DISQUS

From talking about BA with Ron and Justin, it seemed like the organization was designed as a form of sustained dialogue between Christians with ssa who had come to different theological positions regarding their sexuality. It was a safe place for someone like you to dialogue with a totally gay-affirming Christian like Justin or a celibate (but still identifying as gay) Christian like Ron. I think there is value there and I enjoy my friendships with my gay and lesbian Christian friends and the conversations that happen about sexuality and faith. I may be wrong on this perception of BA and please correct me if that is the case.

Yet, when I hear the words 'bridge' and 'divide' today in the context of the Church and homosexuality, I think of it as more of a evangelistic outreach to a population of people who have either never been churched or have been burned badly by the church. This is why The Marin Foundation has found much success (its book 'Love is an Orientation' is a must read). Ministries like Exodus have a specific and valuable niche in that they help believing Christians with ssa live out their lives according to their values. However, Exodus has little opportunity to minister to a secular gay person -especially since it has allowed its public image (even in Christian circles) to be dominated by two polarizing issues: orientation change and socially conservative culture war politics. (Granted, I don't necessarily think its fair that Exodus has been reduced to these two areas, but I do find that reputation to be an accurate one.)

On the other hand, the message of The Marin Foundation may be a bit confusing to the kid from a Christian family trying to deal with his ssa (a kid perfectly suited to Exodus, mind you) but is exactly what the gay community needs to hear -that God loves them and that his people will walk alongside them without condition; that God is much more concerned about individual people than he is about silly marriage amendments and that the good news of Christ is about so much more than sexuality.

So while I like your river analogy I think it works best in the context of friendships and other informal relationships. I know it works that way in mine. When it comes to the huge divide between the church and the gay community, however, I think more intentional forms of outreach are in order. I think this metaphorical 'divide' is getting bigger and the onus is on the Church to put down its proverbial "stones" and actually engage relationally with the LGBT community.

I think that article is pretty right on. It reminds me of a headline from The Onion a few years ago that read something like "Gay Pride Parade Reinforces Gay Stereotypes"
I think I'll go on a solo camping trip during this years' Pride -get out of town and clear my head.
<abbr>Ps last blog post..High Heels and Hard Liquor on ... http://www.fromtheperspectiveofp.blogspot.com</...>

I think that article is pretty right on. It reminds me of a headline from The Onion a few years ago that read something like "Gay Pride Parade Reinforces Gay Stereotypes"

I think I'll go on a solo camping trip during this years' Pride -get out of town and clear my head.

<abbr>Ps last blog post..High Heels and Hard Liquor on ... http://www.fromtheperspectiveofp.blogspot.com</...>

Hmmm.... I prefer the axiom "there are no stupid questions, just stupid people." I hope I'm not in the same auto insurance pool as this guy.
<abbr>Ps last blog post..High Heels and Hard Liquor on ... www.fromtheperspectiveofp.blogspot.com</abbr>

Hmmm.... I prefer the axiom "there are no stupid questions, just stupid people." I hope I'm not in the same auto insurance pool as this guy.

<abbr>Ps last blog post..High Heels and Hard Liquor on ... www.fromtheperspectiveofp.blogspot.com</abbr>