Sunday night the First Church of the Nazarene (FCN) in Lemont presented to their congregation and the public a panel of speakers on Sex. Sermons on sexuality, marriage, and faithfulness are common. Youth pastors regularly answer challenging questions from teens and young adults about sex. And what Pastor has not faced a pastoral counseling session on marital unfaithfulness? But a public focus group with audience questions? That is a deeper level of edification. One might ask, “Why would a church do that?”
The Old Testament, the Gospels and Paul’s writings affirm that sex has always been an issue for the church. What is refreshing is a church unafraid to publicly speak about sex, a church unashamed to ask questions and dialogue, a church filled with the Spirit and confident enough in its relationship with God to speak about what many would say is the unspeakable.
When edified Christians know where they stand on any topic, they do not fear talking about it. Christians unafraid to speak the truth is leadership lead by the Spirit. It is the kind of Christian leadership that counts the cost and is unafraid. In today’s culture of crisis pregnancy, abortion, teen pregnancy, broken marriages, one-parent families, co-habitation, politicians, sports stars, cultural icons and media sex messages out of control, it is a joy to know there are some who are unafraid to speak truthfully through th church. It is the kind of truth that accompanies Jesus’ words from Matt. 25:25 “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
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