I’m still processing what took place yesterday…

I hadn’t really heard much of the story before I began to notice the steady stream of status updates relating to a certain fast food chain.

At first I thought there was a big giveaway happening — but then I started to read the updates, and corresponding comments, a little more closely.

There it was — a culture war on religion, sexuality, and civil rights being played out by countless Americans — both online (through updates and comments — behind the safety and distance that a screen can provide) and in line (waiting for chicken).

And before long it struck me just how unproductive this day of protest/support was actually being. Best I could tell there was no one actually looking to come together for meaningful, generative — restorative — conversation.

Disqualified

As believers — and leaders who feel called by God to join with Him in His restorative work within His creation — we must be careful not to disqualify ourselves from important culture-shaping conversations like the one currently taking place around the issue of gay marriage.

Whether we’re for it, or against it, is beside the point — because if we conduct ourselves in such a way that eliminates us (or disqualifies us) for being a part of the conversation, well then, it won’t matter what we have to say, because no one will be listening.

The call that Jesus seems to place on those of us who choose to follow Him is simple in nature: love — above all else.

If we don’t love, we’ll likely be left out.

Part of the Solution

It has been suggested that issues and attitudes relating to students who identify as a part of the LGBTQ community are one of the biggest challenges between this current generation of students — and the older generations of Christians who lead them.

I’m challenged to consider, especially as students prepare to come back to campus, how we can best serve our students — especially those who have been repeatedly hurt by some who claim to love God.

College is an incredibly challenging season — one in which students are asking hundreds of questions relating to self.

SO…

> How can we work in ways that allow us to be a physical manifestation of the love of God, the truth of God, and the peace of God amidst the students we serve?

> And how can we challenge our students to engage their faith, and the issues that divide us as human beings, in ways that are civil, helpful, and open; without feeling like they have to forfeit their beliefs or core convictions?

What do you think?