House of Hope Pastor E. Dewey Smith says his message about hypocritical Christians antagonizing gays has been taken out of context based on one viral clip.
When the video hit YouTube, many responders thought this was Smith taking a stand for the LGBT movement and against Christians, but Smith says that is simply not true.
“Although enumerable media outlets have used my sermon clip for their own journalistic and editorial priorities, my message was not presented in an effort to ‘affirm the rights of the LGBT community,” Smith writes in a statement on Facebook. “My sermonic intentions and ministerial assignment is not to be the ‘pro-gay pastor’. My agenda is Jesus’ message and exaltation. I preached that sermon and in it confidently affirmed the humanity of and contributions that have been made to the black church by many from the gay community. I stand wholeheartedly behind that because it is the truth.”
Smith says that his sermon goal was to discuss evangelism to marginalized groups of people, specifically like Philip did to the Samaritans.
“At that moment, I made a logical application and challenge from that point; who could many ‘religious’ people consider to be ’21st-century Samaritans’?” Smith writes. “Would they be willing to leave ‘their Jerusalems’ and share the gospel with those not like them? In making that point, I posited that maybe recent Supreme Court legislation could be a moment for persons to share Christ with those who some consider and treat as 21st-century ‘Samaritans.'”
And while the pastor does not condone same-sex relationships, he maintains that those in the gay community should not have to wonder if Christians care about them.
Smith writes that feelings of superiority and elitism are preventing Christians from evangelizing. Those in the church are so consumed with this attitude that they completely ignore their own sins while calling out the sins of others.
He looks to Paul and Philip, whom he says fought through biases and prejudices to share the love of Christ with those unlike them.
Though Smith said the clip was taken out of context, he says it is a blessing in disguise, as it has opened his eyes to see just how many people are hurting because of the church.
“In spite of it all, I am comforted by the fact that God and those who have actually heard the entire message, know that my purpose was simple: Spread the message of Jesus with those who will listen and expect God to bring transformation to any life. Though I wish God had given me prior warning about the ‘firestorm’ of the past five days, I am confident that Jesus’ name has been heard by millions all over the world via my mouth.”
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