Evangelical megachurch announces support for same-sex marriage
A US evangelical megachurch has in a surprise move announced support for same-sex marriage, and to fully include LGBT people in its congregation.
The GracePointe Church in Franklin, Tennessee voted to support same-sex marriage.
Pastor Stan Mitchell on Friday revealed that the church had gone through two years of discussions around the issue, saying that they were “at times, devastating”.
Speaking on 11 January at a service, the pastor said he had heard stories both of “joy” and of “unspeakable pain” from participants.
He said he had been accused of betraying the evangelical community for deciding to support same-sex marriage.
Mitchell posted on the church’s website to say that all gay members of the congregation will see full privileges, and be honoured.
He wrote that the privileges will be extended “with the same expectations of faithfulness, sobriety, holiness, fidelity … and willingness as expected of all.”
