Until the 20th century, a dramatic distinction was kept between the world and the Church. This was by divine design. The world was viewed by the Church as corrupt, controlled by Satan, and something to be forsaken, not loved.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom. 12:1-2)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. (1 John 2:16-17)
In recent years, so much has changed. The world is no longer something for the Christian to forsake. Rather, the world is something to be understood, sympathized with, and embraced. The Jesus Youth Movement in the 1970’s under the influence of individuals like Lonnie Frisbee (June 6, 1949 – March 12:1993), was a foreshadow of things to come in the Church. The 2007 documentary is worth watching: Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher.
Following the Vineyard Movement came the Seeker Sensitive Movement. The objective was to make worship attractive to the non-converted. Worship was taken from the people of God and given to known unbelievers for the purpose of evangelism.
The pulpit was removed, and any symbol of faith, such as a cross. Sin was redefined, doctrinal distinctives were eliminated, a dress code was abandoned, and an acceptable gospel was promoted that did not demand repentance or sorrow for sin. A theological vocabulary was deemed unimportant. Difficult passages in the Bible were skipped. Biblical leadership standards were set aside allowing for women to be ordained to be priests and pastors. Holy hands were laid on unholy men unvetted for the work of ministry, according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. TED Talks and self-help teaching replaced sound exegesis of the Word of God.
Megachurches built theaters instead of temples. Rock music replaced the Old Rugged Cross. Coffee shops and book stores were placed outside the auditorium. Outside the religious complex, bouncing houses could be found for the young people to enjoy.
Into this moral and spiritual vacuum called “church” entered The Prosperity Gospel. Then, the LGBTQ+ community built on the quicksand of pious slogans.
“Something Good is Going to Happen Today”
“God Wants You to Prosper”
“Make a Positive Confession, and Believe”
“If it Feels this Good, It Can’t be Wrong”
“Trans Rights are Human Rights”
“It is the Will of God for You to be Happy”
“Prayer Moves God’s Hand to Get What We Want”
The idea of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people leading an ecclesiastical institution is beyond being a scandal; it is an abomination that is leading to desolation. History is repeating itself. The destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70 will eventually find a parallel in Christendom. God will not be mocked. Of necessity there must be a day of accountability.
In major denominations, LGBTQ people are telling their congregations of their radical agenda and personal lifestyle.
On November 23, 2025 Phillip Paneuf, of North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, NY spoke from the pulpit wearing a rainbow stole. Phillip said he was giving up “pretending” to be a man. He was going to openly wear his blonde female looking wig, and display his makeup. He was doing this so he could truly “pretend” to be a woman. For Phillip, being a woman is biologically impossible, but psychosocially acceptable.
It would be unkind to say that Phillip Phaneuf is mentally ill; he is not. It would be accurate to say that Mr. Phaneuf is sinful, according to the Bible, and will be shut out from the kingdom of heaven, apart from gospel repentance. On this point the Scriptures are crystal clear.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NKJV)
Those in a congregation who want to be good, who are sorry for doing wrong, and who want to live in a right manner in the eyes of God, have a holy responsibility to act in a kingly manner and judge this evil in the most severe terms. Beyond that, the remnant in such assemblies must function as a believer priests and intercede on behalf of those suffering from gender dysphoria because they have given themselves over to sensual inappropriate addictive behavior.
It is one thing to do wrong; it is another to willingly continue in sinful behavior. Those who have been made “kings and priests” unto God by redeeming grace (Rev. 1:7) must speak out against the behavior that was once characterized by Judge Robert Bork as Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline (Dec. 2003). America is no longer slouching towards Gomorrah. In so many cultural areas, America has arrived. If God is merciful, the Church will rise up and be strong again.
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
give heart and soul and mind and strength
to serve the King of kings.Rise up, O men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
bring in the day of brotherhood
and end the night of wrong.Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait.
Her strength unequal to her task;
rise up, and make her great!Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
as brothers of the Son of Man,
rise up, O men of God.~ William Pierson Merrill
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 