Dear Caldwell,
Wonder why a growing segment of America, especially our rising generation, rejects the church today? Look no further than today’s headlines for yet another example of how some advance judgment and fear in the name of God’s love.
There is Franklin Graham in today’s Charlotte Observer, righteously defending why he sides with Russia’s strong-armed President Vladimir Putin and Putin’s campaign of oppression of gays and lesbians. This is the same Putin, that international champion of human rights, who just invaded and took over Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula because it was easy pickings while the world stood by in utter dismay.
Franklin Graham’s extreme positions are nothing new, though so many mourn what he is doing to his father’s legacy, all in the name of God. But what bothers me most is the code-talk used by him and those who support him.
Just as in the Civil Rights era, when segregationists tried to whitewash their hate with claims they were “protecting” vulnerable members of society by opposing equality for African-Americans, Franklin Graham and others are known to refer to the “gay and lesbian agenda.” They hint at unnamed but grave-sounding risks to children and flat out say that LGBT Americans are here to “recruit” unsuspecting kids and others to a “lifestyle.”
Franklin’s daddy used to preach at a Presbyterian church a couple of blocks away from Caldwell. I’d like to invite them both back to this neck of the woods so they might actually get to know some of the folks whom Franklin so dreadfully fears.
An LGBT agenda? Yes, I’ve seen it first-hand among the sisters and brothers who worship and serve God amidst the diversity of believers and seekers here. It is Christ’s agenda, to love our neighbors. It is to live with honesty and integrity as children of God and as God made them.
With the gay couples here, many of whom have been together for decades, the agenda seems to be to model the kind of monogamous fidelity that we see lacking in too many heterosexual marriages. With our LGBT singles, their agenda is to seek the face of God, despite suffering wounds from other churches, where they have been condemned by “the slings and arrows” of hatred of professing Christians who make judgment their business, not God’s.
But there is more to the “gay agenda,” at least as I see it here. It is to build bridges with people of all backgrounds and races, the kind of real relationships that undermine the convenience of fear-baiting and uninformed, arms-length demonization. It is to serve selflessly, responding whenever they are asked to be the hands and feet of Christ and giving generously of their time, talent and treasure to exhibit the Kingdom of God on earth as best they know how.
The “agenda” goes on to include extending compassion to others on the margins of society, particularly the poor, the homeless, the voiceless, the rejected, even those of means yet who do not know the love of God. Yes, all the same kinds of people Jesus reached.
In all these ways, the “gay agenda” as I see it here is to fit in alongside all kinds of other people of differing classes, races and backgrounds, to share the journey of faith and to take up the “dangerous” and subversive ways of “doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.”
So, my brother Franklin, when it comes the actual gay agenda, “fear not,” as scripture assures us over and over again, for God is with us and nothing can separate those who are in Christ Jesus from the love of God. This is the grace extended to us all on the cross we seek in this sacred season of Lent.
Special Guest Preacher Sunday
We’re blessed to welcome Caldwell friend Rev. Dr. Steve Shoemaker to our pulpit this Sunday. Steve is currently Visiting Theologian at Queens University and a Visiting Professor at JC Smith University. He is former Senior Minister of Myers Park Baptist Church, where his voice for truth and justice became well known in Charlotte. Steve will preach from Ezekiel 37: 1-14 and John 11: 17-27 and 32-35, 38-44.
For Your Prayers
With profound joy, I share the news that Dee Blackburn’s pathology report shows no malignancy! Following spinal surgery last week, she has been moved to Carolinas Rehabilitation hospital, next to Carolinas Medical Center. She is in room 2213 A West Wing. She and Betsy welcome visitors after 5 p.m.
Jackie Abernethy is still at Carolinas Medical and is slowly getting over an infection and intestinal issues. She welcomes visitors!
Please keep John Crowell in prayer as he prepares to travel to Bethesda, Md., for final assessment and preparation to treat a central tremor, that has made his life increasingly difficult. John has been chosen for a very rare but cutting-edge procedure and seeks our continued prayers for healing and peace.
The Gardner family continues to seek prayer for Jared’s family, which was involved in a home explosion in Arizona. In particular, we are praying for an infant facing surgery and a mother who underwent successful surgery yesterday after suffering burns over 95% of her body.
Also, Linda Sluder’s mother has fallen several times and is suffering from related issues. Meanwhile, Syd Howell’s father continues his recovery from triple bypass surgery.
All of these Caldwell family members are stronger for your prayers … and our God’s redeeming and ever-present love.
In Christ,
John