My mistake for putting two points into one post, and making the one I didn’t intend the juicy one.
Asking plainly, is there any good reason not to plant a church with a definite lifespan, or an indefinite but possibly short life?
Forever congregation? Try 2
Hi Pastor Scott,
I THINK you commented on my blog today (from “boyinthebands”), and I really wanted to offer a response. I posted it on my site as well, but in case you don’t visit again…
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Thanks for your visit and comments. Actually, a gay friend of mine (non-Christian) had very similar things to say to me.
He said it felt like I was looking at human beings “in a petri dish…” a little too condescending for his taste, which was not at all my intention.
I think it’s important to contextualize the article for my intended audience – that is, those who at this point could not even manage being in the same room with a homosexual. Or, would not know how to make the church welcoming in any way.
Not the right audience for theOOZE? I’m not so sure, as I’ve run into many funamentalists there (to their credit, at least they’re listening).
You’re definitely right about the “otherness” I speak with, and I apologize – personally – for that. It’s hard, coming out of the conservative churchy background, to know how to “appropriately” approach this issue.
As I said, I don’t even feel the need, personally, to broach the issue of whether it’s sin or not. That’s not because it’s not an important question to ask (as I’m sure it is especially vital for you) but because most or many Christians aren’t ready for that. I’d first like to talk about human beings (again, I may have sounded condescending, which was unintended).
Finally, in “starting where they are,” as you said, I think different environments and different situations call for different tactics and mindsets. I don’t think a sexually charged “club” is good for anyone, and the atmosphere inside certainly was as I described it. At least, to my perception. I spend time with several gay men, and do not consider them to be refugees… this club gave off a certain atmosphere that seemed undeniable.
In any case, please forgive any arrogance or condescension I may have intoned. This is new territory for a lot of us, and your comments and worldview are very helpful as we try to wrap our brains (or hearts, rather) around this giant ghettoized issue.
Blessings,
Peter
P.S. I LIKE the idea of planting a church with an intended end or lifespan in site. Kind of like a job “to be completed.” A sense of accomplishment at the end.
Some churches live FAR beyond their value.