This is something I believe many Christians do not ask nor do many churches want to talk about other than to give an easy statement that "Homosexuality is a sin" and freely proclaimed that "God loves the sinner but hates the sin". But let's face the facts - most churches and Christians are ill-equipped to engage and help our homosexual friends through their faith journey. Okay, maybe that sounded too mechanical as if to convey that the heterosexuals are alright and the homosexuals are not and therefore the heterosexuals must do something to help the homosexuals. How about saying that most churches and Christians are prejudiced and suspicious of homosexuals? And to add to the list, they are ignorant as well.
I'm not a liberal nor a saint. All I am saying is that, we(the Christian community at large-the Church) who claimed to be Jesus' disciples are NOT listening (at least most of us are not) to Christian homosexuals with a spirit of patience, compassion, prayer and much needed wisdom. Is there such a thing(i.e. a Christian who is a homosexual) you asked? Yes, there is - in Singapore, as well as in the world. (the term "Christian" denotes anyone who believes Jesus as their Lord and Saviour) Whether you agree there is such a thing as a "Christian homosexual" is another thing. The fact is, they(Christians with a different sexual orientation and lifestyle) exist.
How do we view them? Have we tried to understand them? Are we willing to walk through their struggles in life? Is it possible to reconcile their faith and sexuality? What if they could not change their sexual orientation? I wonder if we have ever asked ourselves such questions, and reflect in light of Scriptures and other resources which may shed some light to these questions.
I'm not going into a research or debate on this. But if you happened to be a Christian or church leader reading this, I think it's high time God's community (His church) learn how to engage "different" people in the proper manner.
For more information,
1. Is the Homosexual my Neighbour? (Tony Campolo and his wife shares their different opinion on homosexuality. Audio files available here)
2. The Great Debate - are homosexual relationships sinful? (Read 2 different views from 2 homosexuals who believe in Jesus. One said yes to the question, one said no)
3. Exodus International: FAQ on homosexuality (Exodus is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization promoting the message of Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ)
4. What is the definition of change? (Some definition by ex-gay movements of what it means when one said that a homosexual has changed)
5. Examining the Scientific Evidence for Homosexuality by Dr John Tay, Professor and Head of Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore (1973-1995) and Head of the Division of Human Genetics in Singapore.
6. Google, search the library and get to know your friends who are homosexuals. That'll help.
Perhaps I'll end with a cliche: WWJD - What Will Jesus Do?
Go figure it.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
Faithfulness is a Lifelong Journey. It doesn't stop.
Today's address by Dr Maak Hay Chun, who have served the Lord for over 60 years in missions and church planting, theological education and pastoral ministry, CCCOWE and other ministries, left a deep impression on me.
He admitted his health is not as good, his eyesight is failing and he wasn't as mobile as he would like to be. But when he speaks, my goodness, it didn't really matter that he couldn't see well anymore or that he has just turned 80; his words are alive, and he is still actively serving the Lord.
Faithfulness.
Faithfulness is when you receive your doctorate in Theology at age 81. That is Singapore Bible College's first principal, the late Rev.Dr.Moses Yu. Faithful in learning until the end.
Faithfulness is when you keep going, keep thinking and keep dreaming at age 82. "We would have heard him speak on any issue, but when he had been introduced Dr. Winter said, “If you have a burning question, I’d like to hear it; I may not be able to help, but I like to work on burning questions." Some people see things as they are and ask, “Why?”; Dr. Winter dreamed things that never were and said, “Why not?” That is the late Dr.Ralph Winter. Faithful in engaging until the end.
Faithfulness is when you keep working for His kingdom sake, never despising your age and lack of ability. We have no ability anyway, apart from what He had given us and using those abilities through His empowerment to carry out His task.
"Dr.Ralph Winter elaborated that if a person begins his ministry at the age of 30 and lives to the age of 90 he is only half through at the age of 60. He pointed out that some of the most significant work accomplished in ministry and in the secular world is accomplished by persons in their seventies and beyond. Dr. Donald McGavran, at the age of 80 with the Church Growth Movement, is an example."
Faithful in serving until the end.
Faithfulness is a lifelong journey. A journey until we see the Lord again and hear His joyous words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." Let's keep walking, even as age catches up. Amen.
Quotes and information from:
Rev.Dr. Moses Yu - http://www.gospelherald.net/article/ministries/46208/chinese-evangelist-rev-moses-yu-died-at-91.htm
Dr.Ralph Winter - http://www.missionfrontiers.org/pdf/2009/03/34-49%20Various%20Tributes.pdf (p39)
Dr.Donald McGravan - http://www.missionfrontiers.org/pdf/2009/03/34-49%20Various%20Tributes.pdf (p44)
He admitted his health is not as good, his eyesight is failing and he wasn't as mobile as he would like to be. But when he speaks, my goodness, it didn't really matter that he couldn't see well anymore or that he has just turned 80; his words are alive, and he is still actively serving the Lord.
Faithfulness.
Faithfulness is when you receive your doctorate in Theology at age 81. That is Singapore Bible College's first principal, the late Rev.Dr.Moses Yu. Faithful in learning until the end.
Faithfulness is when you keep going, keep thinking and keep dreaming at age 82. "We would have heard him speak on any issue, but when he had been introduced Dr. Winter said, “If you have a burning question, I’d like to hear it; I may not be able to help, but I like to work on burning questions." Some people see things as they are and ask, “Why?”; Dr. Winter dreamed things that never were and said, “Why not?” That is the late Dr.Ralph Winter. Faithful in engaging until the end.
Faithfulness is when you keep working for His kingdom sake, never despising your age and lack of ability. We have no ability anyway, apart from what He had given us and using those abilities through His empowerment to carry out His task.
"Dr.Ralph Winter elaborated that if a person begins his ministry at the age of 30 and lives to the age of 90 he is only half through at the age of 60. He pointed out that some of the most significant work accomplished in ministry and in the secular world is accomplished by persons in their seventies and beyond. Dr. Donald McGavran, at the age of 80 with the Church Growth Movement, is an example."
Faithful in serving until the end.
Faithfulness is a lifelong journey. A journey until we see the Lord again and hear His joyous words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." Let's keep walking, even as age catches up. Amen.
Quotes and information from:
Rev.Dr. Moses Yu - http://www.gospelherald.net/article/ministries/46208/chinese-evangelist-rev-moses-yu-died-at-91.htm
Dr.Ralph Winter - http://www.missionfrontiers.org/pdf/2009/03/34-49%20Various%20Tributes.pdf (p39)
Dr.Donald McGravan - http://www.missionfrontiers.org/pdf/2009/03/34-49%20Various%20Tributes.pdf (p44)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
