By Bill Godair
For the Salisbury Post
First, allow me to say thank you to the Salisbury Post for allowing me to clear the air.
On Tuesday, July 19, I attended the City Council meeting in Salisbury. I did not go to voice my opinion one way or another concerning the Gay Pride day. As a local pastor for the past 25 years and also as an individual for the past 25 years, I have considered myself a friend to the homosexual community by spending countless hours praying for and counseling with them; yet many have tried to take my remarks from the council meeting and twist them to make it sound as if I’m against the gay community.
If I choose to vote against President Obama in 2012, no matter what people say, that does not make me a racist, nor does choosing not to support the Gay Pride day make me “homophobic.” I personally know several homosexuals in town who did not support the event. My purpose for attending the council meeting was all about economics.
Here are my notes that I read from at that meeting:
Mayor Kluttz & City Council:
Good afternoon! My name is Bill Godair, lead pastor of Cornerstone Church.
At this particular time, I don’t want to talk about the event that took place on Saturday, June 25th, except to say “in my opinion, you have placed every pastor in this county in a very bad position”. I personally have received over 130 calls, emails, text messages from over 24 churches/pastors and business owners with 90% being not connected to Cornerstone.
I’m not really concerned about the folks that participated either for or against or those that have written to the Salisbury Post. It’s the silent crowd that concerns me and that’s why I’m here today.
In January, Cornerstone spent $15,000 asking folks to join 40daysrowan.com … praying and fasting for the economics of our city and county. A couple of months back, we started “El Latino,” a Spanish newspaper, to give local news and to encourage the Latino community to spend their money in Salisbury/Rowan County.
I have recently learned that there is a group who is passing around a petition asking folks not to shop or spend their money in Salisbury. They have already received over 300 signatures. I will NOT sign the petition and in my opinion, it’s wrong and there’s nothing Godly or Christian in doing this. Don’t take your anger and frustration out on the businesses of Salisbury. hey are hard working individuals who possibly had nothing to do with the event. Take your anger to the polls and VOTE!
Mayor & council: good people live in this town but they are scared and angry not knowing if 30 days from now if they will have a job, a house or food to eat. There’s a major “anti-government” sentiment in this country and people are looking for someone to take it out on. Maybe worse than the event itself was the timing. In my opinion, whoever put pressure on you to do this was not a true friend.”
In May, Cornerstone also hosted the Chic-fil-A Leadercast, a day of training with John C. Maxwell and several other successful men and women. I’ve been asked, “Why is a pastor so concerned about economics and local businesses?” It’s simple; I believe God wants his people to be blessed.
Psalms 35:27 (KJV): “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”
III John 1:2 (KVJ): “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
I was recently asked, “Are you a prosperity preacher?” And immediately, I said “no.” Then I said “yes, prosperity with a purpose.” God wants to bless us so we can be a blessing to others. Our lives ought to be a funnel with blessings coming in and blessings going out.
I would like to say thank you to Kent and Howard at WSTP for allowing me time to talk about this on Thursday and once again to the Salisbury Post for allowing me to share my thoughts.
God bless.
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Bill Godair is lead pastor of Cornerstone Church. Email: bill@ cornerstone-church.net