Q. LGBTs are children of God=no rights, rites, or substantive membership in the club. Why join a club that doesn't want you?
A. That makes perfect sense if you are joining to be served, as one would expect to be at a club. However, the church is not a club, but the Body of Christ. In it we are called not to be served, but to serve. We do not come at the bidding of those momentarily in charge, but at the invitation of the Lord of the feast. If we don't show up, the church won't be the church.
If you want to be served and to be respected by the Church, shop around and find a denomination and a congregation that is farthest along in doing that. Rejoice when you do. And give thanks to those who came before you and worked to make it a safe and nurturing space; rest assured, not one church has always been so. Once there, devote your full energy to make it safe for those not yet welcome; look around you and you will discern who is missing. Go out and find them. Risk giving up your own welcome to make them welcome.
Or if called, find the church that doesn't welcome you. Bring the sacrificial love of Christ to them, not to receive God's blessing, but because you already have it. Speak that truth to them in season and out of season as you make your gifts available to serve among them. I assure you that your cruet will never run dry, that you can never give as much as you will receive, try though you must. Love your enemies. Do good to those who abuse you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for your faith's sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.
The Lord is risen indeed, hallelujah!
Lutibelle/Louie
No comments:
Post a Comment