Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Florida Megachurch Pastor Sparks Anger From Congregation After Requiring 'Biblical Sexuality' Pledge

YouTube screenshot of Heath Lambert
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville/YouTube

Pastor Heath Lambert is giving members of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville until March 19 to sign, otherwise they will no longer be members.

Heath Lambert, the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida sparked online criticism for requiring churchgoers to sign and abide by a "biblical sexuality" pledge.

The pledge in question rejects LGBTQ+ people and unequivocally affirms the church's opposition to same-sex marriage. Lambert gave church members a deadline of March 19 to sign otherwise they will no longer be members.


It states:

"As a member of First Baptist Church, I believe that God creates people in his image as either male or female, and that this creation is a fixed matter of human biology, not individual choice."
"I believe marriage is instituted by God, not government, is between one man and one woman, and is the only context for sexual desire and expression.”

Lambert denied in an interview with Rolling Stone that the pledge discriminates against LGBTQ+ people, saying only it "does rule out the LGBTQ array of sins" and that rape, incest, polygamy, "and all sorts of things are ruled out just as much as homosexuality.”

In an official statement, the First Baptist Church said the pledge “is an exercise in clarity so that our members might understand our most fundamental commitments in a sexually confused world. It is also an exercise in love toward a lost world that desperately needs to know God’s standard for human sexuality.”

Lambert held an open mic event to address the community about the pledge's importance.

youtu.be

The open mic event was held in response to "concern, questions, and anger" the church acknowledges reared up since the pledge and its requirements were formally introduced.

Lambert insisted to reporters the pledge offers nothing controversial from a biblical standpoint and those who choose not to sign the pledge are still welcome to attend church services—they just won't be considered full members of the organization.

Mark Rutzen, a member of the congregation, told Action News Jax only full members can become deacons, teach and "hold a position on staff here of any authority or anything like that."

However, community member Sheri Lynn signaled not everyone in the congregation is on board with the new policy, saying people "need to love on one another and embrace one another," not "judge" or "separate."

The news of the pledge exposed Lambert and the church to significant criticism online.



More information about the “Statement on Biblical Sexuality” can be found on the First Baptist Church Jacksonville website, which also requires church members to declare there are only two genders.

Lambert and the church denied the policy is transphobic as well as homophobic.

More from News/lgbtq

People Reveal The Dark Secrets They Discovered About Someone After They Died

Sometimes you never know who someone is until they're gone.

Everyone has their secrets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters; Hakeem Jeffries
Fox News; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jesse Watters Pathetically Tries To Burn Hakeem Jeffries With Bizarre 'Rule For Men' Rant

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for having recently shared a photo of himself on Instagram that appeared to be digitally altered—with the bench he was leaning against noticeably warped around his hips.

You can see Jeffries' photo below.

Keep ReadingShow less
Snoop Dogg
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Snoop Dogg's Puppy Instagram Breaks Internet

Snoop Dogg introduced his fans to the newest little bow-wow in his household, a puppy named Baby Boy Broadus.

The adorable small tan French bulldog made his debut on the rapper’s Instagram account on June 28th, sporting a Louis Vuitton leash and chewing on his owner’s Death Row Jacket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
DRM News/YouTube

Trump Ripped After Going Off On Bonkers Rant About Room's Decor During Cabinet Meeting

During Tuesday's cabinet meeting while the press was in attendance, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump gave a rambling stream of consciousness speech that went all over the place before landing on paint versus gold leaf, leading people to again question the POTUS' mental acuity amid a notable cognitive decline.

In a disjointed monologue about the decor in the cabinet room, Trump said he stole a grandfather clock from Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office and chose a painting of James Polk because the frame matched the frame around his favorite President—Andrew Jackson.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Eric Adams
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Roasted After Viewers Notice Awkward Detail In His 'Morning Routine' Video

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was widely mocked after he shared a video on social media of his "morning routine," with time stamps showing his activities—only for viewers to notice that a standard black-and-white wall clock visible in part of the video showed a very different time.

Adams jumped on the latest Instagram trend this week, sharing his version of a “morning routine” video with his followers. The trend, which has already begun to fade, typically features sped-up clips of people going through their early rituals—complete with edits, ambient music, and timestamp overlays.

Keep ReadingShow less