August 23, 2006
"Some just hide it better"
In Tim's response to the last post, he said about destructive habits, "we all need mercy(some of us hide it better than others)." This got me thinking.
I mentioned that last weekend I spent Saturday at Cultivate, at the Freeway. One of the topics we talked about was social justice and under that, one of the sub-topics was same-gender attractedness and the church.
One of my questions in longing to become a church that has an open door to those who are same gender attracted, and anyone else for that matter. I mention this group of people because I think the Church has a really bad track record with them. And the old, "I love you, but I hate the sin in you" flies about as good as chikens do, as an attempt to bridge the huge gap that exists.
My point was this, as a Christian when I enter into relationship with an homosexual or lesbian person, knowing that I'm a Christian, they don't let it go too long before they force the issue and ask me where I stand. In many situations this conversation can be the end of the relationship. Because, as I mentioned, trying to get accross that we love them and not the sin, is to try and differentiate between two things that they don't see either as sin, or separate (who they are and their sexuality.) I've often struggled with these conversations, because I don't want that to be the point that would prematurely end a relationship, even though it's not really in my control.
Wendy a representative of "New Life Ministries", might have that name wrong, but anyway, Wendy made this point. One of the things that will take us farther in the relationship when that moment finally arrives, is to recognize that all of us are broken sexually. This is not just to ignore an issue or not to stand for something, on the contrary, recognizing that we are all broken, gives us the room to be able to express our position, recognize them and the relationship without establishing us vs. them and thereby making it very hard to remain in relationship.
And so, borrowing from Tim, we are all broken, some of us just hide it better than others. Or worse, sometimes we hide behind the lie that at least our brokeness is not as bad as theirs. Which always leads to self-righteousness. True community recognizes and seeks to redeem all brokeness. If we really want to help the broken, the place to start is with our own brokeness.
Posted by edGreat post - and very well put!!! Its true ... we need to open out church doors to sinners even of this nature. Jesus came while we were yet in our sins anyway ... sins in general - there aren't specifics mentioned at this point of scripture. Plus its our job to now "reconcile man to God" - men that don't yet know our wonderful Father in Heaven that wants us to be free from all this filthy sin or any kind. If the sinners can't come to us or of we are waiting for them to get all cleaned up to a certian degree before we are able to pour any sense of love out on them, then what else are they left to do? So its very true. I think sometimes churches want to protect their own people so much that it forgets the purpose of the church that's here ... to help the lost!! And the part about brokeness was prefectly put. Awesome!!!
Heather ~
ps. I miss you guys!!!! great to see that the both of you (and your family) are doing well!! :)
Posted by: Heather Carpenterhey ... just fyi my email is: h_carpenter_55@hotmail.com
OR i have a myspace account at: www.myspace.com/inky_pinky_ponky
i'd love to hear from the both of you!!
Heather ~
Posted by: Heather C.Great to hear from you heather. Wow! It's been so long. How are you? Drop me an e-mail (edefreitas@ourhangout.net), would love to know what you're up to these days.
In terms of the post...I think you hit the nail on the head, the real issue is that often churches wan to protect their own people so much that they forget why they exist.
Ie. Let's have a great youth group, as long as it doesn't draw the kind of kids that might influence our kids negatively.
Posted by: ed