Still Learning to Listen (3)

One conversation that many churches are having a difficult time having is a conversation with its LGBTQ neighbors and LGBTQ brothers and sisters in Christ, all of whom are surely our neighbors whom we are urged to listen to, seek to understand, and love. 

Although I have no illusions about how much we can do in one session, I'd like us to have a frank discussion in class with each other about this subject, but I'd like us to go about it a little differently than we might otherwise be inclined to. Perhaps one place to start would  be for us to listen to some of the voices of LGBTQ Christians, since they are often talked about, but much less often listened to.  And as some brain research suggests, even when we think we're listening and having a robust conversation, we're often engaged in something far less that leads us to talk past each other.

For this session, please begin your preparation for our large group discussion by watching the short video made by pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber in which she invites LGBTQ members of her church to talk briefly about why they are Christians and why they are not "an issue."

Next, please watch this 17-minute video which offers us an opportunity to listen to several young gay Christian men talk about their struggles with the church and being a Christian..

Since some of us have never had a lengthy conversation with a gay brother or sister in Christ and listened carefully to their story of discovery, their wrestling with being gay and Christian, their sorting through various scripture passages and the like, please read Justin Lee's extended answers to questions asked of him by other Christians who are seeking to better understand their gay Christian neighbors.

Finally, as a way of reminding us once more that what we are talking about here are real people, read this article about an evangelical Christian theologian and his son who have had a long and difficult journey together as the father tries to understand and come to terms with his gay son.  They still don't agree on many matters, but they have written a book together that models respect and reconciliation.

Come prepared for large group discussion where we will focus on how Christians might learn first to listen to our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and their stories rather than making them merely "an issue" and an object of discussion. Our goal on that day will not be to change anyone's mind, but to see if we can model genuinely hearing and understanding each other. That will be more than enough for one day!

For your journal, please reflect on the above material in light of your own experience.  Where are the places you have clarity?  confusion?  tension?