Omaha area John 14:6 denying clergy plan Event that focuses on promoting gay agenda

[billiefan2000]

the Omaha world herald wont allow the monthly HPN aka Hollywood prayer Network of Omaha event in the church events page of the paper because a prayer meeting is somehow considered "controversial" accroding to the omaha world herald


yet this same paper will promote anything Elnes and Florence (both Universalists) says or does

================================================== =============

Event focuses on ending all sexual discrimination
By Jane Palmer
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


Christian clergy in the Omaha area plan to announce their objection to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Heartland Clergy for Inclusion organization plans to read a proclamation calling for an end to all religious and civil discrimination against any person based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

“We find no rational biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person based on sexual orientation,” said Rev. Jane Florence of First United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church, one of the event organizers, said silence by many has created the impression that there is only one Christian perspective on the issue. The group hopes Wednesday’s event will show another view.

Florence said that more than 100 clergy members in the Omaha area have signed the proclamation and that several of them will participate Wednesday. There will be prayer, Scripture reading and an apology for those affected by discrimination. Organizers have invited the Omaha City Council to attend, Florence said.


more... Event focuses on ending all sexual discrimination - Omaha.com

[myinnuendo999]

Event focuses on ending all sexual discrimination

That is horrible

What about pedophelia or beastiality? Is that next??

can't help but hear the ringing of that verse that says in Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

3John 1:11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

Titus 1:15-16 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

[billiefan2000]

my, considering what I know Elnes and Florence are promoting and are up to,


I wouldt be surprised if you might be right


while there are some good pastors here in Omaha


Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church of Omaha (a UCC church)

Jane Florence and First United Methodist Church of Omaha

are heavily into Universalism and new-age stuff and promote a leftist social gospel, are bad pastors on so many levels.


Jane Florence and Eric Elnes and some other "pastors"


I keep frequent tabs on here in my town cause they are leading many astray
and no one seems to be bothered much about false teachers like Florence and Elnes



what breaks my heart is the people who have become victims of Jane's agenda.

I feel bad for the folks at First United Methodist Church of Omaha Nebraska (billiefan2000 comment)


and like I said back in March: I feel bad and cry for the children of those who go to First UMC who are being brainwashed by false teachers such as Pastor Jane Florence of First United Methodist Church of Omaha


for the children and adults at First United Methodist Church of Omaha

to see that Jane Florence is nothing more than a false teacher


for the children and adults at Countryside Community Church of Omaha
to see that Eric Elnes is nothing more than a false teacher



cause both of them are pushing a agenda that is nothing more than a trio of lies (new-age nonsense, Jim Wallis social gospel and Universalism)

[billiefan2000]

btw:


open letter video to First United Methodist Church of Omaha Nebraska

and open letter video to Countryside Community Church of Omaha Nebraska

[billiefan2000]

Christian Clergy Issue Proclamation: Being Gay Not A Sin
Omaha Minister Organizes Effort To Welcome Gays To Church

OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha area ministers will publicly unveil a proclamation on Wednesday calling for an end to religious and civil discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Rev. Eric Elnes, pastor of Countryside Community Church, said the proclamation was created because, “we were just fed up with the popular notion that the Christian point of view is anti-gay.”


Elnes, who leads an Omaha church of 1,500 members at 87th Street and Pacific Street, said more than 100 ordained Christian ministers have signed the proclamation,

including leaders from Lutheran, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.

The ministers will join together on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to publicly unveil the proclamation and show full acceptance of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people.

“We believe homosexuality is not a sin. It’s not a birth defect or a choice. God created people this way. And if God created them this way, they need to be honored for who they are, and fully included in church life and wider society,” said Elnes, whose words are reflected in the document.



Elnes said after sharing his point of view, he’s learned that many Christians hold the same beliefs, but have not openly expressed them.


That’s the reason the proclamation also includes an apology to the gay community.



“We felt it was important for us to apologize for the times when we ourselves have been silent. Some of us have not always been on this side of the issue,” Elnes said.


Elnes said he unveiled a similar proclamation while working with another church three years ago in Arizona.

He said nine Catholic priests were ordered to remove their names from the proclamation or be removed from the priesthood.


Amy O’Connor, a board member of Omaha’s Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays group, PFLAG, said the proclamation is significant. “It’s pretty huge,” she said.

O’Connor heads the telephone helpline for the group and said without acceptance from family, church and the community, gay people often live isolated, sad lives.

O’Connor, whose 21-year-old son is gay, said as a Catholic, she’s had to deal with conflicting feelings and teachings about the acceptance of gays in the church.

“It’s not an issue of sexual orientation or gender identity. God loves everybody,” said O’Connor.

O’Connor’s son, Matthew Macchietto, said Elne’s efforts are bold. “It really does take one person or a small group of people to make a big impact.

In 10, or 20 years, I think people will think, why wasn’t it always this way?” Macchietto said.

His partner, Brad Chapin, said issuing the proclamation is, "the Christian thing to do.”

“The whole point of Christianity is love and compassion,” said Chapin.

Elnes said in ministering to gay, lesbian and transgendered people, he’s learned that he must first convince them that God doesn’t hate them before he can share the message that God loves them.


“It’s very clear and very simple. We want to be open to all people,” said Elnes.


Read more: Christian Clergy Issue Proclamation: Being Gay Not A Sin - Omaha News Story - KETV Omaha

[billiefan2000]

[billiefan2000]

Full List | Heartland Proclamation

lists those who signed this. not going to list them all, but some of the ones for the Omaha area didnt surprise me.




Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede of United Methodist Ministries (Stephanie is closely associated with Dietz United Methodist Church of Omaha which is a liberal UMC church

Pastor Elizabeth Backus and Pastor John Backus of Trinity Lutheran Church of Omaha, NE (Trinity Lutheran is a ELCA church, enough said)


Rev. Dr. Donald Bredthauer of First United Methodist Church of Omaha (First UMC is a Universalism peddling church, enough said)



Rev. Susan M. Butler of Augustana Lutheran Church of Omaha (Augustana is a ELCA church, enough said)


Rev. Sarah K. Dickinson of Mosher-Pilgrim Presbyterian Church of Omaha Nebraska (Mosher-Pilgrim Presbyterian is a PCUSA church, enough said)


Rev. E. Susan Ellis of North Side Christian Church of Omaha Nebraska (Disciples of Christ)

(Northside openly denies John 14:6 a do most of the people/churches I mentioned

About North Side



Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church of Omaha, NE (countryside is a Universalism peddling UCC church, enough said.

dont get me started on how Elnes and his church have led many astray and has told countless lies to various people.



Father Jason Emerson of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection of Omaha (a Episcopal Church USA church, enough said, plus Emerson is a known far-left activist in Omaha




Rev. Thomas Emmett of Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha (MCC is a "church"
catering to gay people)


Rev. Jane Florence of First United Methodist Church of Omaha Nebraska (First UMC is a Universalism peddling church, enough said)

Shawna Foster of First Unitarian Church of Omaha (enough said)

(btw: First Unitarian Church of Omaha recently cut from 2 service to 1 due to declining membership.



Rev. Gary George of the Hospice House – The Josie Harper Residence of Omaha


Rev. Dr. Keith Johnson of St Paul UMC of Omaha

Rev. Dr. E. Scott Jones of First Central Congregational United Church of Christ of Omaha, NE (1st CC UCC of Omaha is a John 14:6 and new-age peddling church, enough said)


Dr. Jim Keck of First Plymouth Congregational UCC of Lincoln, NE (Keck is a far-left activist and a Universalism peddler

Dr. Lowen Kruse of First United Methodist Church of Omaha, NE (Kruse is a former state senator and far-left activist)


Rev. Vicar E. Dwayne Moore of First Lutheran Church of Omaha (First Lutheran is a ELCA church in omaha, enough said)



also listed:

Rev. Dr. Ron and Berdeen Roemmich of First United Methodist of Omaha


Rev. Charlene Wozny of Omaha


who i mentioned before at

Liberal Omaha Pastrix claims Tim McVeigh was a christian (though Tim was a agnostic)



am I surprised? nope.

in fact, many of them or their churches have been mentioned in apostasy section here.


in fact First United Methodist Church of Omaha

First central Congreagtional church of Omaha

Countryside Community Church of Omaha



have made numerous apostasy related contributions to this site (so to speak) that is sad to say the least

[billiefan2000]

my 2nd open letter of sorts to First United Methodist Church of Omaha




I feel bad for the folks at First United Methodist Church of Omaha Nebraska (billiefan2000 comment)

I feel bad for the folks at First United Methodist Church of Omaha Nebraska (billiefan2000 comment)

[myinnuendo999]

It breaks my heart too brother to see so many people leading so many children astray along with deceiving themselves.

As God lifts his hand and people are given over to what they want, it's really a hard reality to see come true in our day that what Jesus said is so true.

,,."For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."--Matthew 7:13.


Lord have mercy according to your unfailing love on these people

[billiefan2000]

HEARTLAND CLERGY ADOPT PRO-GAY POSITION
By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on Jun 14, 2011 in AM Missives, Current Issues, Emergence Christianity, Emergent Church, Features, Homosexuality/"Christian"

As part of our online apologetics and discernment labors Apprising Ministries been documenting the New Downgrade within evangelicalism, the root of which roughly begins with the charismatic revival as it spreads through the Jesus People/Movement circa early 1970′s out into various denominations and into what became the Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission.

This is the spiritual cesspool from which the new liberalism of the seeker-friendly/sinner-sensitive methodology of letting culture define the church visible would spring. Then circa 2005 mainstream evangelicalism would became spiritually spineless and begin to embrace the warped and toxic teachings of EC leaders e.g. like the Emerging Church rock star pastor Rob Bell.

Sadly, in the very heart of the visible church we’ve seen this spiritual cancer metastasize throughout its body spreading the awful influence of sinfully ecumenical neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church aka the Emerging Church all throughout its ailing body. Now upgraded to the Emerging Church 2.0—with its newer, more clearly delineated, postmodern Progressive Christian theology, which these rebels against the final authority of the Word of God will often refer to under their circus “big tent” as Emergence Christianity.

You should know that the first line of attack upon the heart of the church visible by these rebels against the final authority of the Word of God was to batter down sola Scriptura, the key pillar of proper Christian spirituality. This is critical to understand because in articles like Jay Bakker Critiques Ken Silva At Religion Dispatches and Doug Pagitt And The Emerging Church Gay Agenda I’ve explained that the tip-of-the-spear for this area of attack upon proper biblical Christianity is gay-affirming “pastor” Jay Bakker of the “church” Revolution:NYC. Unfortunately the very near future for foolish evangelical leaders who’ve embraced these EC rebels against the authority of the Word of God can be seen simply by looking at mainline denominations, who long ago gave in to the Cult of Liberalism and kicked out sola Scriptura as well.

Currently they’re being torn apart by this powerful, and highly divisive, pro-gay lobby. Let me simply highlight for you where the battle lines are now being drawn; because of progressive/liberal rebels against the authority of the Bible masquerading as evangelicals like Doug Pagitt, the front line is already being moving closer to your own mainstream evangelical church than you likely realize. Perceived conservative evangelicalism had better heed the wake-up call; you’d best prepare for the very same debates within your own halls. It’s going to be a huge surprise, and soon, when evanjellyfish—unity at all costs—leaders find out that most professing Christians don’t actually hold to the final authority of God’s Word in the Bible at all. And so what are you then left with; doing what is right in your own eyes ala Judges 17:6.

In earlier articles, e.g. Gay Christian Singer Jennifer Knapp Out On Larry King Live and PCUSA Votes To Allow Openly Gay Clergy, I’ve been doing what I can to remind you that there is indeed a same-sex storm gathering hurricane force, which is right now, looming only slightly off the horizon of the mainstream evangelical community. I also shared, once again, why the Lord moved me to begin covering the issue of a growing acceptance within evangelicalism that the deviant and sinful lifestyle of having sexual relations with another of the same sex, i.e homosexuality, is a viable one for the regenerated Christian. The imagery I’ve been using is that of fire bases in Vietnam, which were temporary artillery encampments there to provide fire support and quarters for ground operations near the front lines. Being so close to the front, in the dark of night many times enemy forces would try and move in for a sneak attack.

That’s why periodically flares were shot high above the area to light up the night sky in order to monitor any possible movement of enemy troops. And even in this spiritual war Satan’s seducing spirits sneak around in the darkness with their didaskaliais daimonion (doctrines of demons). Well, I’m using the issue of homosexuality to light up the sky with the Word of God to give you a chance to see the wide, and very rapid, advance of the Emerging Church and its postmodern Progressive Christian theology. Their full frontal attack on Biblical Christianity is also being pushed along by the corrupt Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM) that’s responsible for creating the current evangelical fad of practicing what’s merely refried mysticism-lite of apostate Roman Catholicism.

So instead of going to Holy Scripture, now issues are instead being dealt with by how people feel about them. Against this background I now give you another vivid illustration as ABC affiliate KETV.com brings us this bit of nauseating capitulation to caprious culture Clergy Proclamation: Being Gay Not A Sin: Omaha Minister Organizes Effort To Welcome Gays To Church:

Omaha area ministers will publicly unveil a proclamation on Wednesday calling for an end to religious and civil discrimination based on sexual orientation. Rev. Eric Elnes, pastor of Countryside Community Church, said the proclamation was created because, “we were just fed up with the popular notion that the Christian point of view is anti-gay.” (Online source)

No, the Christian position is anti-sin and to preach the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ Name for all those for whom Christ died, which certainly includes people in the LGBT community. We’re also told that Elnes, “who leads an Omaha church of 1,500 members,” is not alone in his apostasy and homopression as “more than 100 ordained Christian ministers have signed the proclamation, including leaders from Lutheran, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.” The pro-gay agenda is not only swallowing up the mainline denominations, it’s also rapidly gaining ground within the mainstream as well.

OneIowa.org shares the whole “Heartland Proclamation” by the Heartland Clergy for Inclusion and also informs us:

they will be officially unveiling the Proclamation during Pride Month, on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. on the Omaha side of the Kerrey footbridge. (Online source)

Sadly, these deceived clergy people actually attribute the document to God the Holy Spirit. Elnes is then quoted by KETV spouting the requisite pro-gay party line:

“We believe homosexuality is not a sin. It’s not a birth defect or a choice. God created people this way. And if God created them this way, they need to be honored for who they are, and fully included in church life and wider society,” said Elnes, whose words are reflected in the document. (Online source)

Now I bring to your attention that Elnes et al are merely believing something apart from God’s Word, which is exactly what I continue to warn you about in my latest articles like The Emerging Church On A Wild Goose Chase and Adam And Eve Did Exist: Evolutionists Get Over It. You’re going to see this more and more because in large part the influence of the Emerging Church within younger sectors of mainstream evangelicalism was a reaction to the pallid pragmatism of e.g. Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren.

For you see, having not been properly taught concerning the all-suffiency of Holy Scripture has made them ripe for the picking by neo-Gnostics like Living Spiritual Teacher and Quaker mystic Richard Foster—and his spiritual twin Dallas Willard—corrupt Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM). As Dr. Gary Gilley has pointed out “there is nothing new about God’s people believing that the Bible is insufficient to meet their needs.” In fact he says we see it in the New Testament itself:

Col 2 describes a church during the NT era that felt it was necessary to add several things to the Scriptures in order to move on to maturity. The church at Colossae apparently had come under the influence of the early stages of Gnosticism. Gnosticism taught that certain Christians were privy to a mystical source of knowledge beyond the Scriptures. If one wanted to move on to maturity, according to the Gnostics, they had to tap into this extra Biblical knowledge through the methods that they taught.

The Colossians, under this influence, were leaving behind their early instruction concerning the Christian life (v1-7) and were being deluded into adding at least five things to God’s Word. (Online source)

Gilley then explains those five things included precisely what we see many evangelicals involved with right now: philosophy, legalism, asceticism, pragmatism and CSM:

The final addition to God’s Word is one which we would like to spend some time discussing. Paul describes mysticism/experience in Col 2:18,19. The Gnostics taught that a few elite had received the gift of direct inspiration through the Holy Spirit. These moments of inspiration took place through visions, dreams, and encounters with angels (see The Gnostic Gospels pp49, 139-142, 163-166). This divided the church into two classes, the haves and the have nots (the truly spiritual and the unspiritual).

The parallels with our modern day Charismatic movement are hard to miss. Since the 1960′s, the church has been divided into two camps: those who possess supernatural gifts and receive special revelation from God and those who do not. While there are numerous errors in the Charismatic movement, the heart of their problems are found right in these verses: they are basing their theology on experiences rather than on the foundation of Jesus Christ as found in His Word. The end result is that such people are “defrauded.”

They are missing out on true Biblical living because of their beliefs. Unfortunately, the influence of the Charismatic movement has infiltrated many who would deny any involvement in that system. (Online source)

While he might deny involvement in the charismatic movement, this is precisely the case with the aforementioned Eric Elnes, which has led him into his current apostasy. The report I cited above also tells us:

Elnes said after sharing his point of view, he’s learned that many Christians hold the same beliefs, but have not openly expressed them. That’s the reason the proclamation also includes an apology to the gay community. (Online source)

But Elnes is in error; professing Christians and likeminded apostates such as Jay Bakker, along with fellow wild goose chasers like universalist EC pastor Doug Pagitt and self-professed “queer inclusive” ELCA pastrix Nadia Bolz-Weber, hold those same beliefs; however, they’re not Christians in the first place. And the only apology Elnes et al owes is to the LGBT community—containing precious for whom Christ died—for leaving them locked away in the chains and darkness of their own personal prison cell of sin.

That is a real travesty. And so I ask again: Why No Condemnation For Christians Who Are Homopressive?




HEARTLAND CLERGY ADOPT PRO-GAY POSITION : Apprising Ministries

[billiefan2000]

It breaks my heart too brother to see so many people leading so many children astray along with deceiving themselves.

As God lifts his hand and people are given over to what they want, it's really a hard reality to see come true in our day that what Jesus said is so true.

,,."For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."--Matthew 7:13.


Lord have mercy according to your unfailing love on these people

btw:

I have been warning people about Jane Florence and Eric Elnes for a few years.

my warnings and cries to fellow ODmers have largely been ignored cause it's a "omaha problem"


now, it's more than just a omaha only problem folks.


Florence and Elnes and numerous others in Omaha are trying to go national with their far left agenda and want for power (i.e. like many other emergents who crave poiltical power


hopefully the lies these 2 are peddling gets the attention that Pagitt and other emergents have been doing cause these 2 have a lot of influence


and sadly there isnt any bible believing pastors who vocally speak out as much as the far left pastors do in omaha

[billiefan2000]

This clergy group is not ‘blind’



A Sunday letter claimed that the Bible is “clear” in condemning homosexuality. The writer claims it is equally clear that the 100 ministers who are “offering an apology to gays” through signing the gay-friendly Heartland Proclamation are “the blind leading the blind.”

Two corrections need to be made.




Correction 1: The number of Christian clergy signing the Proclamation has more than doubled since its unveiling last Wednesday before a crowd of several hundred Christians. Is it not a bit arrogant to suggest that these Heartland clergy — most of whom have served their parishes for years, are well respected in their denominations and are not known for merely following winds of cultural change — are blind? Incidentally, a similar proclamation known as the Phoenix Declaration has been signed by 161 clergy in conservative Arizona.

Correction 2: The Bible simply does not speak with the clarity the reader hopes on the issue of homosexuality. In fact, the word “homosexuality” never appears anywhere in the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek texts of the Bible.


There are just five passages in the entire Bible that speak directly about same-gender sex, but it is almost certain that the writers have in mind people of heterosexual orientation who engage in same-gender relations — something most of us would find abhorrent.

The Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D., Omaha

Member of Heartland Clergy for Inclusion



The Public Pulse, June 21 - Omaha.com



considering Eric Elnes as do many openly denies John 14:6 to be literal

and is also pushing new-age teachings and a far left political agenda in their churches in Omaha



I would say Elnes and others in Omaha like him being blind is a under-statement.

[billiefan2000]

here is what elnes and other "clergy" said at this event recently (found this on youtube

I cry for these folks deceiving so many.


Scott Jones of First Central Congreational Church of Omaha

Eric Elnes of Counrtyside Community Church of Omaha

(both churches are part of the United Church of Christ denom.

are among those speaking.

[billiefan2000]

from one of the UCC church involved's in this weekly church newsletter at

http://firstcentral.org/uploads/index_3_830102760.pdf (June 23 2011 edition at page 2)



btw: notice anything off about what is said. or wrong anyway....

quote:



On Wednesday, June 15 over three hundred people gathered at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, overlooking the fast-rising waters of the Missouri River, for the public release of the Heartland Proclamation by Heartland Clergy for Inclusion.



First Central was represented by myself, Rev. Jeannie Bates,


Rev. Fred Felger (see story on him from mid 2010 at) Omaha "pastor" attacks Holocaust Remembrance Day



Rev. Jim Harmon , Rev. Donald Wester, and a handful of our members who were present in the enthusiastic crowd.

We proclaimed, “In repentance and obedience to the Holy Spirit, we stand in solidarity as those who are committed to work and pray for full acceptance and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in our churches and in our world.”


You’ll find a copy of the proclamation inserted in this Congregationalist, along with a list of clergy who had signed the document as of June 15.


You can also check out the Heartland Proclamation website at in order to see the latest list of clergy signers and to read comments, news stories, and blog posts.

Early this year, the Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church called together a group of local clergy to address the need for more public statements by Christian clergy on behalf of the full equality and inclusion of LGBT persons.


Fred Felger (see) Omaha "pastor" attacks Holocaust Remembrance Day


and I have both worked on the planning committee of the group that eventually selected the name Heartland Clergy for Inclusion.


It has been fun, ecumenical work with a group of energetic and gifted clergy.

Acceptance of LGBT persons has increased dramatically in American culture in recent years.



The latest Gallup Poll revealed that 53% of Americans support marriage equality for lesbians and gays. Now all but one mainline Protestant denomination (the United Methodist Church) ordains openly gay ministers.


And important laws have recently been implemented.

For many people, the issues of LGBT civil rights and inclusion are settled, but there is still much work to be done before full equality and recognition are achieved.

For instance, in Omaha in 2011 it is still legal for an employer to fire an employee whom they discover to be dating someone of the same gender.


Last fall the City Council rejected an ordinance that would have made it illegal to fire someone for that reason.

The Rev. Dr. David Ruhe one of First Central’s former pastors, has signed the proclamation and also drove to Omaha on June 15 to speak publicly at the event at the pedestrian bridge.


David said, “We have not spoken in the public arena as regularly and forcefully as faith in a God of love and justice requires of us.



To borrow words from the prophet Micah, we have perhaps been too busy ‘walking humbly with [our] God’ to truly ‘do justice and love kindness.’”

[Hannah]

the Omaha world herald wont allow the monthly HPN aka Hollywood prayer Network of Omaha event in the church events page of the paper because a prayer meeting is somehow considered "controversial" accroding to the omaha world herald


yet this same paper will promote anything Elnes and Florence (both Universalists) says or does

================================================== =============

Event focuses on ending all sexual discrimination
By Jane Palmer
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


Christian clergy in the Omaha area plan to announce their objection to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Heartland Clergy for Inclusion organization plans to read a proclamation calling for an end to all religious and civil discrimination against any person based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

“We find no rational biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person based on sexual orientation,” said Rev. Jane Florence of First United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church, one of the event organizers, said silence by many has created the impression that there is only one Christian perspective on the issue. The group hopes Wednesday’s event will show another view.

Florence said that more than 100 clergy members in the Omaha area have signed the proclamation and that several of them will participate Wednesday. There will be prayer, Scripture reading and an apology for those affected by discrimination. Organizers have invited the Omaha City Council to attend, Florence said.


more... Event focuses on ending all sexual discrimination - Omaha.com

They obviously haven't looked hard enough.

LEV 18:22 " `Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

RO 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

RO 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

RO 1:26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.



{So what part of do not have sex with a person of the same sex do they not understand? Honestly they will be accountable to the One Who Wrote the Rules (ie God) eventually. It's God's Universe not ours and we don't get to pick and choose what laws or rules we want to obey and which ones we want to ignore. So, Good luck with your interpretation of the Bible people, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. }

[daygo]

How can anyone twist or ignore parts of scripture that says to lie with a man like a woman is an abomination lev. 18v22, is beyond my comprehension.

[billiefan2000]

How can anyone twist or ignore parts of scripture that says to lie with a man like a woman is an abomination lev. 18v22, is beyond my comprehension.

because Elnes and Jones and many of the UCC folks and other emergent like types have seared their Conscience

and I believe this based on what I know and have seen

that members and leaders of

First Central Congreational Church of Omaha

of Counrtyside Community Church of Omaha

(both churches are part of the United Church of Christ denom.


have seared their Conscience. Pushing Homosexuality as "acceptable" in God's eyes, Universalism, new-age teachings being crept into both their churches

and both churches known Anti-Israel attitude. One of the people mentioned speaking on behalf of First Central Congreational Church of Omaha (a UCC church

Omaha "pastor" attacks Holocaust Remembrance Day

trash Holocaust Rememberance Day in 2010 and he and his church to this day, to my knowledge has NEVER apologized to the Jewish Community for those comments or their Anti-Israel attitude that the UCC denom. fosters and promotes

[billiefan2000]

explanation from one wca church on their FB site

on the so called Omaha clergy endorsing gay lifestyle as okay

and what is your thoughts on it.


at least Christ Community (a wca church) has spoken on.



the other wca churches however have been largely silent on this

and on Elnes and Jane Florence and their false teachings and Universalism they are promoting


but not a surprise. the WCA churches in Omaha have a lot of dubious and false teachings they themselves are promoting or enabling






wca church in omaha's member asks:

quote:

I'm just wondering if ???? is planning to make any kind of statement concerning the recent news story of the Clergy Proclamation that being gay is not a sin.

I liked the news comment issued by Father Joseph Taphorn "God loves all people, and all are welcome to receive the spiritual goods of the Church.

At the same time, we are called to live upright lives in accord with the moral law, a law that does not change in the face of politics or culture."


In these turbulent times, I was hoping that ???? would also make a public stand for what is right because the Bible has not changed.




omaha area willow creek association responds:

Thanks for your question. We disagree with the Proclamation's interpretation of the Bible and homosexuality.

We are also absolutely committed to being a church where everyone is welcome, regardless of their particular struggles with sin, to be a part of this family.

Our public statement was not signing the Proclamation, and we don't feel that a further public statement would be helpful.

[billiefan2000]

related:


and was in today's paper


Protect rights of all in Omaha

As Omaha ministers, we support City Councilman Ben Gray's proposal to legally protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents from discrimination in the workplace.

Last year, we published the Heartland Proclamation. It was signed by 257 Christian clergy from the region, including 50 from Omaha, who declare that, for us, the debate is over.

Homosexuality is not a sickness, choice or sin. (side comment: what is SIN than to these "pastors")




We find no rational, biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person based on sexual orientation.




The tide has changed massively in the Christian church in America. Condemnation of homosexuality by Christians is rapidly becoming yesterday's news, not today's reality.

The vast majority of mainline Protestant denominations in America not only welcome gays and lesbians into membership but also are happy to ordain them as clergy.

One of many things that makes Omaha a great city is the fact that we work together as a community, despite our religious, political and cultural differences.

In contrast to the political and religious balkanization into which many of America's cities have drifted in recent years, Omaha still has soul. We can live with our differences because we still know that what unites us is greater than what divides us.

Let's protect Omaha's soul by protecting every citizen's right to work in our city — whether black or white, Republican or Democrat, religious or nonreligious, gay or straight.

The Heartland Clergy for Inclusion Executive Council in Omaha




Editor's note: This letter was signed by the following clergy:

Chris Alexander of Countryside Community Church of Omaha

Susan Ellis of Northside Christian Church of Omaha

Eric Elnes of Countryside Community Church of Omaha



Tom Emmett of Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha

Jane Florence of First United Methodist Church of Omaha



Fred Felger and Scott Jones of First Central United Church of Christ of Omaha

(that is btw the same Fred btw who is mentioned

Omaha "pastor" attacks Holocaust Remembrance Day


Pamela Owen of Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha


and Charlene Wozney retired pastor, United Church of Christ




The Public Pulse, March 11 - Omaha.com



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btw, side note:

they will likely get their way tuesday. the leftist churches are very motivated and have in some instances scared conservative christians into being silenced into speaking out on their far left agenda for omaha.

I know this cause I have people who have told me they are afraid of enduring the left's wrath in omaha



the leftist churches here have a lot of passion on issues and are more motivated.




the so-called conservative churches like the willow creek member churches here for a large part are largely silent on false teachers being promoted and are largely silent on social issues



and that is why the left is so motivated, cause they know there is little to no opposition to their agenda in omaha.




I mentioned at NAR & seeker driven churches in Omaha sign Nebraska Heritage Coalition calling Homosexuality a SIN


is a conservative "bible believing" counter-balance to the leftist The Heartland Clergy for Inclusion




but the Nebraska Heritage Coalition arent really a important group.




mainly, cause many of those who are part of the Nebraska Heritage Coalition are also leaders, members or closely aligned with seeker or NAR type churches and will never be taken seriously.


they will never be taken seriously.



they day they will be taken seriously is when those mentioned at http://nebraskaheritagecoalition.org/SIGNERS.html


openly and un-afraid like I do on this site denounce contemplative prayer peddlers like


Richard Foster and John Ortberg and Pete Scazerro



and call out False Prophets or WOF peddlers like Robert Morris and Kenneth Copeland and Mike Bickle and Rick Joyner


also, when willow creek association leaders and members speak out on things (and not just out of necessity as some do) is when the Nebraska Heritage Coalition will be taken seriously.