A Lunch and a Sign

I want to now talk about a lunch I had two days ago in combination with something I saw yesterday.

We had no previously-paid-for lunch, so we walked to Johnny Rockets and, as usual, had some other people tag along. This time, it was two representatives from the Covenant Network.
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians was that first dinner that I missed out on for a YAD event. It is an organization in support of the inclusion of homosexuals into the church community.

Just typing that sentence makes me think:
"Inclusion."
"Church community."
Why are those words sometimes mutually exclusive to each other?

So at Johnny Rocket's, I sat across from Brian. Brian is in seminary and is homosexual. (He also has a nice smile, wears cool clothes, and he likes Apple--there are many things to learn about Brian.)

To me as I learn about these issues, the issue of the “inclusion of homosexuals into the community” has been a no-brainer.
I’ve heard the argument against their membership. I understand that when a person becomes a member of the church PC(USA), they make a commitment to at least try to live a life following the footsteps of Christ. So, logistically, someone “planning to live a lifestyle of sin” would not fulfill that requirement.

So what? We don’t let them in? If it is your belief that homosexuality is a sin, then where else but the church would you have these people be?

So for me, everyone. Every single person should have a place in the church. No questions. None. If Satan himself wanted to be a PC(USA) member, Jesus has made a place for him, why should we not?

That said. I have never given a clear answer to others of what I think about homosexual ordination--because I just don’t know.

I don’t know what I think the Bible says about homosexuals. I do know that it does say to love people. That’s usually my answer. But really? What do I think about it?

I think that we have pastors that are liars. Cheaters. Fakers. Judgers. Intimidators. Salesmen.

Should they be ordained?

I would say (very carefully), that we shouldn’t make the judgment exclusive, remember that we are all worthy of judgment from God, and rejoice in the call that so many loving individuals feel towards the ministry.

So, Brian. Brian answered all of our questions. He was so helpful and willing to indulge us. I’m sure some of the things we asked were ignorant, but Brian just smiled and said he would hear the question and answer if he wanted to.

Brian feels called to be a Minister of the Word and Sacrament. When he graduates soon, he doesn’t know whether or not he will be allowed to practice his call.

He talked of how some people will tell him, “Oh, well, you can still be in ministry, you just don’t need to be ordained.” But Brian feels called to be a Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Why can’t Brian follow his call? And who gave us the right to tell him he wasn't called by God?

When I talked to him, he reminded me of my favorite college student that we had in youth group when I was younger in the way that he took what we were saying seriously. I think he would be a great pastor.

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And now to what I saw yesterday. I was walking to P.F. Chang's to meet my friends for dinner and on the way there, I saw a man "preaching" to a small crowd. Beside him was a man holding a sign with various words like, DRUNKS, THIEVES, ADULTERERS, HOMOSEXUALS.

I put these in caps because that's how the words were displayed. Big. Confrontational. And followed by the word HELL.

As I walked passed them (numerous times, might I add, because I couldn’t find the restaurant), I tuned in to what I thought God was telling me to do. I finally decided that he had rejected my willing offer to run over, grab the sign, and run away with it, because “the preacher” had a t-shirt on with the same words, so it wouldn't have gotten rid of the message anyway.

One man had a sweatshirt on that had two words in caps: TURN and BURN. As I got closer I saw the words in between. It read: TURN to Jesus or BURN in Hell. (Cheerful bunch, yeah?)

As we walked back to the Convention Center, I was looking for the group and was unhappy to see that they had either relocated or sent “friends” to the entrance of the Convention Center.
Now, I’ll admit, I am one of the rebellious youth of the generation, so as we came to the Convention Center and had to cross the street, I...jaywalked. I know. Renegade.

As I was walking across the road, one of our new friends caught my eye and said, "Break man's law you get a ticket; break God's law you go to hell."
To which my response was, "not through Jesus."

I don't think he heard me, and it wouldn't have made much of a difference if he had, but seriously? Break God's law automatically means you go to hell? Geez, I was way off. I had this crazy idea of redemption mixed in there. I'm in trouble for sure.

As we continued to get closer to the Convention Center doors, we saw the That All May Freely Serve group standing, smiling, and holding a tray of cookies.

Hell vs. cookies.

I walked up to them and thanked them for being there out of love and one of them gave me a hug. One of my friends jokingly suggested that they give a cookie to the "friends" a few feet away. They told us that they had already tried and been rejected.

Our "friends'" reaction and action makes me mourn for the world. Why? How can someone use Jesus like that? Talk about using the Lord's name in vain.

Hell. Versus. Cookies.

Is there really a question of who we should be?

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So what do I think about homosexuals in the church?

I think some people are loving. I think others are not. I think Jesus wants some of the loving ones to be pastors, and the others to come to church.

I think Jesus loves everyone.

And I hope I can try to do that too.