How Should we interact with the LGBTQ+ Community?

In our ongoing series, "Burning Questions," we address some of the most pressing and controversial topics within our faith community. This week, we grapple with a question that deeply affects many: "How Should Christians Interact With The LGBTQ+ Community?" This inquiry challenges us to navigate a delicate balance between adhering to Biblical truths and expressing Christ-like love.

The Challenge of Balance
This question presents a significant challenge. If we strictly embrace a conservative stance, we risk losing compassion, gentleness, and Biblical love. Conversely, adopting a modern perspective might lead us to compromise God's Word and the sanctity of His design for marriage and sexuality. The crux of our challenge is to answer without leaning too far in either direction—avoiding unloving truth on one side and truthless love on the other.

To navigate this, we turn to Ephesians 4:14-16, where the Apostle Paul encourages us to "speak the truth in love." This is a mature, emotionally healthy step for followers of Jesus. Many of us, due to our upbringing and personalities, naturally lean towards either truth or love, often neglecting the full Biblical narrative. Paul admonishes us to grow out of immature behaviors and be grounded in the truth of Christ, who is the head of the church.

Speaking Truth in Love
Learning to speak the truth in love is challenging, especially in a world that often dismisses such efforts as archaic or judgmental. Yet, we are called to do so for the spiritual welfare of others, not as a suggestion, but as a command. Fear often hinders us—fear of losing friendships, fear of rejection, and fear of not knowing what to say. However, with prayer, preparation, and growth in Christ, we can overcome these fears and fulfill our calling.

The Necessity of Understanding
Why is it so important to find this balance? Statistics show a significant increase in the number of young people identifying as LGBTQ+. With each generation, these numbers double, indicating a need for the church to adapt its approach. The old methods of condemning and shaming are no longer effective and often drive people away from the church and the Bible.

To address this issue, we must quit throwing "Biblical bombs" and instead, seek a balance of truth and love. This requires homework—deepening our understanding of Scripture and the issues at hand. It also means addressing our own sexual sins and hypocrisies. Jesus taught that before we point out the splinter in another's eye, we must deal with the log in our own.

A Call to Action
We need to honor and respect everyone, recognizing their intrinsic value as God's creations. Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Jesus interacted with societal outcasts with honor, respect, and a call to repentance. Similarly, our jokes and derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ individuals must cease. Instead, we should move towards them with kindness, grace, and a listening ear, understanding their stories just as we do for those struggling with other issues.

Conclusion
Our goal is to firmly hold onto God's design for marriage and sexuality without compromising an inch to cultural pressures. At the same time, we strive to be a church where anyone, including LGBTQ+ individuals, can experience Jesus Christ and choose to follow Him. This involves wrestling with what it means to surrender our lives and our sexuality to Jesus's leadership.

We encourage everyone to do their homework, understand God's Word fully, and get their own lives right with Jesus regarding their sexuality. We also need to examine our hearts and ask Jesus to help us honor, respect, and love the sinners around us. Let's lean in with love first and pray for opportunities to speak truth with tact and grace.

- Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 6/30/24.