Flores de Mayo-history and origin we need to understand
Listening Together: Love and Unity, Part 1
1. On Sept 22, 2010, after being cyber-bullied
by his roommate, gay Rutgers student
Tyler Clementi leaped to his death from
the George Washington Bridge.
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2. Text
Why wasn’t anyone standing between Tyler and that bridge?
If you had known, would you have stood in that gap?
What would you have said to him?
3. “Jesus
loves you,
Tyler, he
just hates
that you’ve
chosen to
be gay.”
“Jesus
loves you,
Tyler, so
you’re free
to do
whatever
you want.”
?
4. “We’re both imperfect and
wired for struggle, Tyler, but
Jesus loves us unconditionally.
Let’s wrestle honestly with what
it means for us to follow Christ
because he said we’re still
worth loving and belonging.”
5. Not whether we will endorse a secular gay
agenda, perform* same-sex weddings, or
ordain* non-celibate gay persons.
It’s learning how Jesus wants us to live in
authentic reconciled relationships with those
who sincerely believe they didn’t choose to be gay
but have made a clear choice to follow Christ.
*not currently allowed by our denomination’s regional policy
6. “The church doesn’t lead with the thought and
attitude that Christians who struggle with
homosexuality are our people. But it should.”
Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Christian Clinical Psychologist
Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends
Bethany House 2010 (156)
7. “You are worth less.”
Most gays today hate Christians because they
believe that Christians hate them.
9. • Authority of the Bible and literal
reading of certain passages
• Alarm over increasing encroachment
of gay-affirming values that are
inconsistent with Christian values
• Absence of close relationships with
openly gay people. Especially
unquestionably Christian ones.
• Assumption that no one is born gay;
it’s always a willful, sinful choice.
Most don’t.
10. 13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings
out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste
godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Weʼre to enhance Godʼs reputation
among those who donʼt believe!
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-
colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as
public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to
hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve
put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be
generous with your lives. By opening up to others, youʼll prompt people to
open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. MATTHEW 5 (MSG)
14. Dear Pastor Fong:
Thank you for accepting my friend request.
You are doing some amazing work for the API
community and bridging the gap between the
LGBT and faith community. Many in the LGBT
community have turned their back on God and
the church because of the non-acceptance
from many in the faith community. My son and
I are ones who have disconnected from the
church, because he was asked to leave the
church when they found out that he was not
hetereosexual. I was angry at God and the
church, because at a time when we needed
both, I felt like they abandoned us. Today, I see
that the faith community is also on their path of
acceptance and love, and so my heart is
looking for a church that I can call my home. I
have not found one that I connect with yet.
With all that said, I want you to know how
much I appreciate the film you are doing and
the way you are helping the faith community to
stand on the side of love. As a mother who
wants the world to be safer for her son and all
LGBT individuals, I want you to know that your
work means so much to me.
Marsha
15. Text
We are all straining our ears now to
hear how Jesus wants us to do that.
I believe Jesus wants us to do more than just stand in the gap.
Six years ago God called me to spend whatever reputation I
have to build a bridge between straight and gay believers.
