Gays In the Church
 

There is a pentecostal church organization here in Puerto Rico that was sued and lost a multimillion dollar lawsuit for firing a homosexual man. Now there are 2 or 3 pastors with homosexual tendencies and the church can't do anything to them but let them be.

I don't understand all of the details or legalities of the case, but how can homosexuals stay in church positions? Can anyone explain the legal rights of gays in church employment? I thought the church had rights but I may be wrong.

Re: Gays In the Church
 

I remember from years back, I'm not sure if anything has changed legally, but it seems like you have to have a set guideline or parameter for paying positions. I remember there being concern about hiring outside the church for nursery positions, because once you do that, you have opened that door. I may have it wrong, and it may have changed, I haven't kept up.

Re: Gays In the Church
 

This depicts the progressive agenda.

Re: Gays In the Church
 

There must be a statement of ministry that all employees and volunteers (pastors, nursery workers, janitors, secretaries, Sunday School teachers, youth workers, etc. etc.) are required to read and sign prior to employment or volunteering. The person should be given a copy of this after they signed it. (The original should be kept in their personnel file and yes, "volunteers" should have a personnel file as well!)

As long as it clearly explains what the church stands for and what is accepted and what is not, the church can clearly dismiss from ministry any employee/volunteer who doesn't abide by those guidelines. This should list everything from drug use to fornication to adultery to child molestation to the "minor" non-Biblical standards your church requires (jewelery, make-up, hair length, dress code, etc. etc). If the church currently does not have such a statement of ministry, they can implement it and have current employees/volunteers sign. As long as the prospective employee/volunteer understands and is aware of it, and the items are clearly listed, it will stand up in a court of law - IF the employee has signed and dated it.

Christian Law Association is a great resource for information regarding protecting your ministries!

Many secular corporations use something similar regarding tattoos, piercings, hair length for men, and dress codes for both men and women - and courts respect it - as long as it can be proven that the person knew about the guidelines upon accepting employment.

Re: Gays In the Church
 

Operative word there.

Re: Gays In the Church
 

Re: Gays In the Church
 

why is he considered the expert?

Re: Gays In the Church
 

ignorance

Re: Gays In the Church
 

Re: Gays In the Church
 

It seems to me that the church bylaws could have prevented the law suit if the bylaws had stated something to protect them as far as homosexuals are concerned.

I wouldn't go to a church where the pastor had homosexual tendencies.