My sense is that the Jamaican church and society is not there. "Some churches have gone ahead and openly accept same sex relationships.
Reverend Gary Harriot, general secretary of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, said the church in general does not settle with people where they were, but was focused on what they could become. We take you from where you are, if you are willing, and transform you in the Lord to where the Lord wants you to be," he told the group of fellow pastors, reporters and editors.įletcher said thieves must expect to be transformed, drug addicts, and all sinners, including those of same sex orientations, because "we are going to love you anyway, but we are going to refuse to let you stay where you are." "Our church is a transforming lives church. Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. But we refuse to accept you remaining the same," said Pastor Fletcher, who extended the olive branch to all and sundry. We accept you as a human being and God wants the best for you. So we don't want inappropriate behaviours from heterosexuals, or homosexuals.
"That issue is an issue like all others, because we are all broken. Pastor Dwight Fletcher, who heads the Transformed Lives church, said his congregation welcomed all but it was within the realm of the church to transform lives. They discussed, amongst other things, the role of the churches in a Jamaican society overwhelmed with crime, criminality and other ills.
The pastors, who were part of a panel of religious leaders at the first in The Gleaner's series of Family and Religion Editors' Forums at the media house's Kingston office yesterday. Some local pastors are standing on holy ground on the hot topic of same sex unions, making it clear that all are welcomed to their churches, but not their lifestyles.