OSHAWA, Ontario — A woman in Canada who is in a same-sex relationship recently took to Facebook and the media to express her objection after her church revoked her membership status as she had been repeatedly urged to repent of homosexuality but would not heed the counsel of her pastoral leadership.
Kimberley Mills, a former youth leader, told the outlet The Star that she had been a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Oshawa for four years, but didn’t feel she could “come out” at church after hearing a sermon that took a strong stance against homosexuality.
However, she did tell a few women in her Bible study group that she has been with another woman for several years, and eventually informed others during a roundtable discussion.
Both church leadership and members spoke to Mills and encouraged her to turn from her sin and be reconciled with God.
On Oct. 30, she received a letter from Deacon Chairman Tim Wagner, who advised that because she had repeatedly rejected the counsel of others and had chosen to live in disobedience to the Bible, the church would have to exercise biblical church discipline and revoke her membership status until she repents.
“It was brought to our attention that you have chosen to live in disobedience to the Scriptures, specifically disregarding the warning of 1 Corinthians 6:9, in spite of repeated efforts by other believers in your life, including other Calvary leadership and finally our pastoral staff,” the letter stated.
“Kim, we are exercising our responsibilities to follow the biblical instructions toward the goal of your repentance and full restoration to your walk with Christ and His Church fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:4-5),” it continued. “It is a very serious matter to remove a member for discipline as you will note in the 1 Corinthians 5:5 text, and our hearts are broken over it.”
The correspondence urged Mills once more to heed the Holy Spirit and to turn away from sin.
“We pray that your heart will respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit that comes with our obedience to this Scripture, and that you will repent and be restored to your church family who love you deeply. Kim, please know that this was not entered into lightly and we pray for your full restoration,” it said, advising that the pastor would be available to speak to her should she desire to do so.
Mills says that she is unhappy that she received the notice in the form of a letter rather than an in-person conversation, and also expressed dissatisfaction that she isn’t being accepted as she is.
“It’s clear that something needs to change. I feel that God designed me the way I am, and He’s going to love me the way I am,” she said. “It never felt right being judged for being gay. It didn’t feel right.”
One community member, Mac Moreau, has now launched an effort requesting that the Canada Revenue Agency review and possibly revoke the charitable status of Calvary Baptist Church for being “hateful.”
“The church has allowed its resources to be used for activities that promote hate and intolerance,” Moreau told The Star. “If you are going to promote hate and intolerance, you shouldn’t receive benefits from the Canadian government that all Canadians contribute to.”
The outlet said that one of Moreau’s motives is the hope that his actions will “serve as a warning to all churches that preach intolerance.”
Calvary Baptist Church says that Mills is welcome to attend services, but members must live in accordance with the Scriptures.
“We love and care for everyone since we are all made in the image of God,” it outlined in a statement. “Those who choose to become members of Calvary Baptist Church share our theological and doctrinal beliefs and agree to live in accordance with those beliefs. When an individual ceases to hold those beliefs or live in accordance with them, as has recently happened, that individual may be removed from membership, but always remains welcome to attend our services and other programs.”
Mills has since gone on to attend another assembly that is affirming of homosexuals.
As previously reported, the Bible teaches that all men are born with the Adamic sin nature and are “by nature the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), having various inherent inclinations that are contrary to the law of God and being utterly incapable of changing themselves. It is why Jesus outlined in John 3:5-7 that men must be regenerated by the second birth, or they cannot see the kingdom of Heaven.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus saith unto him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ‘Ye must be born again.’”
The late preacher A.W. Pink described it this way: “Why does the sinner choose a life of sinful indulgence? Because he prefers it. Man chooses that which is according to his nature, and therefore, before he will ever choose or prefer that which is divine or spiritual, a new nature must be imparted to him. In other words, he must be born again.”
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