Spend any amount of time on a college campus and you will see/hear and possibly join in all kinds of debates. Philosophy classes thrive on debate over morals, ethics…the seemingly “gray” areas of life. Many campus-based clubs push certain agenda’s and professors certainly push theirs in the classrooms. College is a time of expression, exploration, standing up for and landing on beliefs.
For the last 11 years or so I’ve counseled through countless “gray” areas of life, and walked with people who are struggling through one of these complex issues. That’s a major part of what it means to lead a college ministry. But in my experience there is no issue that is as complex in college ministry as that of homosexuality. College is when this is usually explored and expressed. And now it’s being debated from a doctrinal perspective more and more.
I personally can’t see any way we could affirm this behavior from a scriptural perspective. But some are fighting for another perspective and boldly standing up for it no matter the cost. Watch this video for an example…
Again, theologically, I can’t agree with this. But what about the college student who knows it’s not right or natural, but they don’t remember a time when they chose it either. I’m interested in that person that has cried out to God thousands of times for Him to take it away and He hasn’t. The college student who’s left wondering what happened, why them, and if there’s any hope of freedom. They battle the internal confusion every minute of every day and there are a million tensions they’re trying to process through – and unfortunately doing so alone.
I wonder what will happen if the church doesn’t come out soon and boldly walk with these people I just described. What I’ve seen happen is they gravitate away from scripture just because there’s an avenue (like the video represents) where they feel like they don’t have to reject God if they embrace this issue in their life.
An encouragement to you: pay the price of time with these people – I think it’s worth it.
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Chuck Bomar is pastor of Colossae Church in Portland, Oregon and founder of CollegeLeader (
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Yes, the time invested is worth it. My brother-in-law died fifteen years ago from HIV/AIDS, and came to Christ a year before his death. Way too many students walk alone in this area, and need the community of believers who offer grace and help. For years my wife and I have been ministering to those struggling with homosexuality, as well as family members who don’t know what to do. I can say it is totally worth it to put the time in and see changed lives touched by God.
In working as a waiter during college, I spent a LOT of time appologizing to my gay friends about how Christians had treated them.
Here is the real issue – to me – with gays and christianity. Christians are to be known for their love, compassion and mercy. I could use scripture references to back this up, but there are TOO many. No one can deny those things. We should be known for that.
The way the christian community has treated homosexuals is deplorable. I like you chuck, have a really hard time understanding how I can say that homosexuality isn’t falling below God’s intention for humanity. However, we’re supposed to be marked by love, not by going around and making sure those who are sinning know that they’re sinning.
To me, it’s a priority issue and it’s a fairness issue. Greed is MUCH more talked about in the scriptures, yet I bet the church in the US has more GREEDY men sitting on elder boards than gays. It isn’t fair, loving, or gracious the way we make sure that homosexuality is looked down on while allowing SO MANY other issues slide by (especially when those other issues are more frequently looked down on in scipture).
So when someone asks me my stance, I say, “I love gay people.”
****on a side note: it seems that those who are actually have friends that are gay look at the issue much differently than those who don’t know anyone from the gay community.
Very powerful. The guy has guts.
“on a side note: it seems that those who are actually have friends that are gay look at the issue much differently than those who don’t know anyone from the gay community.”
Amen, Adam. Put a face, heart, and soul to a “sinful life” and suddenly the issue becomes a lot more personal. I think it could do us all a lot of good to hang out with people of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, and ages and to love all people. I think that is what Jesus would do, love all.
Wow. Tough Issue.
1) I can’t compromise my view on scripture in an effort to support someone. I can’t change my interpretations of scripture because its uncomfortable or not seemingly nice.
2) I have some gay friends whom I love, but scripture seems to clearly speak against it.
So what do we do? On the one hand, the church missed it in the past by simply condemning sinners & calling out gays in a hateful way… but then again, I’m pretty sure a lot of these progressive preachers are also missing it by condoning sin, which is harmful for anyone.
NEITHER is the proper approach.
We must love on them and help them… but we also must let them know this lifestyle choice is destructive & harmful & against what God has for them. Its tough. I guess in my experience, the best way to approach it or any other harmful sin pattern/addiction is to spend TONS of TIME and tons of LOVE on them and try to HELP them without deserting them. Condemning them is harmful. Condoning sin is also harmful (though I know I will get slammed for this statement in this politically correct world we live in).