Justice and Respect Letters
From a Ministry Director
to Chuck Colson
by Mike Jones (Nov
4, 1999)
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Justice and Respect Letters |
Mike Jones is the co-director of Corduroy Stone ministry, an Exodus International applicant ministry sponsored by University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. Because of his concern for the rejection and danger faced by same gender attracted youth, he participated in a Bridges Across workshop at the Midwest Regional Conference of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Teachers Network. It was a courageous step in reaching out to work with pro-gays to address a mutually recognized problem -- the suffering faced by today's same-gender attracted and sexually- questioning youth. These are the vulnerable ones who are caught in the cross-fire of fighting between the sides, who experience fear and grief on a daily basis, with no one to even acknowledge the difficulties they are facing. I appreciate his initiative in this area. Many gay and pro-gay people lament that conservatives don't seem to care about them because of all the seemingly insensitive statements. And while there are politicians on both sides who are more invested in the conflict than in any mutually beneficial solutions, I believe the vast majority of conservatives are simply doing the best they (we) can to deal with the things they know, and to deal with them honestly and in good conscience. That's why it is important for those of us who work in ministries reaching out to persons in conflict with acting upon their homosexual attractions need to bring information about what it is really like to be same-gender attracted, and what it is like to feel so incredibly alone and abnormal, entirely on the basis of sexual feelings we have. And this is why Mike's letter to Chuck Colson is so important: it provides him with a vantage point he would, as an "ever- straight", never otherwise have. This is the letter which Mike Jones sent to Chuck Colson concerning the Breakpoint commentary on the Lynchburg meeting between the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Rev. Mel White. Copyright © 1999 by Sonia Balcer If you quote from this article on your website, please include a link. If you wish to use the article in a print publication, write to me for permission. To participate in cross-divide dialogue, check out Bridges Across the Divide and the link to "Journeys List and Web Forums."
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Dear Chuck, In response to your article: BreakPoint Commentary #91105 - 11/05/1999 "Toning Down the Rhetoric: Jerry Falwell's Initiative" by Charles Colson -- I support your comments here. In some past issues of BreakPoint, I have been uncomfortable with the comments that were presented and I wrote to BreakPoint about them. I had felt from those articles that the same attitude that Jerry Falwell had been expressing, was being expressed here. I believe the reason Jerry finally met with Mel and the two of them had the dialogue they did, was because Mel, not Jerry, continued to pursue it. I would encourage you to pursue Mel with the same vigor he pursued Jerry, if you seek the same effect as you stated below:
Jones: I requested to be on Mel's email list to do just this, two years ago. I have also written Mel and carefully described my points of discomfort with his rhetoric. I do not carry the position in society that you do. He listened and responded to me, suggesting that I read his book, Stranger at the Gate, before we dialogue further. I will get to that this winter, so that I can continue the dialogue. Mel attended the Exodus International North America annual conference this year, at his request, and the approval of the Exodus Board. He was not convinced that his position was incorrect, but he listened to what was presented and he was treated with respect by those who also attended. He discouraged the pro-gay Christians in the Chicago area from protesting the Exodus event. The protest that did occur was small, quiet and unconfrontative. I have been reading BreakPoint for a couple years now. The reason I wrote to BreakPoint earlier is that I felt the same activity was taking place in the materials that BreakPoint was printing as you point out below that you wished Mel would not be associated with:
Jones: I wish to be able to say that Chuck Colson and his staff understand the issue of homosexuality and desire to help and encourage Christians who are wrestling with this issue in their own lives. There are probably more people in the U.S. who are Christians, who believe homosexual behavior is wrong, but who have homosexual attractions, than there are people who openly say they are either gay or lesbian. I understand the tension of working to encourage biblical values in a democratic society and still being seen as respectful of individuals who disagree with my position. I hope you can appreciate the discomfort I feel when I hear the lack of greater care taken in regards to blanket statements about all individuals who experience homosexual attractions. I hope that I will see greater care taken by the BreakPont staff in addressing this issue in the future in BreakPoint articles. As referenced by the following statement:
Jones: I am well aware that people will suspect that there is a link as you presented above. But part of the reason they do, is because of the less that sensitive way homosexuality is generally addressed by Christians today. And thus, as you stated below:
Jones: I have found that BreakPoint has also fallen short of the biblical model of presenting what Christians can do to support their brothers and sisters in Christ who desire to be obedient to the scriptures as they have been understood since they were written, but who still wrestle, maybe even daily, with homosexual temptations. I know how it feels to be lashed by pro-gay Christians. So, I can appreciate where you are coming from in writing the following:
Jones: But it was when I went to those people and began direct dialogue with them, that they began to respect me, and to reconsider what they would be saying about me in the future. Show that you still respect Mel, as a brother in Christ, even if he completely disagrees with you on this issue and even if he is in a committed gay relationship with Gary Nixon. It may be that this is exactly what Mel was searching for many years ago, when he was still asking the Lord to help him in his struggle against homosexuality, when he could not find a safe place within the church to go for help and support. I encourage you to go to him, Chuck. Mel will be grateful that you took the initiative. Do the very thing you suggested in your article:
Jones: Make every effort to seek Mel out, and have direct dialogue with him. Do more than express your desire to do so here, in this format. The richest blessings may be planned for you, as you step out in faith. You wrote in closing:
Jones: Go to him with the truth, but go. Walk the street in his direction. Sincerely yours in Christ, Mike Jones |
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Site created 10-5-1999, Page 11-26-99. Updated 11-26-1999.