Defending LGBTQ Christians

is a difficult task to perform when critics of the LGBTQ community insist on using theological double standards.

I challenge those double standards in my online commentary LGBTQ+ Christians are real.

As I see it, it is a waste of time to get into a debate with LGBTQ critics who are closed to receiving data that conflicts with what they believe. Sometimes, it is better to walk away from critics and rely on the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts.

Believe it or not, the Holy Spirit is fully capable of doing such a thing. I know so because the Holy Spirit did such a thing with me.

In my case, the Good Lord delivered me,

"From the cowardice that dares not face new truth,

from the laziness that is contented with half truth,

from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth."*

I used to misunderstand the LGBTQ community, but later I realized that I could be missing something. 

Finally, a thought occurred to me: 

Who would choose a sexual orientation that has historically resulted in one being on the receiving end of all kinds of verbal and physical abuse? As one cartoon dog says, "It just don't add up!"

That one thought prompted me to research more about the LGBTQ community. One result of that research is that I am now a United Methodist. 

I cannot in good conscience be a member of a church that has one "gospel" for people inside the LGBTQ community and another "gospel" for people outside the LGBTQ community.

No, the United Methodist Church is not perfect. I keep encountering United Methodists who express beliefs that I disagree with. However, I keep in mind something that John Wesley says in his Sermon 39: "Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?"

So, as a UMC Certified Lay Servant, I share a Gospel that is the same for all people regardless of their sexual orientation or sexual identity.

If people outside the LGBTQ community criticize me for doing so, then so be it.

I would rather be criticized for who I include than be complimented for who I exclude.

[*Prayer from Kenya, Page 597, The United Methodist Hymnal]