Presbyterian church choir members protest sermon by Graham’s daughter
The Layman Online, May 15, 2002
Some members of a Presbyterian church in Charlotte walked out of a sermon by Anne Lotz, Billy Graham’s daughter, after she characterized homosexuality as sin.
Later, the Rev. R. David Kaylor, interim pastor of Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, said in a Sunday sermon that Lotz “represents a segment of society that tends to blame the victims who have little power to change things,” according to a story in the May 14 Charlotte Observer.
“Jesus used a very different standard of judgment,” Kaylor added. “He welcomed all people, but he especially welcomed those who were rejected by others.”
Lotz was in Charlotte on May 5 to promote a “Just Give Me Jesus” revival later this year. During a 40-minute sermon at Spirit Square, she called homosexuality one of several sins from which man needs to repent.
The Observer said that’s when seven or eight of the choir members from Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, an interracial congregation, rose from the risers behind Lotz and walked out one at a time.
A spokesman for Lotz, whose ministry is based in Raleigh, N.C., said, “Anne’s position is clear: The Bible says homosexuality is a sin.”
Officially, the Presbyterian Church (USA) does not declare homosexuality as a sin, but it does say homosexual activity is sinful – a view that was affirmed by 73 percent of the denomination’s presbyteries during a recent national referendum.