One week after Chip and Joanna Gaines found themselves in hot water over their new show, Back to the Frontier, their pastor has spoken out.
Roughly one week ago, Chip and Joanna Gaines’ conservative fanbase turned on them due to the inclusion of a same-sex couple on their latest Magnolia Network show, Back to the Frontier. The Gaines, professing Christians, chose to cast two married men and their twin sons on the show. It was a decision that sparked backlash and a potential boycott.
Jimmy Seibert, pastor of Antioch Church in Waco, Texas, where Chip and Joanna have attended since early in their marriage, addressed the church’s stance on same-sex marriage in a video posted on Saturday, July 19.
In the clip, Seibert didn’t directly address the recent controversy, but spoke clearly about where his church stands on the issue of same-sex marriage. He encouraged compassion and forgiveness for those who are confused on the subject before leaving no doubt where Antioch stands.
“In Genesis 1, the Scripture says that God created us male and female. He created us in His image and He blessed us. There’s two genders – male and female. We’re to celebrate that and honor that,” Seibert said. “Secondly, in Genesis 2, we see that marriage is between one man and one woman in covenant for life, and children are to be born in that context of covenantal marriage.”
The pastor’s comments seem to contradict what Chip Gaines posted on social media following the premiere of Back to the Frontier.
In a post made to X on the day of the premiere, Chip wrote, “Y’all are going to love this show!! Social experiment + family time well spent.”
The post elicited a fiery response from fans of the Gaineses, who expressed surprise over the decision to cast a same-sex couple due to the couple’s conservative values.
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“Why are you promoting homosexuality as a Christian? Why compromise on the Bible’s clear teachings on this? Why support homosexuals buying kids? Disappointed would be an understatement…” one follower wrote.
“This is the closest I’ve come to seeing someone *literally* shoot themselves in the foot. You *have* to know that a large part of your base is professing Christians … whom you’ve now blown a Judas kiss.”
“Sorry, @chipgaines and @joannagaines. You can’t wrap sin in shiplap and call it wholesome.”
“I hope the money from HBO was worth it to turn your long-time, loyal fan base against you by compromising your Christian values on family and sexuality. I hope you’ll reconsider the things that led you to do this.”
“Pretty much your entire base is Christian, and you guys go and make a show and force in a gay couple? Not only is this sinful, it’s also tone-deaf. The majority of the country is sick of being force fed gay crap, and you guys are adding to the problem.”
Chip Gaines responded to the comments by writing, “Talk, ask qustns, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never.
It’s a sad Sunday when ‘non believers’ have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian💔”
Gaines’ final reply to the backlash was posted July 13 and was a redpost of a comment he shared in 2016 that said, “In times of trouble.. you’ll find the Gaines family at church.” He captioned the share with a simple statement that read, “On our way to church.. Y’all enjoy this beautiful Sunday!”
