The question I\u2019ve been asked most frequently by people outside Faith Church since the Supreme Court\u2019s legalization of gay marriage is what an organization like us plans to do now.<\/p>\n
I find that surprising because responding to decisions about how other people choose to live is at best the 88th<\/sup> note on our piano.\u00a0 We\u2019re not political junkies, culture warriors, or media pundits because such activities are far afield from our God-given mission.\u00a0 The simple answer to the question is that we intend to do the same things we\u2019ve been doing since we were founded by a small group of followers of Jesus on South 18th<\/sup> Street fifty years ago.<\/p>\n The Christian life is a joyful celebration of our risen Savior who died on the cross of Calvary to free us from the penalty, power, and someday even the presence of sin.\u00a0 Since repenting and placing our faith in Christ, we are now in the delightful process of spiritual growth.\u00a0 We want to love God and seek biblical truth about how to become better people, spouses, parents, employees, and members of our community.\u00a0 So our goal is to deal with our own imperfections\u2014not the possible shortcomings of others.<\/p>\n Some people like to say \u201chate the sin, love the sinner.\u201d\u00a0 Honestly, that is not where Faith is coming from because that slogan gives the impression we think others are sinners and we\u2019re not.\u00a0 The more we come to understand the holiness of God as revealed in His Word, the more we see our own need for change.\u00a0 We find great hope in the possibility of growing in Christ, but it is a full-time pursuit.\u00a0 So, right now and in the foreseeable future, we plan to hate our own sin.\u00a0 We think that focus will keep us plenty busy right up until the day of eternity.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the other weakness with the \u201chate the sin, love the sinner\u201d approach.\u00a0 It suggests that we first and foremost think about those around us as sinners.\u00a0 Do we all sin and fall short of the glory of God?\u00a0 Sure, if the Bible\u2019s view on the subject is to be believed (Romans 3:23).\u00a0 But Scripture specifically and repeatedly commands us not to wrongfully judge people (cf. Matthew 7:1, 2 Corinthians 5:12) but instead to love them.\u00a0 We have no intention of allowing the Supreme Court\u2019s recent ruling to make us angry, cynical, separated, or self-righteous.<\/p>\n There are many pressing needs in our community, and we want to bring whatever financial and human resources the Lord has entrusted to us to the table to join hands with others to sacrificially serve.\u00a0 So if you would self-identify as someone other than a follower of Christ, here\u2019s the way the people of Faith wish to relate to you: \u00a0as our neighbor whom we would consider it a privilege to love.<\/p>\n The gospel by its very definition is good news about a God who forgives, cleanses, and changes those who come to Him in repentance and faith.\u00a0 We love sharing this story of hope with those interested in having a personal relationship with Him.\u00a0 It was instructive to us that the same week the Supreme Court issued its ruling, God gave our congregation the privilege of seeing several children and adults come to know Jesus Christ through Vacation Bible School and our Community Biblical Counseling Ministry.\u00a0 The Lord reigns over all.<\/p>\n We understand that the next step in this discussion is the desire on the part of many to add sexual orientation and gender identity to our state\u2019s anti-discrimination laws.\u00a0 People on both sides are already lining up for the next stage of the battle.<\/p>\n We believe there is a better way forward that could actually unite our community and state instead of dividing it yet again.\u00a0 Why not come together and seek a genuine compromise that acknowledges and respects the legitimate rights and concerns of both groups?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that what Hoosier hospitality is really all about?<\/p>\n We stand ready to participate in any attempt to bring peacemaking and unity to this divisive issue.\u00a0 And if our friends and neighbors on the left\u2014or on the right for that matter\u2014seem to be out of balance in a way that threatens religious freedom, we\u2019ll probably point that out.\u00a0 But we\u2019ll try to do it kindly, logically, and rarely.<\/p>\n In the meantime, our intent is to continue to make the main thing the main thing.\u00a0 The gospel of Jesus Christ deserves nothing less.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"First, we intend to continue to focus on our own sin.<\/h2>\n
Second, we plan to continue to find creative ways to love our neighbors.<\/h2>\n
Third, we will continue to invite others to join us on this great journey of faith.<\/h2>\n
Fourth, on the rare occasions when we believe we should play our 88th<\/sup> note, we want to play it well.<\/h2>\n