Gays for God: People
Each month Gays for God focuses on one person or group of people in
the news.
Sunday, May 11, 1998
Sunland, Calif.
Pastor Rick Reisner called a special congregational gathering this evening at the Sunland Foursquare Church. The meeting was called to give three members of the congregation an opportunity to repent of their sexually immoral sins or be removed from the congregation excommunication until they publicly repent, apologize and ask for forgiveness. A cheerful farewell was also given to a member-family who were leaving the church.
Approximately 100 members present in audience heard Pastor Reisner read several passages from the Bible regarding sexual immorality including verses from Leviticus, Romans, 1 Corinthians and I Timothy. Pastor Reisner also quoted verses from Mattthew, 1 Corinthians and Titus which address the issues of removing unrepentant sinners from the congregation as well as committing their souls into the hands of Satan so that they may be saved on the Day of Judgment.
Members Marke Bridge and Jana Cox were asked to stand in front of the congregation and repent, apologize and ask for forgiveness for their sexually immoral sins. Cox is currently pregnant with the young couple’s second child conceived in wedlock. Since this is the couple’s second child, it was the second time that they were required to stand before the congregation or face excommunication. Although no date for their wedding was announced, the couple was tearfully, yet cheerfully, reintegrated back into the congregation. Applause resounded as Pastor Reisner encouraged the congregation to acknowledge Jesus’ forgiveness of Bridge and Cox sexual immorality and public confession.
Silence filled the sanctuary as Pastor Reisner gave three opportunities for 18-year-old Steve Payne to repent of his sexual immorality. Terrified, Payne sat mute facing his friends, the test of the congregation and the pastor. Payne had been a member of the congregation since age 12 and had given written notice to Pastor Reisner effective two days ago, requesting to be removed from the rolls of membership. Thanks in part to his Christian education of the Foursquare Church, Payne aspires to be a pastor himself and has already established a cyber-ministry dedicated to the Christian education of gay/lesbian youth (www.anglefire.com/la/gayChristianyouth) and is currently attending another church, Christ Chapel of North Hollywood. Payne shares a studio apartment with his boyfriend, Frank, and it is assumed that allegations of sexual immorality stem from Payne’s monogamous, homosexual relationship even though the word ‘homosexuality” was never once mentioned in the pastors quoting of scripture.
Having given an opportunity to repent of sexual immorality which went unanswered by Payne, Pastor Reisner then prayed and warned his congregation to have nothing more to do with the 18-year-old claiming scripture which says that churches are to banish and avoid any further communication with, unrepentant sinners. Although it was threatened by the Pastor Reisner, the committing of Payne into the hands of Satan was not accomplished, and the meeting was concluded with a cheerful farewell to a member-family followed by a time of prayer. Payne left the church. No one spoke to him.
—Dana Seufart. Seufert loves the ocean but hates gnarly reefs and is a professional musician with 20+ years of experience in music ministry.
The letter that Pastor Rick sent to &eve Payne:
Subj: Re: Please Read
Date: 98—05—13 04:23:49 EDT
From: BigREVRic
To: PRAISHIM96
Steven.
I want you to know that we are having a congregation meeting on Sunday
evening (17th). If by that time you have not repented of being involved
in homosexuality, you will be taken out of fellowship with this congregation
based On 1 Cor 1:1-5.
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and our brother Sosthenes,
2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus
and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ
Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all
your speaking and in all your knowledge—(NIV)
It will also be based on Matt 18:15:
15"If your brother sins against yougo and show him his fault, just
between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother
over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so
that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three
witnesses.'17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would
a pagan or a tax collector.
Marks Bridge & Jana Cox have been given the same deadline to repent before the congregation or face being removed from fellowship based on the same scriptures.
I am fairly sure you will not agree with this or in any way understand our position that each of you have forced upon us. You know that we loved you & we will continue to love you, but we are accountable before God to take this scriptural stance. It is not our way of doing things… it is Gods way. He loves sinners...so do we. He hates sin so do we. We will always be here to help restore you.... if you so desire.
I can not in words explain the pan this me & Bobbie.
But there is no room whatsoever for negotiation or for compromise on
homosexuality. It is an abomination to God. We tried (Mitch. Troy. Don.
Bobbi, Me) to help you because you
said you wanted help & wanted out of this bondage... when you feel
this way again we will be waiting with open arms to embrace you. I know
you don’t mean to do wrong or to hurt the heart of God, but I
am afraid that is exactly what you are doing.
I will continue to pray that God will open your eyes… and that you would come running back to the Body of Christ.
God Bless your decision making.
Pastor Rick
Steve Payne sends the following letter to his supporters in faith:
Steve Payne
(Address and Contact information Removed)
May16, 1996
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I would like to start and say THANKS and may GOD BLESS you... This has been a Struggle for me.
I would ask that you please continue to pray forms in this struggle. And continue to pray for my partner and our relationship as we might break up. And also my help.
Satan said to God: “Satan answered the LORD, “from roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’ (Job 1:7) Job was plagued with many trails and Scripture states: The LORD said to Satan, ‘Very well then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you?
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and 1 am the only one who has escaped to tell your’
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sans and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell your
At this Job got up and tore his robe end shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I will depart The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.” (Job 1:12-22, NIV)
This was the First Test.
I would like to explain what took place at the Church when Dana and I went... As you know I took a witness and went to hear what was going to be said. They said that there was another person that was involved and was confronted about their sexual immorality. And they mentioned my name and ask if I was going to repent. I stayed in my chair and did not say anything to them. The congregation looked at me and I did nothing... faced my accuser. There was a few seconds of silences. They prayed for me. He also mentioned that I had known them for many year.. I believe that it was recorded. Dana or will try to get a copy of the tape from Church. They did not follow what I stated in the Letter that I had written to them.
Since the Pastor has changed his email address in this letter I have provided the address to the church and also that of the Foursquare headquarters address and phone number.
If you would like to write please do. May the Lord take this into his hands through my writing.
Church Address:
Sunland Foursquare Church,
Pastor Rick & Bobbie Reisner
10602 Sherman Grove
Sunland, Ca 91040 USA
(818) 352-5943
Foursquare headquarters
Roger Williams
1910W. Sunset Boulevard, Suite 200
P.O. 8ox 26902
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213)989-4221
Please send all general correspondence in care of the Communications Office.
Regarding Scripture I have faith that, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
Also Paul says it best at Romans starting at chapter 8:38: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
9:1 “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—“ No I am not lying and I pray that he will take care of it.
Paul also continues at Romans 9:2-5 which reads: “2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.”
I really have to say I feel like Paul here in Romans.
Thanks again for the support and the continued support.
In His Service,
Steve Payne
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Phil 4:13