“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,” the letter said.
A gay man disciplined by a Dallas church for giving in to his homosexual desires is now the center of a social media campaign against the congregation.
On Oct. 9, Jason Thomas, who was removed from the membership of Watermark Community Church a year ago, posted the letter informing him of the elders’ decision to remove him from the church on social media.
The letter said the church had undertaken a difficult but necessary step to encourage Thomas to recognize the “destructive pattern [of behavior] 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,” the letter said.
The letter said Thomas had heeded the church’s counsel in the past and repented of the sin of homosexuality, but “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 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.”
The letter concludes with steps Thomas could take to return to the church, including exhibiting repentance and going through biblical counseling.
“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 passion 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),” the letter concluded.
A return to the church, while not impossible, seems much less likely now that Thomas is receiving both affirmation and support for his views that the church is wrong. Thomas also posted a letter to the church on his social media page claiming he was celebrating “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,” Thomas wrote on his Facebook page.
Thomas said he spent years battling against homosexuality and believed God would change him. He said he prayed daily for change, 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,” Thomas wrote.
