Matthew 28:19&20
”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What does this passage mean to you as a Gay Christian? Is it different from Straight Christians?

Very good point, New Song.

I always think, that is NO different from straight Christians. But we just need make sure that; the places we sent for were different to each other. And works which God gave us are different for each other too.
(sorry, at moment, I can't figure out how to use 'preposition' correctly... )

Just my opinion

This is the hardest thing of all...the thing that should be the most natural for me as a Christian....witnessing. I wrote a whole post on it which ended up in cyberspace thanks to my genius with technology. I DON'T think it is any difference. I think that straight Christians have MADE it different for us by denying us our place at His Table....If they deny we have been saved, how can we help save others?
But here is my struggle with witnessing- I have always felt like Christians had a "hands off" policy, us/them with non-Christians. Like they were not part of the exclusive club. I feel like they treated non-Christians as "projects" to bring to the Lord as though they were this filthy thing that they were being charitable enough to have contact with. I know the parts of the Bible that they magnify to justify this....like: Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. touch no unclean thing and I will recieve you....(2nd Corinthians 6:17)and I have wondered if I think these people are really unclean and yucky, how can I love them as a person? I see how Jesus reached out to everyone and turned the world on it's axis.
So, my problem with witnessing is how to start a witness. And what to say. I DON'T want to bring people to religion. If the talk about Christ naturally occurs, I am ok, but if I feel led to speak, I tense up and make it impossible. I don't want to bring people to a nice Christian club. I want them to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. i guess I feel like I am suppossed to tell people how to live their lives (discipleship) after they have come to the Lord...but where is the LORD in that? HE is suppossed to lead people's lives.
I would LIKE to be a better witness, but I don't know how to break down my own inhibitions which also embarrass me in front of the Lord, and how to witness Jesus as He is; a natural, living part of my life. I imagine part of it is because maybe some little part of me feels I have no right to witness because I am gay...but how will others know about Him? Especially gays who will not listen to straight Christians?

[This message was edited by Blyth on June 02, 2004 at 09:09 PM.]

Newsong,

I think it is the same for ALL that are called by the Lord. Our vision and focus should be to bring this world to Jesus, or to bring Him to this world. I think it means we should be serious about how we Live our Lives in the Lord and recognize we ALL have been given this Great Commission, not just a few. Our Life should shine the Gospel, but we also need to tell it too. Faith comes by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word. How shall they Hear, if no one tells them? And how shall they tell them, if no one goes? We have been given a great responsibility, EACH ONE of US! We are not here just to take up space on the earth and barbeque and go shopping, and watch TV on the weekends. The Bible says, "Without a vision, the people perish."

We need to not just look at what is good for us as individuals, but look to the Building up of the Church, which is His Body. I see no difference between Gay and Straight Christians. Even though Straight Christians reject us.

There is ONE God, and ONE Lord of ALL. Our
focus needs to turn from the temporal to the eternal. This world is passing away, and the things of the world with it. We need to recognize the urgency of bringing the Gospel (THE GOOD NEWS) to those that are still in darkness and for all intents and purpose, perishing. How can any of us stand by and watch people who don't know the Lord, just go their way? I have talked to many Christians that have friends and Family they know are lost and when I ask them if they share the Gospel with them or pray for their Salvation, they tell me no, these people aren't interested. I asked them if they EVER mentioned it and got a bad reaction, and their response was no. Then how do they know if they would reject it? Especially people that they are close to.

I wonder how they don't Love them enough to tell them. I wonder if they are ashamed themselves or afraid of being ridiculed or rejected. I wonder what would have happened to me, if someone didn't Love the Lord and me enough to tell me. I probably would have been dead by now. I believe that. I was burning my candle at both ends with a blowtorch.

My friends that got Saved before me, came and told me, and at first I thought they were nuts, and I laughed at them. But I saw they were changed, totally. I could see something had happened in their Life. It wasn't just their words, it was their Life shining so bright, I couldn't ignore them after awhile. My friends never invited me to church. They invited me into a Real and Living relationship with Jesus.

Even though I read the Bible since I was a little child, until someone came and spoke that Living Word to me, it was just History, not Alive. As my friends told me about Jesus, my Spirit came Alive as they spoke, because Faith came Alive in my Spirit. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew it was the Truth and I had to have it. I went Home and stayed in for about 6 weeks reading the Gospels, and the rest of the Bible. It was like building up my Faith and Strength.

When I went out and started telling my friends and anyone who would listen, they looked at me like I was nuts. I hitch hiked and told people about Jesus. I talked to them wherever I went. A lot of my friends laughed me to scorn. But I knew it was true and felt such an urgency to tell anyone and everyone. All my friends came to know Jesus, and still do. After awhile they stopped laughing and started listening. I trusted if I did what the Lord told me, His Word wouldn't come back void. And it didn't!!! I knew I literally had nothing to lose by putting myself out there. I live in America, nobody was going to kill me for sharing the Gospel. I thought, "How many people have been persecuted and killed over the centuries for the Gospels sake." How could being a little embarrassed to speak up even compare??? How could I not tell people, with so little risk to my Life, after all the others suffered to get this message to me in this century???

I don't go out into the highways and byways anymore, but I always talk about the Lord anyway. I look for open doors and pray that the Lord brings people to my Home or has someone prepared when I go out on the street. Many times they are waiting wherever I go. It's amazing.

LORD POUR OUT YOUR SPIRIT AND WORDS ON US,
ROSE



Your Love for your Wife should be like the Rock of Gibraltar. Though waves beat against it constantly, it can Never be moved.
R.S.



RUTH
16And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. [1] Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
17Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8
6Set me like a Seal upon your Heart, like a Seal upon your arm; for Love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most Vehement Flame [the very Flame of the Lord]!(3)
7Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for Love, he would be utterly scorned and despised.



ROSE

[This message was edited by Rose on June 02, 2004 at 10:00 PM.]

w I'm not so eloquent as Rose and Blyth. I 'witness' to others by sharing my excitement for God and with the great works/mysteries of His hand. I guess what I'm saying is that I 'witness' about Christ/God/Holy Spirit by simply not hiding my excitement and wonder at God's nature and works. It seems to work. I've had many, many conversations about God with folks that I know would never give the time of day to someone who was passing out tracts.

I think the other thing is that each of us plays a different role in this process. Some plant the initial seed while others nurture that seed along until a person accepts Christ. Still others have the gift of discipleship, teaching and encouragement. We each play a part 'as the Spirit' has gifted us and leads us. One part is not more important than another.

As far as the question is witnessing different because we're gay? I think in some ways it's even MORE important! Who else can reach the gay community except us? If we don't do it then who will? And will they 'destroy' the person by trying to 'get them to be straight' along the way? It's imperative that we 'witness' to our community.

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."

This is an interesting discussion!

I would agree with you all that the great commission is equally valid for gays as for others. I think it is one of the basics for the Christian faith where sexual orientation has as little meaning as the color of one's hair or one's height.

Different people have so many different ways of fulfilling it, as others have said. I'm not one to go to talk to people unless I'm asked. But as a webmaster of a Christian site I reach a far larger number of people, and it is a way of doing it that I feel "at home" with, it is natural for me and not sort of forced. I had my attempts as an 18-19-year-old to pass out tracts to strangers and just didn't feel right doing it. I believe that God leads us all to the best way of spreading the gospel when we are open and seek for opportunities.

The most read section on the site I manage is the Bible verse that changes daily. It's good to know that the Holy Spirit can speak to people through the Word in a personal way related to their circumstances. So even though I don't go out to the streets to preach, I can be involved in bringing God's word to people just for a minute in the middle of their busy work days or wherever.

(Related to this, the address of our site will for the first time appear in a non-Christian conference brochure at the end of the month. It's the main women's conference in this country each year, and we are expercting a very large number of new visitors to the site. Would appreciate prayer for all the new content we are still adding on it.)

It is also equally important to be equipping those who have a more specific call to reach others to be stronger Christian, I think. Like Elaine said, we can be at a different parts along the way.

Everyone,
I agree with you all that the Great Commission applies to us as well as to straight Christians. But we also have a special mission - to show by our lives as Christian Lesbians that this is not a contradiction. We can show other Gays and Lesbians that God loves them as they are. And we can show straight people that gay people can live honest, authentic Christian lives (this one may take a while to sink in, but we need to keep trying.)
Love to you all.
Ingrid

Bluewings,
I think the most important thing is what you said, "I believe that God leads us all to the best way of spreading the gospel when we are open and seek for opportunities.

We are a many membered Body and we ALL have different talents and boldness that we can minister the Gospel. There are so many ways of reaching Hearts.

ROSE

Your Love for your Wife should be like the Rock of Gibraltar. Though waves beat against it constantly, it can Never be moved.
R.S.



RUTH
16And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. [1] Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
17Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8
6Set me like a Seal upon your Heart, like a Seal upon your arm; for Love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most Vehement Flame [the very Flame of the Lord]!(3)
7Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for Love, he would be utterly scorned and despised.



ROSE

Makes me think of the wise old preacher who said to his congregation:
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel . . . . and if necessary, use words."

"I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop."
Psalm 102:7

Thank you for your responses. I have enjoyed reading them. I too have experienced many of the struggles and joys that have been expressed here.

I agree that the Great Commission applies equally to everyone - catholic or protestant, man or woman, white or colour, old or young, rich or poor, gay or straight.

Who is best to bring a man to the saving knowledge of our Lord? Probably another man! Can a filthy rich person minister to an extremely poor person as effectively as one in a similar situation? I'm not so sure.

I think of every gay person I ever met before I accepted myself as a Christian Lesbian. Not one of them knew Christ. Almost all of them were lonely and bouncing from relationship to relationship to try and fill a void. Who best to reach a lesbian with the good news of Christ than one of her own?

"Go and make disciples of EVERY nation..." Which "nation" can we most effectively reach? What if, instead of convincing non-accepting Christians that we are okay with God, we work at changing the hearts (and eventually the lifestyles) of our nation of people first? Won't everything else just follow along naturally?

YES AND AMEN A THOUSAND TIMES. He is calling us ALL Home!!!
GRACE AND PEACE,
ROSE

Your Love for your Wife should be like the Rock of Gibraltar. Though waves beat against it constantly, it can Never be moved.
R.S.



RUTH
16And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. [1] Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
17Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8
6Set me like a Seal upon your Heart, like a Seal upon your arm; for Love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most Vehement Flame [the very Flame of the Lord]!(3)
7Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for Love, he would be utterly scorned and despised.



ROSE

quote:

---

Originally posted by sparrow:
Makes me think of the wise old preacher who said to his congregation:
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel . . . . and if necessary, use words."

---

Hadn't heard that before, well said!

Also, what New Song said about so few lesbians knowing the Lord made me think. Here you sort of get thinking that all lesbians are Christians ... Made me think about my own role. Would mine be to reach anyone who happens to be reachable or some group in particular. Just thinking aloud... !

Bluewings

Sparrow,
I really like what that pastor said. I think one of the biggest problems in this world is people who don't "walk the talk." I am a person that remembers things from songs. I always remember "They will know we are Christians by our love". I think our love, compassion, and concern for others shows Jesus as much or more than ten thousand words. The other song I think of is "You're the only Jesus some will ever see." I think we are called to live our lives to show Christ through our words, our actions and our attitudes. That is true witnessing.
Just my thoughts.

quote:

---

Who is best to bring a man to the saving knowledge of our Lord? Probably another man! Can a filthy rich person minister to an extremely poor person as effectively as one in a similar situation? I'm not so sure.

I think of every gay person I ever met before I accepted myself as a Christian Lesbian. Not one of them knew Christ. Almost all of them were lonely and bouncing from relationship to relationship to try and fill a void. Who best to reach a lesbian with the good news of Christ than one of her own?

"Go and make disciples of EVERY nation..." Which "nation" can we most effectively reach? What if, instead of convincing non-accepting Christians that we are okay with God, we work at changing the hearts (and eventually the lifestyles) of _our_ nation of people first? Won't everything else just follow along naturally?

---

New Song I've learned so much by studying the early Gentile church as I think our situation now mirrors what they went through. For years they weren't accepted by the Jewish Christian leadership. Then they were only partially accepted. By partially I mean that the Jewish Christians would accept them if the Gentiles changed who they were through circumsion (sorry there is no spell checker on the computer I'm logged onto today) and other edicts (e.g. dietary laws, dress codes and the like). Just like many in the church today want gays to remain celibate (i.e. "non practicing") or to change our sexual orientation all together. Only then will we be 'accepted' (i.e. we must become 'like them' to be accepted).

Yet through all these trials and struggles the Gentile church didn't lose her focus. She didn't waste all of her time and energy picketing Jerusalem for 'her rights'. She sent representatives from time to time yes... But most of the Gentile churches efforts were focused on their own congregations and spreading the message further and further out into their surrounding communities.

We would do well to follow the pattern set down before us some 2,000 years ago. That being to focus first on the great commission God has given us and encouraging those we fellowship with. After that we can 'worry' about changing the churches opinion of us. Even here the Gentiles didn't try and force the church to accept them. They achieved change through fellowship and dialog.

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."

I am very inspired by all that you all write. I do believe that we all have a different calling on our lives in how we share our faith with others. I am very insecure and shy so the internet has become the place where I am most able to show my true self, and even then it is very hard to chance rejection. I try to be a willing vessel and let God work through me when He needs to. I think I need to receive more than I can give right now though, and I am finding that these boards are witnessing to me through all of you.

Our work is never done and sometimes a word or phrase that we were not aware of can be that seed that another needs to get through a day, or to change a life forever. I am very thankful for you all.

In Him,
Kayti

For those of you who know me, you know that I really am a very shy and quiet person. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15) That seems like a HUGE and overwhelming thing for me. I know that God calls us all to do this, to share in the good news we know. If we don't...then how will the world know?

So, I'm not a very "preachy" person. I'm very shy, and very quiet. But, I believe that the WAY I live my life is a much louder testamony then any words I could ever say. I don't make what I believe, and my relationship with God a secret. I don't hide Him or make my relationship just a "Sunday morning" thing. He is a part of everything I do, and my life and my conversations reflect that.

There is another verse that says "...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15)

That's where I believe the Great Commission starts. I try to live my life as best I can they way I think God would have me to live it. And I know that Christ will be reflected in my words and actions. People will see Him in me, and can't help but ask. My job is to be prepared for when that happens.

If the person asking me is someone who is gay and not a Christian....I need to be prepared. If the person who is asking me is not gay, but is a Christian....I need to be prepared. Gay, straight, Christian or not, old or young, man or woman, my job is to be prepared to answer them.

And so...I sit being shy and quiet, and I let the way I live my life be my testamony. And when someone comes to me and asks me, I pray that I am prepared....no matter who it is that comes and asks me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#Free_Women: Chat Room and Message Board for Christian lesbians: Sharing the love of the Lord through chat and prayer!

In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips!!

quote:

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Originally posted by shy_and_quiet:
...

And so...I sit being shy and quiet, and I let the way I live my life be my testamony. And when someone comes to me and asks me, I pray that I am prepared....no matter who it is that comes and asks me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


#Free_Women: Chat Room and Message Board for Christian lesbians: Sharing the love of the Lord through chat and prayer!



In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips!!

---

Just what Peter said in many ways, Shy;
Be prepared to give a reason to anyone who asks for the hope that is in you. paraphrase

Oh, My Dear Shy!

You, my friend, may feel "Shy & Quiet", but in actuality, your love for God SCREAMS out of you! Look at what you do from the comfort of your own home!!!! You run the Free Women Message Board and Chat Room where many of us find comfort and friendship! You send countless emails of encouragement and prayer each week. You offer us your beautiful photographic images to bless us!

Even in your close friendships here on the East Coast of Canada, we see and hear God every single day...Just remember that sometime Silence can be deafening and what you don't say speaks tremendous volumes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you in Christ, sweet, shy one!

Carol

I re-read the posts on this thread again tonight. I have a tugging on my heart and I feel I have so much to do. The Great Commission...hmmmmm...I think it's time for me to get busy. I think I still have lots to learn about ministering to our "family" but I guess it's time that I just got going. I think they call it, 'on the job training' lol.

What are some ministries that you all are involved in?

quote:

---

Originally posted by New Song:
I re-read the posts on this thread again tonight. I have a tugging on my heart and I feel I have so much to do. The Great Commission...hmmmmm...I think it's time for me to get busy. I think I still have lots to learn about ministering to our "family" but I guess it's time that I just got going. I think they call it, 'on the job training' lol.

What are some ministries that you all are involved in?

---

There are many ways to witness and the life of a Christian certainly should be one of them. There are some other things to consider-
One of them is when Christ says that if He be lifted up He will draw all men to Him. WHile that certainly reflects His work on Calvary I think it also means just being able to thank and praise Him in public for what HE has done in our lives.


Deb's jar>
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2Cor. 4:7