First of all, I have to tell you that I am very reluctant to ponder anything on this topic because it seems to be quite the hot button topic, and as of late many harsh things have been said from various perspectives. I offer you this pondering as simply an objective observer and I will do my very best to present both sides of the conversation. My approach to this pondering has, and always will be with grace and love…okay, here goes:
Recently on social media, The Salvation Army in Metro Chicago (in conjunction with CFOT) posted photos of Salvationists serving refreshments to people while they participated in the gay pride parade in the Wrigleyville/Boystown area of Chicago.
The Facts…
What began 15 years ago as a means to offer kindness and grace to pride participants, has in some ways become quite a polarizing topic. The location of the College for Officers Training in Chicago is directly in a predominantly gay and alternative lifestyle community. Thus, this is the neighborhood Cadets and members of the CFOT staff do evangelism within. Sadly though, on social media conversation threads, individuals have criticized and questioned the motives of those who distributed the water and cookies. Some have asked, “Does serving these items mean that The Salvation Army is now condoning or accepting these alternative lifestyles?” While others who are on the other end of the ideological range are simply flabbergasted by harsh comments and the overall sense of harsh criticism.
Questions to Ponder…
Does this type of event, which offers water and cookies, condone alternative lifestyles or is this simply an act of kindness and grace? Is this, as some have angrily inferred, just another way for progressives to push this agenda of acceptance, or are we in need of more of these intentional, public acts of kindness to ALL people from ALL walks of life?
The Murky Waters…
The current position of The Salvation Army on the topic of Same-sex attraction and/or marriage is fairly common, but in a number of places in the Army the views on LGBT seems to be a murky water of ambiguity and inconsistency.
My Take…
We must be very careful not to become finger pointers and look down our noses like the Pharisees did in Jesus’ day. They (the Pharisees) even witnessed Jesus’ disciples picking grain on Sabbath and about lost their ever-lovin’ minds. The key, before any kind of discerning thought of judgement should be to soberly consider the state of our own hearts first.
Secondly, I think we as a Church (or Movement) can be so quick to criticize without first trying to understand and ask the important questions. We are far too quick to jump to conclusions and slow to consider what we might do in our own communities to provide such acts of kindness to the whosoever.
Lastly, how do we convey the grace of God to those we meet? Are we to throw our bibles at people who do not live as we do by quoting scripture AT them? Or do we show compassion, hope and grace to anyone who is willing to receive it? Is there an intersecting line here that cannot be crossed? Where does compassion and acts of kindness end and acceptance of lifestyle begin? Is there a place when we might become stronger together instead of divided (division is perhaps what Satan would love to see in our Army)? If so, how do we get to this point of unity within our courageous acts of compassion?
Conversely, how do we approach family?
By this I mean – I know Officers in The Salvation Army who have children who are either gay or in an alternative lifestyle. How do we approach family in this context? We (as people) can be so quick to assume that this subject is black and white, but it is much more complicated than that! How we convey compassion and grace has to be wisely consider for fear of alienating our families and loved ones.
I know that this topic is a rather complicated and sensitive one, and can cause polarizing opinions and often brings out the worst in people, but please do not use this pondering as fodder for your case. Our army is much broader than any one person’s view, opinion or agenda. But here’s my take – Let’s err on the side of grace and compassion and leave the judgement to the One who will eventually judge us all. Let’s support one another’s ministries including ministries into alternative lifestyle neighborhoods. Let’s offer support to officers and staff who strive to live out the “without discrimination” from our mission statement. Let us strive to live out holiness in how we love and serve in our neighborhoods and mission fields. From this place, the Lord can and will impart His wisdom and guidance.
-Something more for our Army to ponder today.
In the midst of the frustration and worry, I had to take a step back. I had gotten so close to the problem that I couldn’t see the broader perspective or possible solutions. I think we’re all like that – we stand too closely to the problem, when problems arise. We try to micromanage situations and problem-solve and trouble-shoot and sometimes we are successful, but other times we become overwhelmed by the insurmountable tasks ahead of us. So we put our heads down, we plod on through trying to take on the world and address all of our problems and stressors, all the while we are so close to the problem(s) that we have lost the forest for the bark of one tree. 
“Dear Salvation Army” (How fitting I thought). First she expressed deep gratitude for us being there for her even when she was hurting herself with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. She was a meth addict and because of her addiction she committed some crimes and ended up being incarcerated. She continued to describe her dire situation of homelessness and utter hopelessness. She was more imprisoned outside on her own then she is now. Her letter ended with these words: “Because of your soup kitchen, food pantry and your clothing donations, I was able to survive. Your church gave me life everyday – Thank you for showing me, loving me, and sharing with me the love of Jesus Christ.”
I cannot stress how important it is for leaders of all positions to listen to those who are actively engaged on the ground in the fight!
We cannot afford to have polarizing visions when we should all be seeking to remain mission minded and focused. There’s no time for that! Leaders who listen and then lead have a better chance at successfully navigating and accomplishing their objectives in mission! If leaders only dictate from their offices that are tucked away from mission we will fail because administration can only meet mission when it has its ear to the ground and a heart to serve in the capacity of servant-leader. Enough with the old guard of “my way or the highway” brass! Yes be strict on mission-mindedness but compassionate on leading and shepherding! Be a shepherd first and listen!
I think sometimes what keeps us in our bubbles is the fear of what leadership might do if we try new things that don’t necessarily “look Army”. Is there fear of reprisal and punishment for not maintaining the status quo? Perhaps it’s time to pop the bubble!
Sometimes we don’t get a choice with which giants we have to face. We have to press onward and actually face them, because if we don’t they won’t just go away and we will be powerless and frozen in our fears. Facing the giants also means reliance on a strength that isn’t our own. God will provide you the strength that you need, but it also requires us to admit that we need help and that we cannot do it on our own. When we let go of this nothing of going it alone, we are freed from the shackles of self-doubt and self-reliance.
While I was tending to this little cut that had become something more, it got me thinking that this is just like hurt and grudges. At the beginning when the wound is inflicted, it doesn’t seem like much. Sure, you feel hurt or wounded by words that were said to you, or things someone has done to you, but you “toughen up” and fight back. At least that’s how I work. I hit back. I respond, sometimes even lashing out. -It’s just a little cut.- But, maybe a few days later, or months later, you discover that this little cut has become a bigger issue that you originally thought. It has festered and become swollen, so much so that it has infected your heart and how you think about THAT person or group. Finally, you have a decision to make…will you allow this wound to continue to fester and eventually poison your whole body (spirit and soul too)? Or will you drain the wound and put ointment on it so that you can heal and move on…and not just live, but thrive?
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we have to drain the wounds in our lives in order for us to become fully like Christ in every way, shape and form. We can declare that we want to be holy, and that we want to be the very image of Christ in our world, but it is only lip service if we haven’t dealt with these infected wounds in our lives. For some of us, these wounds run more deeply than we realize…and we need the Holy Spirit to help us sterilize and heal them. It may take us time to heal, but we must make this a priority in order for us to grow into this grace and knowledge of Christ.
This isn’t an easy road. There will be sacrifices along the way, but know that when you commit to him, be faithful to that…don’t have an exit strategy in case it doesn’t work out. It’s either all in or nothing at all. There can be no middle ground, and half-hearted attempts at an obedience relationship to Christ. Are you prepared for such a radical relationship? Are you prepared to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow him?
Pastor's Ponderings 