What a strange week I just had. On Tuesday evening I had a great time of prayer and worship with the Sr. High kiddo's. On Wednesday I met with the Jr. High kids which was alot of fun, but it did have a wierd twist.
Every so often I like to allow the students to ask me any question they would like. I know this is risky because the students could, and often do, ask some very tough questions. But, this allows me to be as transparent with the teens and helps them to ask questions. This is particularly tricky with Jr. Higher's because you never can figure out what is going on in their minds.
This past Wednesday I got a large amount of homosexual questions. It's not that abnormal to get a question or two from time to time about homosexuality, but this past week I had at least five questions. Some of this has to do with the pack mentality of Jr. Higher's, but nonetheless they asked, so I answered.
When it comes down to it homosexuality is not that different from other sexual issues. Matter of fact I would contend that internet pornography is just as or more of a threat to a godly life. I know that might cause some church goers to question me, but do you remeber who Jesus hung around with; tax collectors, prostitutes, the lame, the sick, etc. Matter of fact when the so called "churchy people" questioned Jesus about the people he hung around with He told them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12)
Why is it that the church is more disturbed with homosexuality than divorce or alcoholism? Is it because we feel we understand divorce and alchoholism better, or the fact that they are more socially acceptable? This might make us uncomfortable, but we do need to see how Jesus dealt with tough issues. He never once pushed people away or made them feel unapprochable. He went to them and showed compassion, gentleness and truth. The only people Jesus spoke harshly to were the "religious"or "churchy people".
So, back to the Wednesday night questions about homosexuality. I answered them, but then I did try to make it clear that it doesn't matter if your black, white, purple, green, gay, straight or anything in between, you will be welcome in this youth group. What is not welcome is hatred, bigotry or judgemental attitudes.
This leads me to another thought, are we hanging out with the type of people Jesus did? If Jesus were walking across America today, he would find a way to hang out with the homeless, gays, the party'ers, and anyone else who we as the church tend to look down at. What am I doing to cultivate these types of relationships? At the moment not too much. Don't get me wrong we need our Christian friends and mentors, but are we to the point of isolating ourselves from those who Jesus came to minister to.
That is enough for now. Continue to seek God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.
In peace,
Pastor Scott
