Wherever we are and whatever is going on, the church often becomes a part of the conversation. “What is the church doing about the situation?” “Where is the church in the debate?” “Is the church going to take a stand?” “Why is the church involved…this is a political issue?” And on it goes. What is the Church about?
A man in a congregation I once served, though married and the father of three children, was a homosexual. Tom (not his real name) had been arrested for aggressive overt behavior and was under the care of a psychiatrist. Only his wife knew. Then he confided in me. He was finding meaning in his marriage, and his homosexual tendencies were latent; yet he felt unworthy, guilt-ridden, impotent in interpersonal relations, verging on becoming a recluse. I invited him to share with me in a small men’s prayer-share group that met weekly–promising, of course, to keep his confidence. People began to care about him, to share their lives with him, and he began to blossom as a person.
Finally, Tom got the courage to share privately with another man in the group. I was surprised when he told me about it. The other man was a picture of masculinity, almost an exaggerated masculinity (chauvinistic, some might say) the last person I would have thought would understand Tom’s struggle. But he did understand. He accepted Tom and continued to relate in love to him; and redemption took place. Tom emerged from guilt and self-condemnation and became a dynamic, redemptive force in that church.
Talk about the church how you wish. That small group of men was the Church.