The word of the meeting spread quickly. There was some of the usual hate mail by people who were too frightened to sign their name but there were also some very poignant phone calls. Several people called and said that they had always been afraid to talk about it but that one of the members of their family was gay as well. Others talked about friends who were gay and about their confusion as to how to respond.
After about two weeks some members of the board called and confessed that they were ashamed of their own behavior during the meeting and asked for forgiveness. Howard and Lisa began to realize that by their willingness to speak up they were slowly releasing others from a prison of fear that had entrapped them.
Someone expressed the fear that Howard and Lisa would leave the church after the way they were treated in the board meeting. Howard was quick to respond. “That passage from Romans about not judging lest you be judged continues to live with me. If I left the church, it would be like I was judging them. I don’t have a right to judge them anymore than they have a right to judge me. We all are in need of forgiveness.
“What Lisa and I will continue to do is to listen for how Christ addresses us in this congregation. This is the church to which Christ has called us. This is the community of faith in which he has spoken to us.” And so they stayed.
Eventually a small group of people asked if Howard and Lisa would lead a Bible study on sexuality in their home. Some of the very board members who had treated them poorly asked if they could come. “If you come to listen to Christ in our midst, you are welcome,” said Lisa.
Later they would give thanks to Christ that he had called them to ministry. Someone asked him later why they had stayed and Howard responded, “One night when I was feeling pretty low about the church, I came across a passage where Jesus said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ I figured that that meant that our church was a pretty good place to be with Jesus. I certainly knew that I was in need of a physician and I have to admit that I felt there were many others here that could use one too.”
There is not experience in the Body of Christ in which Christ cannot speak to you if you are willing to listen.
Comment on Howard and Lisa June 26-30 08
A little different perspective on questions raised in the story of Howard and Lisa from a 70 year old ,who raises livestock for a vocation.
The first gays [if this is the term of choice] I new, lived just east of my grandparents and went to our Church. I remember asking my Mother about their obvious role reversal. Her answer was it looks like it works for them, the hole family seems happy. I don’t remember the subject ever coming up again, I suppose because their reverse household had nothing to do with how we kids got along. 65 years later I lose patience with both sides. The, in your face attitude, it is my sin and I an proud of it and if you don’t share their feelings they have many pet names for you.
The other side doesn’t have clean hands either. When did being gay become the unforgivable sin? Before they quote 1 Cor. 5:9-13, I wish they would read Matt.7:3.
As far as my experience with livestock, all animals will become gay if enough social pressure is applied. Case in point males in prison.
The Black Sheep