My Thoughts : Same Sex Marriage is here…Now What?

South Africa legalised same-sex marriage on 30 November 2006, at that time we were the fifth country in the world to do so (after the Netherlands 2000, Belgium 2003, Spain 2005 and Canada 2005). Now they are 19 countries in total. No other African country permits same-sex marriage But South Africa.


This article is written in the context of the current media attention, that the legalisation of same sex marriage in America has garnered. While it’s in the global consciousness because of the significant influence America has in the world, we have a few thoughts to share.

1. Do not panic stay focussed. As much as we are disappointed with the current move by the Supreme Court, it is not time for panic nor saying wild statements. It is not the end of the world, fire is not about fall from the sky. More than ever it is time for churches to stay focussed on what God has called them to do, in their areas of service.

2. Do not be surprised. The world is trending in that direction, and the challenge is that somehow the church feels that, the world is meant to be this place which loves the church and what we stand for. From its inception the church was attacked and persecuted. Do not expect to be treated with kid gloves, you have to be mentally tough and stand in the face of whatever storm the world raises against the church.
My Thoughts: Same Sex Marriage is here…Now What.

3. Do not be intimidated by the LGBTG movement. The LGBT community is a very vocal and aggressive movement. We have seen many Pastors afraid of the backlash that comes from stating what they believe, which views homosexuality as a sin. Standing on what the bible says about homosexuality does not make me homophobic…I will treat you with love and respect, but I will not lie to you that it’s not a sin. It is not time to be intimidated, its better fear God than fear man. We are not called to conform to this world.

4. Do not be PC when given a media platform. In the past 5 years there has been a saddening trend among pastors, who when given a platform on secular media, they decline to comment on the issue or say something that doesn’t amount to a clear position of where they stand. If you are given the platform state what you believe, is it a sin or not?

5. Seek professional legal advice to understand the facts and how they affect your church. It’s a tragedy how many christians do not test the truthfulness of the information they see in the media. We are in times where anyone can start a blog and website and disseminate information with no integrity nor accountability. Do not believe everything you read on the internet, get professionals to tell you how the law applies in your nation.

6. Go through your constitution, policies and procedures.
It is important to make sure you are legally covered internally against any legal attacks concerning the issue of same sex marriage. Generally the law in South Africa and USA gives churches an exemption from performing same sex weddings. But it is important that the church is clear in its internal legal framework that they do not provide same sex weddings.

7. Be clued up on what the bible says about homosexuality. Yes you know it is a sin, but do you know where in the bible it is stated? It is important that you are clued up with exactly where the bible speaks about this issue. You should be able to present, a logical argument in defence of the biblical position on this issue.
My Thoughts : Same Sex Marriage is here…Now What
8. Be clear on what is the position to your church. Our church members need to know what is our position as a church. There is a deafening silence in many churches on this issue. The fear of losing people must never stop you from speaking the truth of the word of God

9. Preach the word not motivation lectures. Part of the major problem is we have seen preaching turn into motivational speaking without solid interpretation and presentation of scripture. The word of God motivates but Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. There are times to motivate but there also times to rebuke and correct. On this issue we rebuke and correct. It is time for sound doctrine to be shared in our churches again.

10. Raise the prayer level. It’s time for us as the church to turn to God again. This whole situation is not the end of the world but a wake up call, for the church to seek God’s face with great intensity.


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One of the primary goals of Oudney Patsika is to use media to change the cultural narrative. He aims to impact today’s culture with more accurate, responsible, and positive media stories about Christianity and the Church. Get In Touch Today!
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