Category Archives: Unity Fellowships
GCM Watch seeks former members of gay churches
Gay Christian Movement Watch is seeking first hand accounts and personal narratives of several categories of individuals who have had personal experience with gay churches and organizations.
First, GCM Watch is seeking testimonials of former members of gay churches namely: Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), any affiliate churches of The Fellowship (Bishop Yvette Flunder), Unity Fellowship Church Movement or any independent gay church. In addition, if you were part of an “affirming” or “inclusive” church, but left because you no longer accepted its false doctrines, please contact GCM Watch as soon as possible.
Secondly, if you have visited, but never joined a gay/affirming/inclusive church your personal narrative of that experience is also welcomed. Please tell us what you saw and heard.
Third, if you know of someone who fits the criteria above, forward this information to them and ask them to contact GCM Watch.
These personal narratives are being sought to provide a balanced and truthful counter to the lies currently being promoted by gay churches about biblical sexual morality. These organizations promise an overabundance of love, value and acceptance but what are they actually delivering to hurting and confused people?
Contact GCM Watch at gcmwatch@yahoo.com
Partial list of “affirming/inclusive” religious organizations here .
Tonex's gay church gig
Is the singer finally out the box?
Its really sad to report that former black gospel music golden child Anthony Williams aka Tonex (pronounced tone nay)
is now singing in gay churches. The website of a local Unity Fellowship Church carried this brief announcement.
We, the Body of Christ of UFCNB, would like to take this glorious opportunity to say thank you to every member, volunteer, supporter and friend who made our 7th Anniversary Gala an extraordinary event. Blessings to TONEX for anointing the building with his magnificent voice.”
Tonex has chronicled much his public meltdowns with his record company, former wife, gospel music industry, his church and others online. Last year, in a profanity-strewn confession, he admitted homosexual conduct. Despite that very public fact, Tonex was still feted as a special guest at the Higher Dominion COGIC in suburban San Diego.
We are urging prayer for Tonex and warning churches not to further hasten Tonex’s downward spiral by exalting his talent above the need for his soul to be saved.
Addendum 06.16.08: There seems to be some discussion around the internet as to whether this post is legitimate in its reporting on Tonex and his sexual issues. What we strive to present is evidence, gathered from (1) events Tonex has been in attendance, (2) words spoken or written by Tonex himself (3) words written by others about their direct interaction with Tonex. Based on this evidence and in context, we compare it to what the scripture says about such conduct. As a general practice GCM Watch attempts courtesy contact to get subject’s pov, but more often that not, there is no response.
As such Tonex is welcome to present any information not already made public here as long as it is not gratuitous self promotion or the wanton promotion of false doctrine.
Recently, we recieved information that Tonex would be a guest performer on an exclusively homosexual cruise and had produced the theme song for the event (ironically named Standing in the Truth) where he sings of “loving” another man. Our admonition to churches and pastors to close their doors to this man is based on this information which does not bring glory to God nor is it acceptable Christian conduct to be celebrated in God’s house. There is no intent on the part of GCM Watch to prevent Tonex from living his life as he chooses. We do have an obligation to inform and warn churches of his chosen path when it comes in conflict with biblical principles.
GCM Watch seeking former gay church members
Gay Christian Movement Watch is seeking first hand accounts and personal narratives of several categories of individuals who have had personal experience with gay churches and organizations.
First, GCM Watch is seeking testimonials of former members of gay churches namely: Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), any affiliate churches of The Fellowship (Bishop Yvette Flunder), Unity Fellowship Church Movement or any independent gay church. In addition, if you were part of an “affirming” or “inclusive” church, but left because you no longer accepted its false doctrines, please contact GCM Watch as soon as possible.
Secondly, if you have visited, but never joined a gay/affirming/inclusive church your personal narrative of that experience is also welcomed.
Third, if you know of someone who fits the criteria above, forward this information to them and ask them to contact GCM Watch.
These personal narratives are being sought to provide a balanced and truthful counter to the lies currently being promoted by gay churches about biblical sexual morality. These organizations promise an overabundance of love, value and acceptance but what are they actually delivering to hurting and confused people?
- Contact GCM Watch at gcmwatch@yahoo.com
- Partial list of “affirming/inclusive” religious organizations here and here.
This announcement will repost each month.
GCM Watch seeking former members of gay churches
Gay Christian Movement Watch is seeking first hand accounts and personal narratives of several categories of individuals who have had personal experience with gay churches and organizations.
First, GCM Watch is seeking testimonials of former members of gay churches namely: Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), any affiliate churches of The Fellowship (Bishop Yvette Flunder), Unity Fellowship Church Movement or any independent gay church. In addition, if you were part of an “affirming” or “inclusive” church, but left because you no longer accepted its false doctrines, please contact GCM Watch as soon as possible.
Secondly, if you have visited, but never joined a gay/affirming/inclusive church your personal narrative of that experience is also welcomed.
Third, if you know of someone who fits the criteria above, forward this information to them and ask them to contact GCM Watch.
These personal narratives are being sought to provide a balanced and truthful counter to the lies currently being promoted by gay churches about biblical sexual morality. These organizations promise an overabundance of love, value and acceptance but what are they actually delivering to hurting and confused people?
- Contact GCM Watch at gcmwatch@yahoo.com
- Partial list of “affirming/inclusive” religious organizations here and here.
This announcement will repost each month.
Liberation theology or victimology?
As the Unity Fellowship Church prepares to celebrate its 25 year anniversary, we thought it prudent to take a look at their doctrine called “liberation theology”. Is it acceptable Christian doctrine? Does it pass the test of right division and right application of scripture?
While the UFC’s founder Carl Bean (pictured, left) did not originate the term nor become the first to use it, he did introduce it into black gay religious thought.
Liberation theology is, in the broader sense, a component of the Christian social justice movement with Marxist overtones. Using scriptures like Matthew 10:34 and Luke 22:35-38, proponents see themselves as literal emissaries of Christ to liberate those they consider poor and oppressed. Teachers pitted orthopraxy (practice) against orthodoxy (doctrine) as the more acceptable way to express Christianity. Thus, liberation theology was adaptable to any group which designated itself “oppressed”. It was in this context that Bishop Carl Bean saw liberation theology as a fitting expression of the Unity Fellowship Church.
Social justice religion has become paired with political religion as a mean of accomplishing the goals of liberation theology proponents. Christian disciplines such as prayer and love are not viewed as effective tools of change, so it became necessary to partner with political entities and incorporate political causes to “liberate” the poor and oppressed.
Bean’s interpretation of liberation theology was that [quote]:
— it is not a male-dominated hierarchy
— it is not oppressive to women
— it is not oppressive to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual,
Intersexual, or Heterosexual people
—God is greater than any religion, denomination or
school of thought
1. Is not a male dominated hierarchy.
Obviously a rejection of the patriarchial system of the scripture and society, Bean’s first point seems to be a further rejection of the men in power would not allow homosexuality an influential place in the church. Use of the word “domination” suggests a authoritarian rule of men, but plays well into the liberation victimology (us vs them) mindset. In this case, oppressed by men. However, Bean did not follow his own guidelines. In its 25 years of operation, the UFC never allowed a woman to advance to its heirarchy of leadership. It wasn’t until more lesbians began starting UFC churches that the demand for representation at the top became more vocal. Consequently, the UFC is set to ordain its first female bishop, Tonya Rawlins of Charlotte this year. 25 years after Bean set the “no male domination” policy.
The wider implication against scripture deals with the Fatherhood of God. God as father ordained the man in his place over the woman. Paul wrote that the woman was “created for the man” (1 Cor 11:8-10). Paul’s teaching (1 Tim 2:13) did not alter the creative order, but added the context of love. He instructed the man to love and respect the woman as Christ loved the church. Thus, the patriarchy is still (order-wise) in place.
2. Is not oppressive to women.
We agree that Jesus liberated and lifted the woman from her status as property and second class citizenship. But it was only a derivative of the true mission of Christ. His priority liberated all people from the bondage of sin. He did not liberate the woman (nor anyone else) through social programs, marches or protests. As a matter of record, Jesus resisted attempts to be a social justice savior i.e. liberating the Jews from Roman domination. He shed his blood as a ransom for sins. Therefore, every woman has freedom in Christ through his shed blood. We question what good it would be for a woman to have equality in society and remain a prisoner of sin? Elevating the temporal over the eternal minimizes the Cross of Christ and indeed his very purpose.
3. Is not sexually oppressive.
Let’s face it, the Bible is both sexually repressive and sexually liberating, but never oppressive. That’s the language of the “liberators” who want all forms of sexual expression validated and celebrated. On one hand, the scriptures tell us to control and repress any desires which would lead to sexual sin.
1 Thessalonian 4:2-4 “The Lord Jesus gave us the right and the power to tell you what to do. 3 God wants you to be holy. You must keep away from sex sins. 4 God wants each of you to use his body in the right way by keeping it holy and by respecting it.” (NLV) So whether one has homosexual or heterosexual or anything in between there is no allowance to act them out. Additionally, Jesus condemned even the desire to commit sexual sin!( Mt 5:28)
On the other hand, the Bible allows unrestrained sexual bliss, but only in the context of monogamous, opposite sex, covenant marriage. Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (21st CKJV)
4. God is greater than any religion, denomination or school of thought.
This is true, but stated as substantiation of liberation theology’s rejection of doctrinal authority. God is greater than all these, but God has also given us His written word and will which we are to adhere to. This is an antinominalist spin which allows the “liberators” to simply reject orthodoxy because of God’s alleged personal instruction to them. According to Christian theologian Dr J.I. Packer, antinominianalists elevate following the “spirit” or God above scripture, thereby creating an easy out from moral restrictions:
“What matters is not what the Scripture tells me. I am a spiritual person, filled with the Holy Spirit. I am above the law of the Scripture. I am led by the Spirit, and the Spirit overrules the Scripture. The Spirit can even contradict the Scripture. I am a spiritual Christian, and I am led by the Spirit. I do what the Spirit tells me, and I don’t worry about the Holy Scriptures.”
Is Unity Fellowship worshipping dead people?
I see dead people. But its not who you think it is.
Is the black gay church denomination Unity Fellowship of Christ Church worshipping dead ancestors? Do they actually allow the practice of pouring out libation or “drink offerings” to dead people in a so-called Christian church? I had heard several times from ex-members that indeed it is allowed, but we had no evidence. That changes with this interesting profile of UFC’s local DC congregation.
In a photo slide show, The Washington Post profiles the local congregation and in the process proves just how bizarre the beliefs of some gay churches can be.
Intoning over the pictures, Rev. Abena McCray, pastor says,
“We believe in the bible and we believe in all great spiritual writings and guides, but we read them knowing that they have to be read, taken in consideration when they were written, the practices of that time, cultural differences, and fact that we as thinking the people have the right to question and examine interpretation and we dont really believe that when they put the last line in revelation, that the Bible stopped. We are the bible we are the living bible.”
I’m not sure I will ever understand why a so-called Christian church would use the Bible, but then categorically retort that it is basically useless to them unless it can fit into their tiny window of credibility. The window of useage of the Bible has to meet all of Rev. McCray’s near atheistic criteria before she will accept its applicability. One wonders if there is anything left to approve after McCray’s rigorous trial by fire approval system. Of course, fielding such criteria provides her with an easy out of anything which doesn’t parallel her own mutant ideologies.
And yes, the pastor acknowledges belief in “all great spiritual writings”. This may sound lofty, enlightened and open, but it is a sentence of judgment. Apparently Christ (in Scripture) holds very little prominence in the Unity Fellowship. He is but a mere religious relic alongside other religious apparitions in the UFC. A derivative of His name is used, but the practices and idolatrous beliefs of McCray and the UFC betray and denigrate His unimpeachable Lordship and supremacy. Either he is Christ alone or he is not Christ at all. The apostle Peter wrote prophetically: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 2:1.
Based on Rev. McCray’s own words, she is a false prophet in an organization thinly masquerading as a Christian church. According to scripture anyone who denies Christ the same is devoid of the Father since there can be no separating of the two.
To sum: you can deny Jesus Christ, demote his Lordship, discredit the Bible, speak to dead people, and when you do use the Bible, grossly misinterpret it, but for Buddha’s sakes, whatever you do, don’t stop singing those black gospel songs! That seems to be the strategy at UFC.
In the WaPo peice, Mccray is heard commanding: ”Call the names of your ancestors!” With African drums pounding in the background for effect, she calls the names of several people with the response ashay meaning “be with us”. One of the names called is murdered lesbian activist Wanda Alston, a woman whose god was “feminist activism”. Does the DC UFC think that Alston is watching over them or that she is protecting them? The scriptures say that the dead have no memory (Eccl 9:5) moreover, God explicity commands that no living person is to attempt contact with the dead. But we’re sure those things don’t pass Rev. McCray’s credibility muster.
Finally what is a false prophet without requisite hypocrisy? McCray claims spiritual superiority by saying that —unlike others— UFC ”doesn’t discriminate” and they certainly don’t commit the cardinal sin of ”judging”. To her, that means that everyone can come into her church. We felt that was exceptionally novel. Thousands of churches all across the length and breadth of America and there’s only one who allows everybody to come in. But this is one strange welcome. Homeless people and drug addicts have to “sit down”, be “decent” and cannot be “loud or boisterous.” McCray should have just invited these people From what I have seen most homeless folk because of their living conditions, would hardly be considered decent. Drug addicts even worse.
