Turning Controversy into Church Ministry
I've alluded to W.P. Cambpell's book, Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality several times, but today you get all my thoughts regarding the book.
First, note that Campbell is a pastor in the PC(USA), which means he falls into one of two camps: for or against the repeal of the "fidelity and chastity" clause. I'll admit, when I saw the title of the book, I was afraid he fell into the camp that totally embraced homosexuality because Jesus was "inclusive." At the same time, I imagined it couldn't be too far right (a la Fred "I'm a nut-job" Phelps) and wondered what middle ground he had found.
Fortunately, Campbell navigates the roaring rapids of the homosexual issue quite well. He begins with the story that forms his framework from John 8, showcasing Jesus, the Pharisees, and the woman caught in adultery. Of specific note, he highlights Jesus' response to their demands that she be stoned, Jesus' response to the woman's sin, and Jesus' command to her. Notice the emphasis: each time it is fixed on Jesus' words and actions, not some pseudo-spiritual drivel. Jesus responded in grace, forgiving her but He also responded in truth by telling her to turn from her sin, not continue in it! Based on the framework of Jesus' response to sin, he begins to deal with the Church's responses to homosexuality.
There are five responses that are out in the church today in terms of grace and truth. The first is grace without truth (Gay Affirming): this posits that since God made people homosexual, they should be allowed to exercise their gifts in ministry and it's really not a sin. The second is truth without grace (Gay Bashing): this is reversed to where sin is an abomination and there is no forgiveness for the sinner, because they are an abomination. The third is weak grace with compromised truth (Affirming, but mostly silent): this is where people are affirmed but not much is said regarding sin, much less a need for repentance because that is divisive and therefore irrelevant. The fourth is weak truth with compromised grace (Against, but mostly silent): this is where people are against homosexuality (meaning they see it as sin), but remain silent out of fear of reaction to the truth. The fifth way is to hold firm to grace and truth (Christ's Way): sin is called sin but the sinner is loved and called into new life, not to continue in death. Looking at each of these, churches I have been a part of came to mind. I think even at our best, my current church wiggles between the two middle options out of fear and some apathy.
However, Campbell calls the church to task for being so many different things regarding homosexuality. His point (and one with which I completely agree!), is that the Church is called to be a reflection of Jesus. If we condone sin (which is what gay affirming denominations and churches are doing) through some kind of theological hopscotch or completely reject the sinner (which is what some conservative denominations and churches are doing) because we feel more righteous than them, we are no better than the Pharisees who Jesus reserved His harshest words for! In fact, Scripture clearly points to end results of twisted teaching (and note: the text doesn't say anything about how the teaching is twisted, just that it is!) saying that it'd be better to have a millstone (the heaviest thing around in those days) tied around ones neck and be taking a swim, than lead someone astray...
For this reason alone, Campbell's book is more than worth its price tag. But, on a more practical note, it isn't just an apology for the Church and our mis-dealings with homosexuality but a blueprint to develop Christ-centric ministries that meet people in their sin and bring them into newness of life in Jesus Christ our Lord! To get to the blueprint, Campbell first discusses myriad implications and arguments made for affirming homosexuality and the scriptural mandate that homosexuality is sin. Genetically, he point out that no direct link can be made, making the environmental concerns much more prevalent. Second, he tackles some of the theological gymnastics that people have employed to explain away scripture, pointing out the flaws in their reasoning and pointing to the hermeneutic principle of simplicity (the most common reading is the most likely!). Finally, he tackles the APA and psychiatric profession's stance that homosexuality is not a disorder or deviancy with reams of research showing links to same gender relationships in childhood/adolescence (or lack thereof) and people who have changed their "unchangeable" orientation through therapy.
After tackling all of that information, which is myriad and in depth, he moves on to the practical side. How to take the controversy and make it into ministry (as the title implies!). Most churches have groups that deal with grief, divorce, parenting, and other issues but seldom do they have groups dealing with sexuality. Part of this is undoubtedly the SNL "Church Lady" syndrome ("Sex is a dirty word..."), but a lot of it is due to the seriousness of the issue tackled! And to note, this doesn't merely encompass homosexuality, but pornography, affairs, lust, and every kind of sexual sin that our culture is drowning in. Homosexuality is only one of the many sexual issues the church ought to be dealing with, but has ignored for far too long. Campbell suggests ministry in six areas, tailored to each individual church: prayer, leadership, family values, mentoring, small group ministry, and outreach. Some churches have natural inclinations towards one of these areas (although realistically, he says it must start at the first and second levels and work towards others), but must embrace the first two levels before beginning something deeper. He bases this off of Nehemiah's model (had you realized the Nehemiah fasted, mourned, and prayed for more than half a year?), who being filled with holy discontent at the plight of Jerusalem, finally had the chance to do something about it after much prayer and fasting.
This is probably the best advice in the book, to start with prayer drenched leadership, not a program or programming strategy. So often in the church world we place the cart in front of the horse by choosing to start something without a deep prayer focus (long-term) that cultivates the heart inside leaders. As Bill Hybels puts it, it's about developing a holy discontent and harnessing that for ministry (since God gave you the heart for that issue!). Therefore, if nothing else, this book should encourage you to place the horse back in front of the cart and pray (as long as it takes!), develop leaders whose hearts are burdened for the issue, then engage people where they are so they can find the life that matters.
Beyond that, this book breathes life into an issue that is so polarized that people often think they must be at either extreme, there is no middle way. Or people have labeled them as intolerant,homophobic, unloving, and un-inclusive and so they decided that enough people told them that, they must have been wrong. But the simple truth is that we are called to do the same as Jesus: call sin sin, while offering forgiveness, grace, and a new start to the sinner. Perhaps the most apt analogy would be of a church full of philanderers who accept each others' marital infidelity and celebrate it instead of calling the other to repentance because their infidelity is sin. A church that embraced extra-marital affairs wouldn't last because it is sin, just as a church that embraces something else the Bible calls sin cannot stand. Thus, we need to offer grace because those struggling with homosexuality are no different than the rest of us: sinners in need of God's grace.
The final thing to point out, Campbell doesn't say the end of ministry to homosexuals is to make them heterosexuals, but to help them control their lives and live free from sin. The same end can be said of liars, adulterers, and any other sin issue! Why we try to make allowances for one sin over another is beyond me, because I am a guilty sinner just as much as the other guy but cannot explain my sin away as "okay because it's how I was made." Yes, I have hormonal tendencies, but I don't have to act on them! I might want that extra piece of pie, but I don't have to eat it. This is the crux of the issue: is the Bible true and are we following Jesus or our own way? The question is beyond valid, it is unquestionably important for anyone who wears the label, Christian. Just as a Christian cannot live as a liar, adulterer, or drunkard, a Christian cannot live as a homosexual. Sin is sin and, frankly, its about time someone sounded the clarion call of repentance for sinners who are in desperate need of a savior. Hopefully, people will pick up W.P. Campbell's book and see the heart that beats through every page: a heart that desires every sinner find God's changing grace and become who God really made them to be. I pray that may be the case, because if someone hadn't sounded the call for me I'd be just as lost...
First, note that Campbell is a pastor in the PC(USA), which means he falls into one of two camps: for or against the repeal of the "fidelity and chastity" clause. I'll admit, when I saw the title of the book, I was afraid he fell into the camp that totally embraced homosexuality because Jesus was "inclusive." At the same time, I imagined it couldn't be too far right (a la Fred "I'm a nut-job" Phelps) and wondered what middle ground he had found.
Fortunately, Campbell navigates the roaring rapids of the homosexual issue quite well. He begins with the story that forms his framework from John 8, showcasing Jesus, the Pharisees, and the woman caught in adultery. Of specific note, he highlights Jesus' response to their demands that she be stoned, Jesus' response to the woman's sin, and Jesus' command to her. Notice the emphasis: each time it is fixed on Jesus' words and actions, not some pseudo-spiritual drivel. Jesus responded in grace, forgiving her but He also responded in truth by telling her to turn from her sin, not continue in it! Based on the framework of Jesus' response to sin, he begins to deal with the Church's responses to homosexuality.
There are five responses that are out in the church today in terms of grace and truth. The first is grace without truth (Gay Affirming): this posits that since God made people homosexual, they should be allowed to exercise their gifts in ministry and it's really not a sin. The second is truth without grace (Gay Bashing): this is reversed to where sin is an abomination and there is no forgiveness for the sinner, because they are an abomination. The third is weak grace with compromised truth (Affirming, but mostly silent): this is where people are affirmed but not much is said regarding sin, much less a need for repentance because that is divisive and therefore irrelevant. The fourth is weak truth with compromised grace (Against, but mostly silent): this is where people are against homosexuality (meaning they see it as sin), but remain silent out of fear of reaction to the truth. The fifth way is to hold firm to grace and truth (Christ's Way): sin is called sin but the sinner is loved and called into new life, not to continue in death. Looking at each of these, churches I have been a part of came to mind. I think even at our best, my current church wiggles between the two middle options out of fear and some apathy.
However, Campbell calls the church to task for being so many different things regarding homosexuality. His point (and one with which I completely agree!), is that the Church is called to be a reflection of Jesus. If we condone sin (which is what gay affirming denominations and churches are doing) through some kind of theological hopscotch or completely reject the sinner (which is what some conservative denominations and churches are doing) because we feel more righteous than them, we are no better than the Pharisees who Jesus reserved His harshest words for! In fact, Scripture clearly points to end results of twisted teaching (and note: the text doesn't say anything about how the teaching is twisted, just that it is!) saying that it'd be better to have a millstone (the heaviest thing around in those days) tied around ones neck and be taking a swim, than lead someone astray...
For this reason alone, Campbell's book is more than worth its price tag. But, on a more practical note, it isn't just an apology for the Church and our mis-dealings with homosexuality but a blueprint to develop Christ-centric ministries that meet people in their sin and bring them into newness of life in Jesus Christ our Lord! To get to the blueprint, Campbell first discusses myriad implications and arguments made for affirming homosexuality and the scriptural mandate that homosexuality is sin. Genetically, he point out that no direct link can be made, making the environmental concerns much more prevalent. Second, he tackles some of the theological gymnastics that people have employed to explain away scripture, pointing out the flaws in their reasoning and pointing to the hermeneutic principle of simplicity (the most common reading is the most likely!). Finally, he tackles the APA and psychiatric profession's stance that homosexuality is not a disorder or deviancy with reams of research showing links to same gender relationships in childhood/adolescence (or lack thereof) and people who have changed their "unchangeable" orientation through therapy.
After tackling all of that information, which is myriad and in depth, he moves on to the practical side. How to take the controversy and make it into ministry (as the title implies!). Most churches have groups that deal with grief, divorce, parenting, and other issues but seldom do they have groups dealing with sexuality. Part of this is undoubtedly the SNL "Church Lady" syndrome ("Sex is a dirty word..."), but a lot of it is due to the seriousness of the issue tackled! And to note, this doesn't merely encompass homosexuality, but pornography, affairs, lust, and every kind of sexual sin that our culture is drowning in. Homosexuality is only one of the many sexual issues the church ought to be dealing with, but has ignored for far too long. Campbell suggests ministry in six areas, tailored to each individual church: prayer, leadership, family values, mentoring, small group ministry, and outreach. Some churches have natural inclinations towards one of these areas (although realistically, he says it must start at the first and second levels and work towards others), but must embrace the first two levels before beginning something deeper. He bases this off of Nehemiah's model (had you realized the Nehemiah fasted, mourned, and prayed for more than half a year?), who being filled with holy discontent at the plight of Jerusalem, finally had the chance to do something about it after much prayer and fasting.
This is probably the best advice in the book, to start with prayer drenched leadership, not a program or programming strategy. So often in the church world we place the cart in front of the horse by choosing to start something without a deep prayer focus (long-term) that cultivates the heart inside leaders. As Bill Hybels puts it, it's about developing a holy discontent and harnessing that for ministry (since God gave you the heart for that issue!). Therefore, if nothing else, this book should encourage you to place the horse back in front of the cart and pray (as long as it takes!), develop leaders whose hearts are burdened for the issue, then engage people where they are so they can find the life that matters.
Beyond that, this book breathes life into an issue that is so polarized that people often think they must be at either extreme, there is no middle way. Or people have labeled them as intolerant,homophobic, unloving, and un-inclusive and so they decided that enough people told them that, they must have been wrong. But the simple truth is that we are called to do the same as Jesus: call sin sin, while offering forgiveness, grace, and a new start to the sinner. Perhaps the most apt analogy would be of a church full of philanderers who accept each others' marital infidelity and celebrate it instead of calling the other to repentance because their infidelity is sin. A church that embraced extra-marital affairs wouldn't last because it is sin, just as a church that embraces something else the Bible calls sin cannot stand. Thus, we need to offer grace because those struggling with homosexuality are no different than the rest of us: sinners in need of God's grace.
The final thing to point out, Campbell doesn't say the end of ministry to homosexuals is to make them heterosexuals, but to help them control their lives and live free from sin. The same end can be said of liars, adulterers, and any other sin issue! Why we try to make allowances for one sin over another is beyond me, because I am a guilty sinner just as much as the other guy but cannot explain my sin away as "okay because it's how I was made." Yes, I have hormonal tendencies, but I don't have to act on them! I might want that extra piece of pie, but I don't have to eat it. This is the crux of the issue: is the Bible true and are we following Jesus or our own way? The question is beyond valid, it is unquestionably important for anyone who wears the label, Christian. Just as a Christian cannot live as a liar, adulterer, or drunkard, a Christian cannot live as a homosexual. Sin is sin and, frankly, its about time someone sounded the clarion call of repentance for sinners who are in desperate need of a savior. Hopefully, people will pick up W.P. Campbell's book and see the heart that beats through every page: a heart that desires every sinner find God's changing grace and become who God really made them to be. I pray that may be the case, because if someone hadn't sounded the call for me I'd be just as lost...
Wow, what a review! This will take me all day to read! (Okay, not really all day) but thanks for spending so much time on this. I look forward to digging in.
ReplyDeleteAR
Matt:
ReplyDeleteI can understand why your review of the book began with an assumption about a PCUSA pastor falling into one of two camps. This is the case for many mainline pastors and it is one of the frustrations that motivated me to put a pen to paper (okay, actually fingers to a keyboard).
The other rather sad assumption with which you might start such a review is that there are a majority of pastors in many denominations who consider themselves "moderates," but who use this label as an excuse to avoid grappling with divisive issues like homosexuality. But Christians are not called to avoid issues. We are called to speak with relevance to every topic that affects the humans for whom our Lord died. Jesus was no moderate!
Thank you for your comments.
WP Campbell
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to write the book first off! I really enjoyed getting to see another pastor (in our denomination) reveal a heart that beats for the hurting and doesn't candy coat the truth. It's a case where if the affirming camp is true, there really isn't a need for a savior; whereas the truth is we all need a savior.
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed by your work that I've talked with our senior pastor about getting copies for our session and maybe then getting them into the hands of the presbytery (it helps having had our current moderator as a professor in my undergrad!). It is a good guideline for any church looking to do something for the hurting and needy in our community, but particualrly in the area of sexual brokenness which is becoming more and more prevalent today...
Matt