Vicky Beeching caught up in gay marriage controversy

THE JUNE issue of Premier Christianity magazine ran a cover story on the latest developments on UK evangelicalism suggesting that attitudes towards gay activity is now the litmus test in assessing believers' Christian orthodoxy. The article hinged around the recent decision by the Evangelical Alliance to discontinue the membership of Oasis Trust, founded by well known speaker and author Steve Chalke. The decision was taken after Chalke's published support of same sex marriage. The article also detailed the controversy surrounding songwriter Vicky Beeching. Reported the article, ". . . former worship leader Vicky Beeching has begun writing a series of blogs explaining why she now embraces a theology that includes gay marriage. The decision to explain her theology came after messages of congratulation that she tweeted to the first gay couples to wed in March were met with an avalanche of criticism from much of her fan base. To them, the popular singer/songwriter had betrayed her evangelical roots. In her blog Beeching says that while many of her former supporters accuse her of selling out to a worldly agenda, the decision has actually meant a significant personal financial cost. Her main source of income - songwriting royalties - has tumbled since North American megachurches have begun to boycott the use of her songs."