A gay in the life of a minister: a modern day parable

A minister was walking through the city on his way home when a gang attacked him. They kicked and beat him, stole his wallet, watch and even his clothes. They left him dying and bleeding on the road… they had taken everything.

A local priest walked near and, seeing the dying man, quickly crossed to the other side of the road …after all he was due at the church soon to run confession.

A lay Pentecostal minister upon seeing the man did the same thing… offering a quick prayer to appease his conscience as he crossed on the other side. God would understand...he was a busy man with a large ministry team to look after.

Next came a local gay activist. Only two weeks before he’d been denied communion by the very minister lying before him. He went to him, stopped the bleeding with his shirt and took off his coat to keep the dying man warm. He picked him up, put him in his car despite the fresh blood soaking the car seats and drove him to the nearest hospital where he stayed with him during the night.

The next day he gave the hospital staff $300 to give to the man for new clothes giving them his credit card details in case he needed more.

So who was a neighbour to the bashed minister?

OK so we’ve all heard this story before in a slightly different version. Then it was the ‘despised’ Samaritan who got voted in as best neighbour… this new version isn’t really all that shocking… is it? so what am I trying to say? What was Jesus trying to say?

I’ve often wondered who the modern day equivalents are to some of Jesus’ parables. A number of years ago I read a book called ‘One Blood’ about the history of mission to the Australian aboriginals (which the church really stuffed up in its arrogance) and 100 years ago I’d have suggested sub’ing the indigenous for the Samaritans. They were despised, seen as ‘evil’ lesser human beings and terribly mistreated…much like the modern gay/lesbian by the church (and ‘redneck’ society in general).

The context for Jesus parable was teaching around the greatest commandment… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; and love your neighbour as yourself.” This was “more important than all burnt offerings or sacrifices”… or to translate to modern times more important than church buildings, services, music, PA’s, communion, bible studies etc.

LOVE LOVE LOVE ...EVERYONE EVERYONE EVERYONE… AS YOURSELF AS YOURSELF AS YOURSELF. MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING CHURCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING CHURCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING CHURCH

My point is IMHO our modern western evangelical churches, and yes most of those in them, have lost the ‘heart’, the ‘love’, the ‘grace’ to all people, all of creation, all of the time. Instead they're busy focussed on buildings, awesome music, services, attendances, key success criteria, baptisms etc. Yet the very heart of the matter is what it’s all about…

When was the last time you donated to AIDS care, attended a gay/lesbian rally to show your support for those who are alienated from our society or even allowed yourself to see the gay community as your neighbour? Have you ever listened to a gay friend's story or supported the campain against the 'corrective' rape of lesbian women by religious zealots in South Africa? What's got your priority? Love God and love your neighbour as yourself… simple really!

Cheers again Scott :)