Why Churches Are Becoming LGBTQ+ Allies

When I was saved in 2009, same-sex marriage was not a federally protected right, and thus, was illegal in most states. However, multiple states were actively fighting to make same-sex marriage legal at that time. Generally, churches still upheld biblical marriage standards, too. Then, on June 26, 2015, a Supreme Court ruling made same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states. Seven years later legal same-sex marriage has rapidly led to “family-friendly” drag shows, grooming children to be hyper-sexual, and irreversibly changing youths’ bodies to allow them to swap one gender for another. Meanwhile, churches around the United States have left behind biblical truth about sexuality and become LGBTQ+ allies. Buy why?

The Shift Away From Biblical Sexuality To LGBTQ+ Allies

There is no smoking gun on this issue. I don’t believe we can pinpoint one factor in particular and say, “You! You’re why so many churches embrace the LGBTQ+ agenda!” Well, now I should walk that back for a second. Technically, we can blame one thing…sin. But sin is actually a fairly broad term, and I’m looking for some more practical causes. I’ve noticed six major contributors.

1. Changes in speech and language create LGBTQ+ allies.

Suddenly, we must become fluent in a new vocabulary and new meaning to established words. The expectation is that everyone will fall into line and adopt “inclusive” language such as preferred pronouns and a new definition of gender.

Pronouns

The entire issue concerning pronouns has caused a great deal of confusion for some and hurt for others. Go to Twitter (if you dare) and you’ll find scores of people have identified their preferred pronouns.

“I’m Julie (she/her), and I lean hard into virtue signaling.”

Sometimes the pronouns match the person’s biological sex, but people often swap their pronouns. A woman may request demand to be called he and him. Adding to the confusion, some folks prefer they and them. Now, I don’t want to be a grammar Nazi, but those two words refer to more than one person, making those pronouns for an individual ridiculous. Not to mention, reading anything written about a single person who uses plural pronouns is nearly impossible.

Below are some common pronouns, but keep in mind your pronouns can be any words you want them to be.

Gender

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines gender this way: “Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time.”

So, essentially, gender is more about how we express ourselves in relationship to our biological sex, but this expression is a social construct, not a biological fact. We used to understand this as being a tomboy or an effeminate guy. They didn’t fit the stereotypes of their sex, but no one argued they were not, in fact, their biological sex. Now, the word is how the world tries to explain how your biological sex may have been “assigned” incorrectly at birth because you might feel like one of the other seventy-two genders.

Now, if I see a man wearing women’s clothing and makeup and refer to him as, well, him, then I run the risk of misgendering him. No big deal, right? Actually, it can be. Take, for instance, the October 2021 incident at a Sonic Drive-In with trans activist Eden Torres. Torres was at a Sonic Drive-In when the staff called Torres “sir” after reading the credit card with a male name on it that Torres had handed them. Torres had male features, a masculine voice, and a man’s name at the time. Torres berated the staff, and shared a video of the incident online in order to shame them. The staff were investigated.

Additionally, in Wisconsin, three middle schoolers “misgendered” a classmate who prefers plural pronouns, and they were accused of sexual harassment. In reality, these middle schoolers just couldn’t reconcile looking at one person and referring to that individual as “they” or “them.”

God Doesn’t Make Mistakes

The insistence on denying reality and trying to be whatever one wants to be is really just an attempt to play God. We have all heard the argument that God made a mistake. We aren’t always who we look like, meaning male or female. Sure, you might be born a female, but you can be a male inside. Or maybe neither… Or something between male and female. But that’s all a lie.

First, God only created male and female. You can be one or the other. That’s it.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (emphasis mine)

Genesis 1:27

Second, God doesn’t make mistakes. His ways and laws are perfect, and everything He creates is good. He has no flaws.

“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” (emphasis mine)

Psalm 18:30

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (emphasis mine)

Psalm 19:7

Influence On The Church

Christians have begun accepting these language changes and adopting them into their own lives. Churches, in an effort to be more palatable to the culture, have adopted gender-inclusive pronouns and gender diversity inside their churches with no loving rebuke or teachings against it. The transgender movement has moved right into the Church.

2. Misunderstanding love creates LGBTQ+ Allies.

What is love? According to the world, love accepts and validates everyone’s beliefs and lifestyles. Disagreement is akin to hate, and tolerance is never enough. Embrace it, celebrate it, and promote it. Otherwise, you don’t love them.

However, this is not biblical love. For starters, biblical love includes how we show God our love.

We obey Him.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 14:15

Next, everything we do ought to be done in love. So, reacting to others or cultural pressures with fear or indifference is not an option.

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)

First Corinthians 13, sometimes referred to as the love chapter, tells us that love rejoices in truth. When Christians are LGBTQ+ allies, they are not rejoicing in truth. Instead, they are embracing lies and sin.

We know how God created us, and we have even had His truth about male and female differences confirmed through science. Yet, many churches reject truth for the world’s deception.

“Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”

1 Corinthians 13:6

Finally, real love is what we see through Christ’s sacrifice for us. He died for us and gave us everlasting life, and our fleshly desires are crucified with Him. Christians need to leave behind their old ways and put on God’s ways. How are we living a new life in Christ if we support and placate sinful lifestyles.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

Influence On The Church

Anyone who stands for the authority of Scripture and for fidelity to the Word has heard some variation of “that’s not very loving.” Christians are often challenged by other Christians and the unchurched, alike, about how to show true Christian love. After being called unloving for the umpteenth time, letting things slide and going along with the cultural trajectory starts to look pretty wise. I mean, more people will come to church and hear the gospel if we are LGBTQ+ allies, right? Frankly, it’s unlikely, and what gospel will they get anyway when the church is supporting sin?

3. Cultural normalization creates LGBTQ+ Allies.

LGBTQ+ lifestyles used to be “alternative,” but now the cultural push is to view them as normal or even preferred. A recent Gallup poll reported that 5.6% of American adults identify as LGBTQ. Meanwhile, our media have decided to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is represented in nearly everything, despite a significantly smaller representation in reality.

Commercials and ads are seemingly required to feature same-sex couples whether they are selling laundry detergent, coffee, diapers, or vacations. Makeup now seems just as likely to be featured on a transgender woman (a biological male) as it is to be on a woman. Of course, these days no one can tell us what a woman is, anyway. In addition, LGBTQ+ overrepresentation is evident in television shows, movies, and celebrity tabloid coverage.

The Target: Kids

Cultural normalization of the LGBTQ+ community is mostly focused on children. “Family-friendly” drag shows meant to include children in performances, drag queen story hours at local libraries, movies (e.g., Lightyear), and children’s programing (e.g., Disney+, PBS) have all begun unapologetically pushing the LGBTQ+ agenda.

Schools have also become an altar to LGBTQ+ propaganda. Libs of TikTok has faithfully shared videos that teachers have created about the conversations they have with their classes. Thankfully, parents finally have a way to see what their children’s teachers are doing. (Note: I’m not saying all teachers are pushing an LGBTQ+ agenda, but it’s way more common than most parents want to admit. It’s time to stop saying, “Not my school, not my teachers.”)   

Besides teachers having questionable conversations on sexuality with their students, they are also providing books in classrooms and libraries that many people would consider pornographic. I won’t link to the book because of how graphic the pictures and writing are, but a popular book making the rounds in schools and libraries is Gender Queer. Most recently it was on a suggested summer reading list for 6th graders in Barrington, Illinois. It features graphic language and pornographic illustrations.

Influence On The Church

The heavy push from the media and schools to normalize LGBTQ+ lifestyles has crept into churches. For one, most Christians send their children to public school. When we provide our children with a public education funded by the government, then we should expect a government agenda and indoctrination.

This isn’t a new problem, though, reserved for today’s children. It began years ago. Moms and dads, many of us have had it normalized in our education. We are part of the problem.

Second, churchgoers are simply not particularly careful about what they watch. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Yet, we unwind at the end of the day with Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, and This is Us. Where’s the virtue in these programs?

This constant normalizing exposure not alone makes us tolerant, but it makes us supportive, as well. We become LGBTQ+ allies slowly and without notice.

4. Biblical illiteracy creates LGBTQ+ allies.

Americans are, as a whole, biblically illiterate, but disappointingly, so are many Christians. Christianity Today reported that more than 40% of churchgoers read their Bibles once or twice a month. Additionally, 1 out of 5 do not read their Bibles at all! Another source found that 81% of born-again Christians believe that “the Bible teaches the primary purpose in life is to take care of one’s family.” That’s an admirable goal, but it’s not our primary purpose in life. What are Christians being taught and from whom? Below are a few big blind spots in biblical literacy.

False Teachers

False gospels, social agendas, and easy believism have permeated American Christianity. And why not? These lies usually gather crowds of support…and dollars. Rick Warren is a prime example of a well-accepted false teacher. I wrote a post about him a while back, and I still consistently receive angry, rude, or confused comments about Warren and Saddleback Church. I’m regularly told that he does only good, and Warren, himself, recently bragged about the 1.1 million pastors he has trained.

Warren pushes social good. A Ted Talk (posted below) he gave in 2006 ended with his answer to what is our purpose in this life. “So, my advice to you is: Look at what’s in your hand – your identity, your influence, your income – and say, ‘It’s not about me. It’s about making the world a better place.’” That quote can sum up his entire ministry. Sure, it sounds nice, but that’s not biblical.

According to the comments I get when I criticize Warren, a lot of Christians believe him. When I give them Scripture that contradicts his teaching, what do you think they reject? I’ll give you a clue. It isn’t Rick Warren.

Christians are turning to Rick Warren, Ann Voskamp, Sarah Young, Beth Moore, Steven Furtick, and Andy Stanley to learn about their faith rather than God’s Word. Believers are learning and accepting false gospels while rejecting the the true gospel, and they don’t even seem to know the difference.

Judgy McJudgersons

Most likely from false teachers, Christians have “learned” that we can never judge. To judge something is to hate, don’t ya know? Well, that’s a load of garbage, but it’s the lesson progressive Christians insist on jamming down our throats. Just for fun, let’s see what God says about judging.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

John 7:24

So, judge according to things that matter. Don’t jump to conclusions based only on what we see. However, if someone is in sin, then judge accordingly.

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

Hebrews 10:30

Now we get to the meat of the matter. When a Christian judges, it is not the same as God’s judgement. So, “only God can judge” is a true and false statement. I cannot judge anyone in the sense that I do not determine their eternal destination. I am unable to offer any eternal rewards or punishments. On the other hand, I can recognize sin, and I can and will call it what it is. Sin. Let’s hope I address people lovingly and with tact, but I am not called to turn a blind eye.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

Judge not? Kind of. Don’t judge hypocritically. So, if I’m deep in gluttony and stuffing my face every day, then telling you to lay off the desserts might be a bad call.

Inclusion At All Costs

The opposite of including people is excluding people. Somewhere along the line, Christians started to believe that Christianity is an inclusive faith. The Bible would say otherwise.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

“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.”

John 3:3

We must be born again through faith in Christ Jesus, or we cannot be saved. Not everyone is a Christian, and with sadness I remind you, not everyone will be. The Church should love everyone and reach into the community with practical helps and the spiritual antidote to sin’s consequences, the gospel. But ultimately, the Christian faith is absolutely exclusionary. All are welcome, but not all will come.

Impact On The Church

When believers choose false teaching over the Bible, are unwilling to identify and judge sin for what it is, and insist on including everyone as “one of us,” then churches are tilling fertile ground to become LGBTQ+ allies.

5. Equating one’s sexuality with one’s identity creates LGBTQ+ allies.

The most disturbing thing to me about the LGBTQ+ agenda is the insistence on creating an identity based on one’s sexuality. How does what I do in my bedroom define me? And why should I flaunt it and make everyone around me hear about it and celebrate it? Sounds weird, right? Well, welcome to Pride month!

Although sex is not a shameful thing, it is not a public thing. If I introduced myself to someone, then I might tell them I’m a Christian, a wife, a mother, a homeschooler, a suburban Chicago native, etc. I know for a fact that I would never introduce myself by clarifying who I want to have sex with. Talk about awkward social gatherings!

Let’s look at Scripture and see how a Christian’s identity is defined in the Lord.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10

We are His workmanship. You and I have been carefully and skillfully crafted for a purpose.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26

If you are saved, then you are a child of God. What a privilege to be His son or daughter.

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Romans 8:17

We are joint heirs with Christ. We share an inheritance with Him, and we, too, will be glorified. Amen!

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

1 Peter 2:9

This is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me that I am set apart for God. I have been called out of the darkness in which I used to live and am now accepted as an adopted daughter. But not just me. All Christians. What a beautiful way for God to see us.

Impact On The Church

God does not define us by our sexuality. That is not the focus of our lives here, and although He created sex, He did not create sex to be our purpose or identity. Christians who believe our fundamental identity is rooted in our sexuality will predictably align themselves with LGBTQ+ allies.

6. Weak churches create LGBTQ+ allies.

Leadership

I’m going to start with pastors. Some of them have remained silent on the LGBTQ+ issue. They’ve offered no teaching, no opinion, no training, and no conversations. These men are either cowards or ignorant. Whether it has been fear of the community, fear of losing members, or not understanding the seriousness of the issue, these men have not protected their flocks. I want to say that it’s not too late to start, but I’m honestly not sure.

An Attendance Hemorrhage

A Gallup poll released in 2021 found that church membership fell below the majority for the first time. In 2020, 47% of adult Americans belonged to a church, mosque, or synagogue. In 1999, that number was 70%.

Churches are feeling the hit of lower membership. Less members means less money, less impact, and less popularity. Church doors close when membership is too low. So, church staff sees their jobs on the line. How tempting is it for them to stay quiet on divisive issues?

To stay open and growing, a church feels the pull to be relevant. These days, there’s hardly anything more relevant than being an LGBTQ+ ally.

The Walking Dead (In Trespasses And Sins)

We have an elephant in the room I can’t ignore anymore. Churches are filled with the walking dead. Not all churchgoers are saved. False conversion, cultural Christianity, and the “got dragged along” demographic fill our pews. We can’t seriously expect the unsaved to approach sin in any other way than as unsaved people.

Most people deny American churches are filled with unbelievers, but we have Scriptural support.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Matthew 7:21-23

It sure sounds like these people thought they were believers. They even thought they were doing good works. Yet, Jesus denied them. So, yes, unsaved people are in our churches. Don’t despair. Just keep being faithful to the Lord

Worldview

The book Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain begins with some startling statistics. One would assume that people in church would adhere to a biblical worldview, but Crain found evidence to the contrary. I suggest picking up a copy of her book for the full scope on this issue, but I’ll point out one statistic I found quite troubling.

Crain shared Barna statistics (p.26-27) based on the following definition of “biblical worldview:”

– absolute moral truth exists

– the Bible is completely accurate in all the principles it teaches

– Satan is a real being or force

– a person can’t earn their way into Heaven by being good or doing good works

– Jesus lived a sinless life on Earth

– God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.

Given that definition of “biblical worldview,” only 17% of Christians who consider their faith important and attend church regularly hold a biblical worldview. Read it again if you have to because that is shocking. And this isn’t an outlier among the various studies on the subject. Church, we have a problem.

Impact On The Church

This should be obvious. Churches with silent pastors, spiritually dead members, and a secular worldview will take on the world’s teachings on sexuality with ease creating LGBTQ+ allies in churches.

What Should Christians Do?

As the churches are bombarded with pressures from the secular world to be LGBTQ+ allies and ignore clear commands in Scripture, believers are left having to navigate this brave new world. Do we sit quietly and accept it? Do we rage and fight back?

1. Pray

Present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6) regarding this issue. Pray for your church, family, and friends to resist the pull of the culture. Ask God to open doors for you to share the gospel and demonstrate God’s love.

Remember those who identify as LGBTQ+ need Jesus just as much as anyone else, and God can get a hold of their hearts. Pray for their salvation.

2. Pay attention to the language choices you use.

Words matter. When you call a man “she,” you are validating and participating in a lie. Hey, you don’t have to argue with someone about their pronouns. If you must, just avoid using them. But don’t get pulled into using language that confirms and accepts sin.

3. Don’t be bullied into loving like the world.

The secular world doesn’t know how to love. Encouraging people to deny God’s love and design for each person is not love. Agreeing with people’s sinful behavior is not love. Withholding God’s Truth to allow people to feel more comfortable is not love.

Biblical love does not mean we must be in unity with everyone and every idea. Love will come alongside someone and show them how to be free from the bondage of sin.

4. Limit how much LGBTQ+ propaganda you consume.

A common argument I hear is that nearly everything coming out these days has the LGBTQ+ agenda in it. So, no one can avoid it. I agree and disagree. Yes, it’s almost impossible to avoid in new shows, movies, etc., but you can avoid it. Turn off the television. Shut your laptop. Cancel Disney+ and Netflix. Do what you must. You choose what media you consume and how much.

How big a sacrifice is limiting your media intake? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…for you and me (Romans 5:8). Can’t we just unplug, or do we count that sacrifice as too high a price?

5. Know your Bible.

Being familiar with the Word and knowing where and how to find answers will protect you from unbiblical influences. Don’t be swayed by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, know your Bible well enough to be able to identify a false teaching when you hear it.

6. Know who you are in Christ.

You are human, so I assume you have some sort of sexual nature. But that’s not who you are. Christian, you are a daughter (or son) of the One True God. Rejoice in that. Be fulfilled in that. Trust Him and obey Him in all things, and you will find an abundant life filled with peace and joy that a sexual identity could never replicate.

7. Flee churches that conform to the world.

Your pastor may be a great guy with a gift for speaking. You may have great friendships, ministry opportunities, and be comfortable in your church, but it’s time to leave if you find the leadership is accommodating the secular community rather than holding fast to the Word of God.

Our primary relationship in Christianity is not with out churches but with Jesus.

Final Thought

The LGBTQ+ discussion is a contentious one in churches, but it shouldn’t be. I’m not surprised when the secular world is clutching its pearls at the biblical stance on this issue, but Christians should know better. There is no room for compromise in this area, but let’s also remember there is no excuse for hate. This is not a call to arms against the LGBTQ+ community. Rather, it’s a call to truly love them.

Those of us who follow Christ should approach LGBTQ+ conversations as we should with all other sin. Reject the sin; don’t embrace it. And share the gospel because it is meant for everyone to hear. Christians have no place taking on unbiblical social/political positions and being LGBTQ+ allies (aka: supporters). If you really want to be an ally, then the best way is by sharing the truth that saves.

“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.”

Romans 12:2

What is your experience with churches and the LGBTQ+ movement? Has it infiltrated your church walls?

Image courtesy of James A. Molnar via Unsplash.