NPC# 16: Andrew Marin- Building Bridges with the Gay and Lesbian Community*

1. “Right from the gate you can’t relate!”

As heterosexuals we cannot understand what it is like to have a same sex attraction.

We have to understand that we can’t ever understand! To build bridges with GBLT community, we have to be humble learners.

As Christians we need to admit that the culture war between our two communities is our fault.

2. Identity vs. Behavior

We are not what we do, but this I how the church see the GLBT Community. Here the identity has become the behavior.

If we are the come as you are culture, we need to accept people “as they are!”

3. The Marin Foundation (www.themarinfoundation.org)
86% of the GBLT Community were raised in a denominationally based religion.
74% drop out of all religion

Why?
17% stance of homosexuality
16% religion is distrustful, deceitful and hypocritical
15% not interested
12% disagree with general doctrine apart from homosexuality
10% don’t believe in a higher power.
These are all experiential factors!

What would influence you to return to the church?
62% “absolutely nothing!” But 38% of the GBLT Community would return to the church.
18% Patience and time.
7% Religious environment presented in a “non-judgmental community.”
2.4% Support of friends and family.
2.4% Felt God’s love.
1.2% Able to understand the teaching.

None of these asked the church to change what they believe. Doctrine is not the issue! We should be doing all this stuff anyway!!!

Two ways to build bridges:
Don’t treat gay people like a gay person who wants to know God. Treat gay people like a normal people who are seeking to know God.
Don’t talk about their sexuality out of every passage.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and mine is to love!
What is love?
“Love is a tangle and measurable expression of an unconditional behavior.”

The Marin Foundation’s 16 to Building Bridges within the GLBT Community:
1. Commitment
2. Intentionality- Be Bold
3. Mind-frame shift
4. Crossroads
5. Oneness
6. Great Christian debate
7. Think big picture
8. Come with an inquisitive approach
9. Trust and Transparency
10. Don’t “no” them, but “know” them
11. Glass half full
12. God’s timetable
13. Don’t be scared to be yourself
14. You are not the solution to salvation
15. Street credibility
16. Always answers the tough questions: biblical or not

Don’t use “homosexuality” or “lifestyle.” Use “Gay/Lesbian Community” or “GLBT Community” and “orientation.”


*See handout for more information.