart in a mighty way (Titus 3:3-7).
In order to help you through this time, we would like to make some tangible recommendations that we hope will serve as a catalyst for true repentance and heart-change in your life. They are:
1. Faithful attendance of Re:Generation targeting the above issue, while following counsel to not be in a dating relationship during that time. 2. Meet with a Watermark staff member who shares in the same struggle (same sex attraction) who has found freedom, healing, and victory through our Savior Jesus Christ (just let Brandon know when you’re ready to meet with him).
We affirm your many gifts, your heart of kindness, and we value the way God has uniquely formed you (Psalm 139:13-14). We all pray for your repentance and full restoration so that your gifts and passions can be fully unleashed for the Kingdom of God. We love you, Jason, and stand at the gate for you and eagerly await God’s restoration in your life (Luke 15:20).
In Christ,
The Elders of Watermark Community Church
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Now, one year later, Thomas has posted a response to the letter:
Dear Watermark Community Church,
Today I celebrate a very interesting anniversary with you. It was exactly one year ago when you told me that I was no longer worthy to serve, be in a community group, and be a member of your church.
I spent years in your church battling against my homosexuality. I believed with all my heart that God would change me; I prayed for change almost daily. But when I wasn’t able to change, you turned your back on me.
You say our “sin” is not unique, but you treat us in a unique manner; this is unacceptable behavior. We are actual people that have actual feelings.
Here we are a year later and you are still doing to others what you did to me. You are tarnishing the name of God to Christians and non-Christians alike; you should be ashamed of yourselves! Do not forget, Jesus was angry with people just like you who said certain groups of people were not worthy to be followers of Him.
Thank you for removing yourself from my life! I am who God made me to be. I cannot change my sexual orientation and nor would I want to. I now have internal peace and happiness unlike ever before.
Jason Thomas
The church has subsequently responded to Thomas’ letter in the Dallas News:
An individual’s formal relationship with us as a member is only changed when someone no longer desires to resist sin and refuses our help, care and encouragement.
“Even if someone’s formal membership status is removed, they are always welcome to attend Watermark and be reminded of the grace and truth of our savior Jesus Christ.”
Chris
Wow. Talk about using lots of words (the Church) to say very little.
Kieran
Based on the picture you used, I thought it was a Catholic priest that was kicked out. The Watermark Community Church is clearly a Protestant sect. They no doubt welcome with open arms people who are divorced and remarried, even though Jesus clearly warns that such people are committing adultery.
“Woe to you hypocrites!”
ChrisK
@Kieran: I’ll never get the mind pretzel twisting and cherry picking these people are capable of. They say that faith is suspending logic. I guess that’s why I’m not religious.
ChrisK
I’d say that Jason is much better off outside of this little hate cult.
Heywood Jablowme
But it’s cute that they wanted to set him up on a date with someone who “shares in the same struggle (same sex attraction)….” It almost seems from the wording that they had someone specific in mind. Unless maybe they have several dozen of them.
Kangol
It is a bit weird that Queerty used an image of a Catholic priest. Perhaps save that for a story, and there’s more than enough to choose from, about homophobia in the Catholic church. Glad that this young man got the hell out of that wackadoodle pseudo-Christian cult.
Kangol
Watermark Community Church = “wackadoodle pseudo-Christian cult.”
Billy Budd
Religion is poison. It is a disease.
Chase the Rainbow
His first response should have been:
“That’s fine. As you are removing me from your body, I’d like to remove my tithings from your coffers. As I put $$ a week onto the collection plate, the total of $$ x 52weeks x years attending church comes to $$$$$$. Please make the check for $$$$$$ payable to HRC/Lamda Legal/Trevor Project.”
The church I had to go to as a kid had envelopes so they could record EXACTLY how much you gave.
If the church diesn’t want a “sinful” gay in their midst, they shouldn’t keep his tainted money. Better it go to a charity who can actually help “sinners” like him.
KentonF
Religion is so full of shit. It makes you feel guilty for being who you are, but then can’t demonstrate that the critter which you are judged which is responsible for the guilt is even factual to begin with. Screw that. It’s all lies.
KentonF
@KentonF: criteria not critter. Damn autocorrect.
scotshot
@scotshot:
A PS to be add to his note to the church.
I’ve tasted c*ck and I love it!
Doughosier
He probably could have hooked up with the Church’s ex gay, Brandon, if he’d stuck around.
KerryB
Religion is the only contagious form of mental illness. Christianity is nothing but a cult of hypocrisy.
He BGB
I resent that churches are now zeroing in on gays like it’s the #1 sin, the priority of Christ. Like none of them have a sin that is as bad or have no sins worth mentioning. Like gay people can’t be Christians too. It all just spells out homophobia to me. And homophobia comes from fear and ignorance. I don’t remember this fear and ignorance until AIDS was blamed on gay men.
woodroad34
“Even if someone’s formal membership status is removed, they are always welcome to attend Watermark and be reminded of the grace and truth of our savior Jesus Christ.”
Wrote someone who doesn’t understand any of it; has not learned the lesson and is stuck in a spiraling cycle of venomous sin and ignorance.
Actually, Jason Thomas is reminded of Jesus’ grace every day he isn’t a member of that hate group.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
Where’s is that Muslim poster on here to defend Christians? Where are any gays here to defend Christianity the way they defend Islam. Religion is garbage to me but boy do gays love Muslims and loathe Christians. It makes zero sense to me. As an Atheist – where are gays standing with “LGBT against Christianphobia”? Snort.
girldownunder
“We affirm your many gifts, your heart of kindness, and we value the way God has uniquely formed you (Psalm 139:13-14).”
Nah, j/k– we’re still c*nts & you’re still banned.
Religion is pure evil, in all forms.
michel_banen
Religion is fiction, it’s what people want to “believe” in.
So being leaving a “church” should not be anything else than stop watching cartoons; it’s all non-sense.
scotty
if you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
jkthsnk
The only perfect response to religion is departure and/or silence.
ChicagoBlue
Just a couple of things here.
1) This is a so-called “non- deminational” church. They practice a fundamentalist strain of Christianity.
2) they also have no over site, there is no leadership board where the entire deminitation gets together and makes decisions on theology. The parish basically gets to make shit up as they go along with nobody guiding them on doctrine or an agreed theology. This is what you get when the clowns run the circus
3) there are many mainline Protestant faiths, along with 2 sects of Judaism that have been welcoming and supportive for the last 20 years or more. They are known as “inclusive faiths”
4) I grew up, and still attend the Episcopal Church, as well as being the child of clergy. We have a national convention every 4 years where the Bishops and lay people hash out doctrine and theology. We started ordaining women 30 years ago, blessing same sex unions 10, and performing the marriage rite 3.
5) We are also known as the refuge of Catholics who don’t want to put up with bullshit from Rome about things like women clergy, a woman’s right to choose, and gay marriage. We have had gay clergy for years. Our Presiding Bishop (the first among equals) is a woman
6) I understand so many people have been excluded and shamed out of the church. But be aware that clowns like this are a minority.
7) The MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) in fact founded by both gay and straight members.
8)One of the things I’m most proud of is the sign outside ever Episc church that says ” the episcopal church welcome you” Not just people who look and act like us, but everyone. And I say this as an out gay man for 25 years.
Lastly, about that collar illustration. While its known as a “Roman Collar” its used throughout many Protestant faiths.
No true Christian would think of using the Bible as a weapon, trust me.
Sorry about the rant, but this shit bothers me.