...a response to the response so often received...

This post is somewhat reactionary to an article I read earlier about Bruce Jenner.  I actually liked the article and agreed with most of the author's views.  What I didn't like was the reaction in the comment section. (disclaimer - I know if I take time to proof-read and edit this I will end up not ever posting it for fear of people disagreeing with me, as i have multiple posts that have never been published, so forgive any editorial mistakes or over-stated sentences.)

Those who disagree with a Christian worldview often quote scripture in their defense.  Why?  If you don't believe in the scripture why quote it to defend your point of view? Because maybe by discrediting the Christian you might be able to rationalize your actions... ?

But really, whenever someone calls sin "sin," they are accused of judging, and we all know "do not judge."  Christians are reminded that "Christians are supposed to love and accept everyone" and "are not supposed to judge" and "hurting people is wrong."  Well, yes, in  sense, this is true.  Just a few of my thoughts:

1. "Christians are called to love people".  Loving people and "accepting" them is not the same as condoning all of their actions.  I love my kids but that doesn't mean I just let them do whatever they want and never tell them that they are wrong.  It is, however, out of love that I correct my kids, wanting the very best for them.  I love students in my youth group, and I accept them for who they are, but that doesn't mean I can't tell them when they make dumb decisions.  It is out of love that I tell them.  My dad has a completely different worldview than I do, the fact that we don't see eye-to-eye doesn't change my love for him.  Yes, I think he is living in sin. And yes, I still love him.  Naming sin is not the same as passing judgment.  Not the same as hating.  It is not mutually exclusive with love or acceptance.

2. "God loves and accepts everyone the way they are."  Yes, Jesus invites ALL. Jesus died for all. God loves the world.  And yes, Jesus accepts all.  The thing about the love of God, however, is that it does not leave you unchanged.  You cannot encounter God without being changed.  While God's love for you does not change based on how "good" or "bad" you are, God's love does change you.  God loves us so much that he does not leave us the way we are.  This is GOOD news! He loves us the way we are, and loves us too much to leave us that way.

3. Do we forget about Jesus?  As Christians, when we speak to issues in society, sometimes I think we get too caught up in discussion around particular issues and we forget to really talk about Jesus.  Jesus is the Truth and the Life.  Jesus is the one who gives hope.  Jesus is the one who transforms. The one who saves.  Yeah, it probably sounds cheesy. and no, people probably don't want to hear it.  What are we really shedding light on a subject simply by sharing our "righteous opinions?"  We may be well meaning, and we may be speaking about the truth, but unless we talk about Jesus we aren't really speaking truth.  There is much value in dialogue (if it can be reasonable). There is value in sociological statistics, in reason, in life experience. The most important thing Christians can contribute to the conversation is to talk about the true solution to the problem of sin - Jesus. 

a new type of "concerned" Nazarene

I have recently seen many people using the word "concerned" across social media in speaking of the Church of the Nazarene. This, no doubt, has different connotation than the group known as "concerned Nazarenes" (not to be dealt with here).

 This "concern" is a response to a number of situations across the denomination, including NPH, MNU, and most recently, NNU. I have recently read many posts, comments, discussions, blogs, and open letters. One of my favorites regarding this "concern" can be found HERE, unless you already read it from the link on my Facebook.

What I like about this open letter is not that I necessarily agree with everything, but that, for the most part, he is not accusatory or pointing fingers.  There are no personal attacks.  He comes across stronger than I would, but there is a good point being made.

Admitting that we don't have all of the information, and people are for the most part ignorant of what really happened, a message is being heard.  It would be good to see some transparency.

Whether these people are actually being silenced or not doesn't matter to most, because the perception is that they are indeed being cut off. Whether or not the message is being sent, the message is being heard, "there is not much room in the Church of the Nazarene."


Regarding this situation, I have a few thoughts and questions.
1. Is this really as big of a deal as it seems right now? Or will it all blow over in a matter of time?  Are some people just jumping on the bandwagon because they like to "stick it to the institution?"

2. Is it possible that the lack of explanation from these institutions is actually a move of grace?  Could there be more to these stories than we know, and grace is actually being shown by not sharing the details?

3. Where are we headed as a denomination? Is the "big tent" that was present in our early years still present today -  Unity in essentials, in all else, harmony...?

4. I am, and will remain, faithful to the Church of the Nazarene.  That does not mean I will not ask the tough questions.  But I will not make unfounded criticisms or accusations.  There are definitely questions that need to be answered in the near future. There is definitely a need to strengthen our identity as the Church of the Nazarene.  I am not saying we have lost our way, just that there are many Nazarenes who don't know who we are anymore.

Something stirring...

Something has been stirring inside of me for the past few weeks.  I'm not sure what it is. I can best express it as a series of questions, and I'm not sure about the answers... all I know is that I feel compelled to write, to share my thoughts and opinions, contribute to some of the conversations going on in this world. Just by admitting this, I already begin to answer some of these questions.

Why do I never share my thoughts on issues? Political, social, current events, or anything?  Why do I share articles on FB and rarely comment on any or give a caption to the ones that I share?  

Am I afraid to put my thoughts out there? Am I afraid of what people might think? Am I afraid of offending? Of putting off? Of being pigeon-holed or stereo-typed? Afraid of criticism? 

Or am I just afraid that I'll turn out ignorant in conversation? Have nothing worth saying?

Is my desire to share my thoughts motivated by self-promotion? Arrogance?

I am reminded of two scriptures:

Luke 6:26 - Woe to you when all men speak well of you...

And Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

But that doesn't mean I put stuff out there just to be criticized (duh).  And I need to always ask myself questions about what motivates me - a need to be heard? arrogance? self-promotion? OR to be the "light of the world" and "salt of the earth" (Mt 5:13-16), to proclaim truth and justice, and just being obedient to the Spirit.

So I think, in this moment, I am making 2 resolutions:

1. Quit living in ignorance and become aware of what is going on in the world, country, and community.  Become knowledgeable.  Learn both sides of issues.

2. Don't be afraid to use that knowledge and insight in conversation.  Listen to the Spirit in seeking ways to get involved in constructive dialogue.  If I believe that there is truth to be told, don't be afraid to tell it, always in love.