When I was in the pre -“don’t ask, don’t tell” military a good friend of mine came out of the closet. In those times, because of his excellent military record he was honorably discharged. Although he did violate the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (the UCMJ, simply stated, is our military’s law), his lifestyle hadn’t affected his service to our country. In this instance, common sense applied.
Over the ensuing years, I have not seen much common sense, nor the love of Christ applied towards gays and lesbians from the church, especially from those of us who believe in the inerrancy of all scripture. When the opportunity to read W.P. Campbell’s new book Turning Controversy Into Church Ministry – A Christlike Response to Homosexuality (Zondervan, Grand Rapid, MI. 2010. ISBN: 978-0-310-32132-3) came, I immediately knew I had to read it.
Mr. Campbell is the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in
His purpose is “to equip Christians and their churches to provide a Christlike response to homosexuality and to people who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions,” (pg. 7). If one has never read a book on how to begin a ministry to homosexuals this book could possibly begin that journey, or help you deal with your own personal bias.
The book is divided into 3-A’s: Analysis, Approach and Action. Chapters in each section clearly follow their overview; first, helping one analyze their church and themselves, then understanding the controversy and how-to minister to it and finally the last chapters deal with ministry development.
In the Analysis and Approach sections, Mr. Campbell takes the reader through “Ten Ministry Essentials.” These guide the reader and provide a balanced approach to expand one’s thinking. He plainly states, how many churches are afraid of gays and he categorizes them as being a “gay-bashing church,” (pg. 32) asking if your church is a welcoming church?
Several chapters open with the differing viewpoints of the gay affirming or gay bashing churches by quoting their words under the headings “Grace with Compromised Truth” or “Truth with Compromised Grace.”
I found
The last section on Action, and its seven chapters, goes far in assisting one in thoughtfully developing a ministry to gays and lesbians. “Six Ministry Areas” are presented to place you on a successful ministry path. These areas are divided into “Inner Reality” with “Outer Focus.” While there is nothing neither new, nor amazing in these steps they apply well to the points he’s making. I was pleased he put prayer first.
A brief section in his concluding chapter deals with mature verses immature church – don’t skip that section. He’s correct.
Let me flatly say, “I’m impressed with this work.” I believe it will add to a proper discussion among church leaders and help dispel fear. However, there were a couple of things I didn’t like. I felt his attention getting beginning to some chapters were just too obvious and hence he was talking down to me. I also would’ve liked a bibliography. When books are this well researched – it’s necessary.
Pastor Campbell has provided a well-written, well-researched, thought-provoking and ministry-assisting book for the entire church. To be clear, not just for pastors – but all of us.
Follow other reviewers tour here, and purchase the book.
2 comments:
"his lifestyle hadn’t affected his service to our country" This doesn't mean his lifestyle didn't affect others who knew about it before he came out. Those that served with him may have been affected and this could very well have hurt others and compromised their efforts in serving their nation. For example, a child born with a mental illness such as autism is in every way a child of God but is limited in life by their illness. Homosexuality is much more serious and dangerous of a mental illness then autism. The majority of people with a mental illness, don't loose their basic moral compass. I would feel safer with Charlie Manson sleeping next to me then a person that suffers from homosexuality. At least you have an idea of the extent of Manson’s capabilities. We pray for them, but it's clear that these individuals are incapable of crossing back over the line. There isn't a cure for this illness, they can be saved and live a half way normal life but this doesn't fix the mental disorder of homosexuality. The thoughts will haunt them, and even if they choose to ignore them and focus on God which is a positive step it won't change the fact that the malfunction occurred the second the thoughts of homosexuality entered their subconscious. I find it disturbing we allow them into the military in any fashion. Certainly, we would all agree that a person that suffers from the terrible illness of autism may not be qualified to drive a tank or you may have second thoughts before handing them a rifle. In my opinion, I would feel much safer with a person with autism holding a rifle then a homosexual. We allow them to walk around in public, glorify them on t.v. and they are far more dangerous then we want to admit. The tolerance towards these individual's disease only feeds the destruction of our society like cancer eating away our morals while we down play this mental illness and dismiss it as just a sexually immoral act which it is not but a mental deformity which has no cure but needs attention. We need to help these people both medical and spiritually, first step might be admitting them into a mental institution as they are not capable of life outside these walls. The moment they admit or “come out of the closet” is the moment they validate their insanity.
Tim: Thanks much for your good review of the book.
GoodHepeard12: Having read your comments, I would like to encourage you to read the book.
Blessings,
WP Campbell
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