The Well Palmdale, CA

So about a week ago I posted a blog about NPR and Hannah Montana.  I spoke very highly of NPR, and I thought that I should clarify my endorsement.  I do love NPR, and it is the only radion that I pretty much listen to.  They have good and interesting world wide news and I like the music they play.  NPR is not perfect by any means.  Yesterday was one of those days where I got frustrated at my radio. 

As Sarah and I were on our way to drop off a couple boxes at our new place and, yes, take down some more sin (I mean wallpaper), a certain story caused us to stop our conversation and listen in.  It was on transgender children (basically little boys who want to be girls and little girls who want to be boys).  They were interviewing a gender specialist about this one boy from Toronto in particular (I know I'm no scientist, but I think I could be a gender specialist...I did get an A- in Anatomy class in high school).  This gender specialist talked in circles in regards to gender issues and how parents can help children transition from one gender to another, and how transgenderism is not a disorder but a simply a variant way of living.  Now, I'm sure you can imagine the discussion that followed us listening to this.  We were a little frustrated that people who feel that they want to cut off their arm because it makes them uncomfortable have a disorder but little boys who want to cut something else off don't. 

Anyways...this post is not a debate on the theology or logic behind LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer population).  I think that this is a cause for us, as a church to reflect and evaluate.  What?!?  Shouldn't we be condemning this anit-Biblical lifestyle?!?  Well, we definitely shouldn't condone it...but I'll save the judgment for the one who's better at it than me.  I think that we should be able to ask ourselves, "Would someone who was LGBTQ be accepted at The Well?".  Now, I know that this may ruffle a few feathers, but before answering that question we should also ask ourselves if we are able to accept and welcome other sinners.  I know that our community has sinners of every variety (people who do things that are immoral, illegal, and unspeakable), and they are accepted and welcomed (though their sin is not...I need to make that clear...nobody's sin is every accepted...it is forgiven).  Our sin should never be tolerated, yet I think that people need to be accepting because Jesus accepted us as His own when He went to the cross....and He calls us to accept others with the same kind of unconditional love that we received. 

I knew a guy on my vicarage/internship who I talked to a fair amount about a number of these issues.  He told me a few stories about how he would go out to a bar with his friends to have a beer and he would feel so uncomfortable and unsafe because there would be people stareing, pointing, and suggesting that he leave "or else" simply because he appeared to be gay.  He said that he had to leave a few places with his cell phone on, 911 typed in, and his finger on the "Call" button as he left a place simply because he felt physically threatened because he was gay.  To top it off he even talked to me about how he used to be Christian, but he had a hard time with the church since many of those threats were from self-proclaimed Christians.  It honestly breaks my heart when I hear stories like this.

Imagine...The Well being a place where people from the LGBTQ can seek out and find Jesus.  Imagine a church where people who are confused about their identity can find clarity.  Imagine, a place where addicts, prostitutes, drug dealers, liers, fornicators, the greedy, bigots, speeders, even the people who keep the money when they are given too much change at the store...Imagine all of them having a place to come together...as sinners...to hear the Word of God and receive forgiveness.

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