Evangelicalism

What Are You Wearing?

social activism

What did you eat for dinner tonight? Say you went to McDonald’s (or any fast food restaurant, or any restaurant, or even the food that you popped in the microwave). What was in your hamburger? That hamburger meat, did it come from a well cow? How do you know? Was that cow tortured? Was it injected with steroids? The lettuce and other vegetables, were pesticides poured all over it? Do you know how much processing went into your cheese? Did a happy cow make that cheese? That paper sack in comes in, how many trees were cut down to make all the bags put out that day by just one restaurant? Did you thank the people who handed you your food? Or did you complain and curse at them when they forgot your ketchup? What about the clothing you wore there? Where did you get it? Who made it? Where did they make it? What were they paid? Did they volunteer to make it, or were they forced to? Are your garments made from threads of slavery?


Americans say all the time that we are fortunate. And oh, we are, but you see we have gambled our fortune away, and I would contend that there isn’t any turning back for our country as a whole. We buy things that slaves made. We put things into our bodies that are pumped full of things that shouldn’t be going into our body. And we treat the people who serve us like crap. Why? Because it’s the norm…but does that mean it’s okay? Definitely not. We have rationalized, justified, and made excuses for our poor eating habits because things “taste good”. Am I saying that you can never eat potato chips ever again? Definitely not. I’m saying that maybe you should think about where they came from–the potatoes, the packaging, the farmers, etc. Am I telling you to go completely organic? For some this is impossible, as the price on that type of food is expensive; that is another fallacy of our country–that poison is cheaper than nourishment. And am I telling you to quit shopping at Walmart, Nike, etc? Once again, that is all that some can afford, because our country has put slavery over quality.

This is something that I have been thinking about for quite a while now. There is no way that I can possibly quit buying things that are bad for me or that were made by slaves; I am poor and America has made it impossible for me. But it is free to be a social activist and volunteer your time somewhere. It’s free to pray for the people who make your clothing and furniture for dollars a week. It’s free to be kind to people who serve you through the drive through or at the grocery store. Or how about recycling? And maybe you could make some sacrifices as well–forgo Starbucks and bring food to the homeless in your town. Downgrade your phone plan and send money to a child in a third-world country. Instead of buying a few new pairs of shoes, you could buy just one slightly more expensive pair from an organization that gives shoes to other countries. Instead of buying your loved one the newest iPod, you could give families in third world countries goats this year for Christmas. There are small things that everyone can do.

If You Believe in Change, DO IT!

christianity, youth ministry

This is a pet peeve of mine that I have had for a very very very long time, and I think it’s time I blog about it. Ha!


One of my favorite self-made quotes that I have been saying for years is, “Don’t complain about something unless you are willing to change it.”

I will always say that, and I have made an addition appropriate for the rest of this blog’s rant: “NEVER complain about something you wish to change, unless you are ACTIVELY working to change it.”

After working with four different youth groups outside of my own experience being IN a youth group, as well as listening to stories from all my friends who have BEEN in youth groups, as well as being in youth ministry classes where I hear stories ABOUT different youth groups, there is a common theme: Teenagers want change in their youth group. They want more unity. They want to be close. But they don’t want to be the one to step out of their comfort zones and change it. So they sit back and complain.

My challenge to any teenage students is this: If you want a change to happen in your youth group, YOU need to be the one to initiate it. If you know that something needs to happen, something needs to change, ask God for wisdom concerning the area. The Bible tells us that if you are lacking in that area, to ask God and that He will graciously provide. If you realize a need for change, but don’t know how to change it, ask God for discernment.

This was a short rant, but I hope that you will take this to heart and apply it to every part of your life.

Scripture in Sermons

bible, christianity, church
How much Scripture does a pastor need to use in a sermon?
I have been asking myself this question for a few months now, as I have been battling being spiritually fed by church. I would often be sitting in a church, listening to the pastor, and saying to myself, “This is nice and all, but how is this scripturally supported? What does the Bible have to say about this?” I always thought that the role of the pastor was to constantly bring the Word of God, not to present a feel-good speech once a week.
I have been a member of the same church for 15 years. I have gone since I was 5 by myself on the church van every Sunday. For me, church was my family, as they were my sources of spiritual advisement and were there for me throughout my life. I have seen three pastors there over the course. This last pastor came when I was a sophomore (?) in high school, and although he wasn’t my first pick for pastor, he was voted in. He was humorous, had funny sayings, and, like me, didn’t sugarcoat the truth. I became the first person from my church to graduate and enter ministry, and he seemed supportive, but not thrilled. I noticed by the time I had graduated that his sayings repeated, his euphemisms cycled, and his sermons has kind of fell flat. I couldn’t really explain why, but they just had. I noticed that the church was falling flat, and I couldn’t pinpoint the reasons, but I knew that it had to do with MANY different areas of the church and MANY different ministries. I was kind of glad, honestly, to be moving on to college and get away from the same old, generic stuff I was getting from my church. Two years into college, I am finally educated enough to understand why the church is declining, although I won’t get into that.
This semester, I had the opportunity to come back quite a few times over the few months for various reasons. I attended this church on Sundays, and began to discover a trend in the Pastor’s sermons…no Scripture. He would read a verse or so from the Bible, we would pray, we would sit, and then he would rant for the rest of the service. He would present points, but wouldn’t add much Scripture into those points. They were unsupported (Note: this is not ALL the time, but the majority of the time). At the end of each Sermon, I ask myself, “What is the Lord trying to tell me?” However, at the end of his sermons, I wasn’t able to answer the question, as he didn’t really talk about what the Lord said, according to Scripture.
The final straw was on Mother’s Day this year. I came home for the weekend, and the pastor’s message was about how we need to be treating our mothers—with adoration, affirmation, etc etc. However, he gave no Scripture. He mentioned one verse, then we prayed and nothing else about the Bible was said. Towards the end of the sermon, he told a story something like this (except a lot more poetic): “God and an angel were talking, and the angel was asking God how He was going to create mothers. And God said, ‘I’ll create them with 6 arms so they can do all the tasks around the house, 4 sets of eyes so they can keep their eyes on everyone at once, etc.’ The angel said, ‘And what is that running down her face? Did you create that too?’ And God replied, ‘That tear wasn’t created by me, it’s blah blah something beautiful.’” Okay, I’m not a good storyteller, but I think you get the gist. This story was completely made up and had nothing to do with Scripture, but the pastor made it sound as if it REALLY happened. He made the audience feel incredibly good, made a bunch of people say “awww”, and made MY JAW DROP. I had to be nudged to close my mouth. I felt extremely convicted to talk to him, and got up the courage to. I pulled him aside, alone, after church and tried to talk to him about the lack of Scripture in his messages. Instead of going, “Wow, I didn’t realize that. I need to investigate this and look at myself to see if this is really true. Thanks, sister.” He YELLED at me, called me arrogant, and claimed that my school was teaching me crazy things. He told me that if I needed more Scripture, to go find another church. He told me, “How dare you come into MY church so arrogantly and call ME out!” …and just many more ridiculous things… In 5 minutes I lost so much respect for this man. He pulled others from the church over and asked them if he used Scripture, and when they said no he just got furious. I talked to my youth pastor, who admitted to me that he knows the pastor uses no scripture, and told me that the reason nobody has called him out on it is because of his arrogance and temper. If you would like the whole story, I can tell you it in private, but he just made a fool out of himself. When I asked the pastor if I could call him and talk to him later that week, he told me no. When I mentioned that he could have used Proverbs 31 to back up all his points, he told me that wasn’t what the Lord led him to. So you’re telling me the Father told you to use no Scripture?
Sigh.
I have never been so upset with my church, and I have put up with a LOT from them. But it has made me think, how much Scripture is needed for a sermon? I need thoughts and opinions.
**As a side note, I want to point out that when I talked to my pastor, I was NOT arrogant. I told him that I was coming as his sister, and honestly if I was making the same mistake I would want people to come to me and let me know mine. There is an extreme lack of Scripture in many pastors and youth leaders, and I hoped that my pastor would strive to be above this. But apparently if you’re arrogant enough to not use Scripture, you’re too arrogant to examine yourself after criticism. Also, I am no longer attending that church. I need to be fed from the errorless Bible, not humans who error all the time. Pastors, let the Holy Spirit speak through you, not your own sinful self. And my prayer is that all Christians can do the same, especially when ministering.

Plant, Water, Watch :)

bible, christianity, god, youth ministry
Sent from my mobile. Enjoy.
_____________________________________________________________

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1 Cor 3:6~7.
Theme off my summer :)
Ministers, being ALL Christians, are simply God’s workers. Some plant seeds, meaning they are initially working in a person’s life. Some water those seeds, meaning they are invested in discipleship. We are all Planters at some point, & Waterers at other points. You might be a Planter & Waterer for the same person. It is inevitable that it will take multiple Waterers for even just one person.
The task isn’t easy; that’s why there’s a great reward for it. Every person who calls on the name of the Lord for salvation is called to be a Planter & Waterer. But in the end, it is God who causes growth. When a person you’ve been ministering to comes to Christ, it’s not YOU who have saved them, but the irresistible grace of God that draws them to salvation. You are indeed essential, but glory is God’s.

Sacrifice

christianity, jesus
Around 75% of America claims to be a Christian, which seems to be pretty good news (considering only 33% of the world says the same). But I wonder if we were really to examine each person’s life, how many of those lives would really exhibit their Christianity. What do I mean by that?
If you ask the majority of these 75% about what they believe, they will tell you that they believe Jesus died for them and now they won’t go to hell, but to heaven by simply believing this fact.
Thank you John 3:16, for being the only verse they know.
It takes more than believing to get you to heaven. I hope this doesn’t shock you. Jesus Christ constantly talked about the price in following Him, which is what “Christian” means—follower of Christ. Jesus told His disciples to drop everything and follow him-their jobs, families, everything. He told His followers to take up their cross daily and follow Him. He told them of the trials and persecutions they would go through when following Him. Simply believing doesn’t cut it. As James, the half-brother of Jesus, talks about in his contribution to the Bible, even the demons believe in Jesus and shudder. Satan knows Jesus as a FACT, and he definitely isn’t going to heaven.
Being a Christian means making a sacrifice for Him who made the ultimate sacrifice for you. But in our culture, we don’t want to sacrifice anything. We are self-centered and don’t understand the importance in putting others before our own self, so no wonder it doesn’t carry over to our faith. I know so many people who genuinely love Christ and believe that He made the ultimate sacrifice for them, but don’t want to do anything about it. They don’t want to change their life, or even make changes to their life. But guess what? Being a follower of Christ means that you are going to have to make changes. This means that you might have to change your group of friends, or even your boy/girlfriend. You might not be able to go to the same places, either physically or even on the internet.
But we don’t want to do that, do we? That’s just too hard. Well how hard is it to live a completely pure life? Be completely and purely sinless. Preach God’s commandments to thousands upon thousands, then get accused of heresy. You are put on a bogus trial for these heresies, and get sentenced to death. Ha, but you know this was your purpose, your destiny, and you take it. You die for the whole world, but it doesn’t stop there. You raise from the dead and reiterate your love and intimate desire for a relationship with the same people who killed you before descending into heaven. The ultimate sacrifice, huh? Maybe sacrificing a few things doesn’t seem so bad now.

A Youth Minister’s Rant…

christianity, youth ministry

What is knowledge if we cannot apply it?


This has been a question I have been asking myself a lot since I have been in college. I go to a very religious school, and spend all my time in the theology department with a lot of very intelligent people. But these people come off very arrogant to the rest of the school. There is the cliche that Biblical Studies majors are a bunch of arrogant jerks. Why is that? Because they sit around talking doctrine and theology all day and don’t seem to be very nice when it comes to the practical matters of life. Because when they see someone stumble, they’re on their case. Because they are extra judgmental. This, to me, is a problem. (especially since I know a lot of BS majors that are sweethearts.)

A brother of mine who is a BS major told me that he thought youth ministry majors need to switch to BS, a “real major”. Youth ministers today prove to be idiots time and time again because they don’t have enough knowledge about the Bible to minister to their youth, and don’t know theology and doctrine like they should. If they want to be effective in ministry, they need to be as intelligent as possible in the area of the Bible. As true as this is, this proves to me how arrogant BS majors can be.

Don’t get me wrong, I COMPLETELY agree that if you are in ministry, you need to understand the Bible and try to gain as much knowledge as possible. But my thing is, what is the point if you have all this knowledge but can’t apply it? I know a guy who when he talks to teenagers, all he comes off as is brilliant…and over their heads. He cannot relate to them as teenagers because he was never taught how. Now this is where I defend the youth ministry program–the program at SBU teaches you how to relate to teenagers, gives you Adolescent Development class so you can learn where teenagers are cognitively/spiritually/physically/etc, and also provides a group of others going into the same field who can provide advice and such.

But my purpose isn’t to defend the youthmin department. No, I want to give you guys two verses that I have found to be true since being in ministry:

1 Corinthians 8: “Knowlege makes arrogant, but love edifies.” (NIV: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”)

How can we minister with just knowledge? It takes more. If we are just spitting out all of our knowledge, how is that going to reach them? It takes more.
(In all fairness, the chapter context discusses food sacrificed to idols, but I think this applies to all things if you read the verses to follow. Plus, it’s basic human truth.)

1 Corinthians 9:19-22: For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

Dr. Malone LOVES talking about the Indigenous Church–how if we are going to reach people, WE need to reach them at THEIR level. That means learning to talk like them, act like them, and learning about their culture and environment. Teens have their own culture, and honestly you have to learn how to relate to that. It isn’t something that comes naturally.

So in summary of this rant… Remember that knowledge isn’t everything. It’s important, yes. But how are you going to reach people if you can’t relate to them? Having knowledge creates a separation between you and that person, it doesn’t bring you closer. So learn how to balance book knowledge with practical knowledge.

(and don’t put down youth ministry majors!)

Even when I am not faithful…

christianity, faithfulness, god, testimony
God is incredibly faithful. I know this sounds like a cliché thing to say, but it is so incredibly true. At camp last week, I had the opportunity of taking an extra class with some of my high school girls that I’m leading as an intern this summer at a church. The class was called Digging Deeper, and it was about digging deeper into the Word of God and how to study it. The young lady who led the class said something that stuck with me—Having a relationship with Christ is more than believing IN Him, but BELIEVING Him. Duh! Haha. But I needed this to become true in my life.
One night at camp I was talking to God as I was falling asleep. I began to thank Him for a particular person that He put in my life that has become a spiritual brother to me, who has been constantly affirming me and speaking Truth. As I was talking to God, I stopped and started to cry. I realized that He answered my prayers, in more ways than I even thought! Going into this summer, some of my biggest prayers were for women to be in my life as disciplers and mentors. There were a few women from the church who were small group leaders for the high school girls. Throughout the week they were encouraging and inspirational to me, and lifted me up constantly. I realized that the Lord answered my prayer, which really has been something I have wanted my whole life. I have never really had women in my life as spiritual advisors (I’ve had two—my old youth leader who left my life in the eighth grade and my old boss. We could also maybe count my grandma). What a blessing from the Lord! And at the end of the week, one of the women told me that she wanted to continue a relationship with me. I am entirely in awe of this. I can’t even believe that this is happening. I mean, I SHOULD believe it, because I KNOW from experience and Scripture that MY GOD can do ANYTHING!
I could use prayer in one area—I need to be more confident in my knowledge. I am incredibly intelligent and have a lot of potential, but I am not exercising that. I am dumbing myself down and constantly telling myself how unfit I am as a teacher and discipler. I know that the Lord has incredibly equipped me for the jobs He has me doing. I trust in that. But I need confidence in it. I am a great teacher. I know how to relate to students. I love to study. I have lots of knowledge and even wisdom (I am not trying to boast in this, I have only obtained this through the Lord’s equipping of me and seeking after Him for it). It’s time for me to be confident in it. I am NOT a ditz. I think critically and philosophically, time to show it! I know this seems like an odd request, but I could use some prayer warriors for this :).

I’m a Saint!

christianity, music

This song has really been speaking to me lately. I feel like it tells my story in a way that I can’t!

Here are the lyrics to the song, listen to it here.
Used to be where I could only trust me and myself

And then that heavy metal devil that could send ’em straight to Hell wit it
Thought it was no helpin’ it, my selfishness was celibate
I sell a bit but I make sure I don’t sit up in that cell a bit
I’d yell a bit but only when hurt came for certain
Illiterate, ain’t know that the Word came
But then that that Word hit me and unblinded me
Jesus paid a price for me
That’s how I gained the right to be the son of God I’d like to be
Changed my heart, gave me a desire for His work man
Kill me if you want but I’m gone get back up out that dirt man
Not yet what I’m gonna be, but not what I used to be
I bless His name forever who would choose me and start usin’ me
Used to love my sinnin’ fulla greed and fulla hate
I might say that I love Jesus, but that talk was really fake
I’d be lustin’ for ya cousin if it wasn’t for His grace
Yeah He took me outta nothin’ and He made ya boy a saint

Hook:
Yeah they tell me sugar coat it, dumb it down, but I can’t
Might as well deny the Christ, be ashamed, but I ain’t
I’m a saint (x8)
Til the day I see the grave I’m going hard in the paint
It’s the only hope we got that’s why I’ll die for the faith
I’m a saint (x8)

You got to understand Jesus agreed back in eternity
To sign a bloody covenant and take a deadly turn for me
He ain’t just agree, He fulfilled it to the death of Him
He took that bloody cup that’s meant for us straight to the neck again
Swallowed all that bitterness, pain and affliction
Ain’t a soul in Hell with pain comparable to this one
Brought me to repentance, homie I’m blood-purchased
And daily I’m conformed to His holiness, so I worship
Jesus finished the work, He resurrected on high
That means He beat death and best believe so will I
See some believe they can fly, but I believe I can die
Resurrect, leave the earth and live forever with God
He will march through the sky while the stars sing His praises
The planets dance around while the universe is amazed and
Me, I get to gaze upon His beauty for days
Man if I could be anything baby I’d be a saint

Hook

Now you might think I’m crazy like some kinda urban misfit
But first I hated church, I’d only pray to give my wish list
I’d be just like you, doin’ my dance up in the club, folk
I promise I ain’t it choose it, I was chosen to be loved on
Eyes low, blowing dro, that’s the life I used to know
But Jesus chopped me up and slowed me down just like that Houston flow
A dead man until somebody hit me with the hardest facts
The Gospel hit my heart, I guess that’s what you call a heart attack
I’m looking at Ephesians 2, like what did Jesus see in you?
It’s nothin’, by His grace He chose to love on folk like me and you
And I don’t understand it, homie, I never planned it
I was chasing money and fast women and man
Then I met the great I AM, Son of Man, or the Lamb
Snatched ya boy up outta Hell, and got me workin’ for His plans
Used think I was the man till I met Him
All that arrogance and pride, I dead ’em and fo’get ’em
I’m a saint

Hook

My long-awaited post on SoulForce

lgbtq
Here it is, the long-awaited post about SoulForce Equality Ride. I have been writing this blog since before they even came! This will discuss who SoulForce is, the preparations made for their arrival, the events of the day, the controversial outcome, and my thoughts. This is one long post :)

In case you don’t know what it is, the Equality Ride is a division of SoulForce, and their mission is to go around the country in a huge megabus “in pursuit of justice for transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people through engagement of action. This year’s ride will stop at 16 campuses in the Northeast, South, and Midwest–all with policies that are discriminatory to LGBTQ students. The ride in 2010 places a special focus on community work and will engage with campuses and their surronding communities. We will partner in volunteer work, host organizing forums, link students with communitiy members, and support existing justice work.”

They chose my school, Southwest Baptist University, because we have policies that they feel are discriminatory to LGBTQ students. According to page 7 of our Student Handbook, “Scripture teaches that heterosexual union is the only acceptable expression of sexuality and must be reserved for marriage and insists on sexual abstinence for those who are unmarried…All members of the University family should abstain from unbiblical sexual practices and from behavior which may lead to a violation of God’s standards on sexual activities.” When you are planning on coming to SBU, you sign a contract that says you will abstain from “premarital sex, extramarital sex, and homosexual behavior.” The contract also has other rules you are to follow as well (look at page 6 of the contract). If you don’t follow the contract, you are subject for dismissal. Rob Harris, the Dean of Students, told some faculty and students that in his five years as Dean, nobody has been dismissed for homosexuality. I, personally, stand by SBU’s view of sexuality as I believe that it is what Scripture teaches. I think that the policy is fair, as it doesn’t just target specific sins, it covers a lot more as well (read the student handbook for more).

SBU prepared for this visit for months. The Administrators did a lot of research, a lot of work, and a lot of praying. There were three panel discussions put forth open for all students on campus: (1) What the Bible says about homosexuality, (2) Homosexuality related to behavioral sciences, and (3) Interacting and conversing with individuals who have a different worldview. All of the sessions were extremely informative, extremely challenging, and just plain good!

SBU also asked for student hosts to hand out with the Riders all day. They talked to other universities who had done this, as well as plan an itinerary. The day went smoothly for all the other campuses, so SBU imitated this model. I automatically wanted to be a host because I think that I am one of the most least-judging and most easy-going people on campus. I had a lot of homosexual friends in high school, and I had a lot of questions about it in general. Plus, if I want to be a youth minister, I need to learn as much as I can about as many different things as I can, especially different worldviews. So that was my thinking :)

My biggest worry going into the actual day was the conservative people on campus who had never met a homosexual before. In my high school, as I mentioned previously, we had a good number of open homosexuals. I had good practice of treating them like everyone else because it was just normal for me. Very early in the school year, I went to Springfield with a friend from high school and a good friend I had made here. We were meeting up with two friends from high school, one who was openly gay. My friend here had never met a gay man before, which blew my mind! So if there was one person who had never met a gay man (or at least an open one) before college, there is no telling how many more there were. She didn’t know how to act or what to say, but I assured her that he is just like her–normal. I think it was a big learning experience for her. But I was very afraid that many people here wouldn’t know what to say or would say something rude out of ignorance. That is why there were sessions to educate. Days in advance people were increasing these fears, as there were a few students who said things out of ignorance…but don’t worry, you can be assured that I set them straight.

Okay, so we’re finally to Wednesday, the big day. That morning all of the hosts met bright and early at 8:15 in the Administration building. We prayed, and then met the Riders (who were 10 minutes early! Which made me happy–more talk time before I had to go to class!). I was one of the people who jumped into shaking hands, talking, and learning names. I had read and prayed over their profiles located on the SoulForce website before they came so that I would know a little bit about them before we met.

We talked a bit, mostly just open conversations getting to know each other. I had to go to class, so I’m not sure what happened in the board meeting.

After class there was chapel (missions week!). We had worship, and then this in-your-face speaker gave a message. I didn’t entirely agree with him, but that happens a lot. After chapel, all of the Riders were crying, hugging each other, and looked very upset. I was so confused. We went out of the Forum (quad) and the Riders got the opportunity to talk to students. Isaiah talked to the Stahl Twins and I about why we wanted to be hosts. Then she asked us what we thought about the speaker. She said that the speaker highly upset her. He spoke about missions, but she looked at it as our school is trying to go into countries and Americanize them. She was really upset that our university thought we could just go into any country we want and shove the Bible down their throats without regard to their culture. I explained to her that our school is very missions-oriented, and that it is something we are passionate about (after all, we are #1 in the country for sending out mission teams!). The purpose of Intercultural Studies (Missions) Major is to educate future missionaries on how to meet different cultures where they are and give them the Gospel in a way that meets their needs. After I finished explaining it, I guess she realized she was wrong, because she asked me where the bathroom was.

When I got back, I saw Sabrina talking to a few of the football players. I saw them sitting on the sidelines earlier when I was talking to Isaiah, and I was surprised they were there. Athletes very rarely come to events on our campus. I later found out that she was talking to them about the diversity on campus (more on that later).

Next, we had lunch. We went to our private dining facility, where lunch was closed to only student and faculty hosts. The purpose of this, I think, was to have more honest conversation and less distractions (and so we could have good food!). I immediately began talking to Mia, a transgender woman (meaning she was born a man and now is living her life as a woman). She explained what transgender and transsexual mean. I ate lunch with her, another rider named Heather (who had a cute purse and was just plain adorable), Brandi (one of my closest friends), Kara (who lives across the hall from me), and Ms. Brashears (a counselor at school). Mia had very honest conversation with us, as did Heather. Heather asked Ms. B about this scenario: If a student came to Ms. B, saying they want to change from the homosexual lifestyle, what would be Ms. B’s reaction? Ms. B said that she would talk to them about where this attraction came from, where the decision to change came from, and help that person work through it. Heather hated that answer (which I thought was a very good one), and proclaimed that that person could not change who they were, so why would Ms. B participate in trying to change them? There were so many programs that were ruining lives and causing suicides from forcing gays to change. Ms. B pointed out that in the scenario, the person wanted to change. She believed that if a person wanted to change, they could change, no matter what it was they wanted to change. Heather was very adamant in saying that Ms. B was wrong. I thought the whole conversation was ridiculous, and that Heather was very forceful with her opinions. Mia, Brandi, and I just started having our own conversation about Mia’s life as a transgender. She informed me on a lot of things that I was ignorant about, not by my choosing. I learned a lot from her. I also had the opportunity to meet Brian, whose profile I read and was impressed with. He was a very solid guy, and had a lot of interesting things to say, a lot of which I agreed with. He told me I was cute :). I could tell that by this time, people were comfortable talking to each other, and that Mia and possibly Brian were both comfortable with me.

Next we had discussion with faculty. One thing by this time I noticed was that we were taking the long way around campus. I knew that there was a person who has handicapped and in a wheel chair, but all of the riders were taking the handicapped route around campus, even when Colin wasn’t around. I realized that the Riders were family, and I had great respect for them. I also realized that SBU is not very easily handicapped-accessible, that in order to get places you had to walk completely out of the way in some cases.

Discussion was easy-going again, at least on my part. I loved talking to Mia. I realized, though, that other riders were comforting each other through out the day. From mingling with others, I saw the sensitivities of some of the riders when dealing with students, so I didn’t think anything big out of them comforting each other. Obviously, we disagree on things, and that can be stressful. So I didn’t think anything big of it.

We went to the panel next…probably the most stressful part of the day. There were 5 Riders on panel (Stuart, Brian, Jess, Lindsay, and Andrew), along with 3 of our faculty {Dr. Manis (phiolosophy), Dr. Reeves (new testament and Dean of the College of Theology), Ms. Langford (Honors Program Director)},and 2 students (Lydia Nebel and Mallory Roth).

The questions were reviewed before asking. Both sides participated in each question. In the end, there were a few frustrating results. Stuart said that he could never be friends with someone who didn’t affirm his homosexuality and didn’t agree with his views. To him, that is how you love someone–you affirm everything about them. Langford disagreed, saying that when you love someone, you don’t always have to agree with everything they do. In fact, you should be able to discuss the things you disagree on with the people you love. The Equality Riders defined oppression as basically disagreement–people who disagree with homosexuality are oppressors.

I was really excited that Brian was one of the panelists because his profile made him sound super intelligent about the Bible. However he didn’t say much of intellectual merit, but was very emotional about the whole situation. I sat there and cried whenever he spoke. Looking back, I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to talk to him about anything intellectual. But he definitely made me emotional about the oppression that the queer community has been put through.

Another big moment was when Jess said, “God made me exactly the way I am.” Her point was that God made her in His image, that she is perfect just the way she is. Manis pointed out that none of us are perfect, that none of us are the way that God wants us to be. We are all sinful, so to say that God affirms us in our sin is wrong. Also, the riders seem to find their identity in this sin, but if one is a Christian, they should find their identity in Christ, not their sin. In the end, it all came down to the same disagreement: The Riders do not find homosexuality a sin, even if they are a Christian. SBU says that the Bible specifically calls out homosexuality (or homoeroticism) a sin.

After that we said our goodbyes, and as I held back my tears I hugged Mia. I started crying, and I had to go back to my room because I just couldn’t watch the bus leave. I lied on my bed in my room for three hours, numb. I cried and prayed and asked God a lot of questions. The people I met that day had a lot of hurt bottled up inside of them. They were honest with us, and vulnerable. I questioned God about homosexuality, but mostly I just lied there with His arms wrapped around me. I posted on the Equality Ride’s Facebook Page:

Heather Lea Campbell

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Heather Lea Campbell You guys DEEPLY touched me today at SBU. I thank you for the opportunity to have dialog about things that I as well as others were ignorant about. I also would like to thank you for your vulnerability with us; for sharing your stories with us as well as your beliefs that are different from ours. I applaud your bravery and courage on this Equality Ride. I hope that you will gain the love and respect of more people in the campuses to follow as you did mine.

♥

Wed at 6:02pm · · · Report

I finally decided to get up, make some sweet tea, and move on with my life somewhere around 7:30ish. I went to the bathroom for some water and I hear Kellie and Natalie talking. They asked me how I thought the day went, and I said well. They asked me if I knew about the protest. I was confused…WHAT protest? They continued to tell me the following: We were told we were the worst school they had ever been to. The Riders called Kurt Caddy (head of missions) racist. They verbally attacked Rob Harris. Over the next day I learned more and more. A rider posted a blog posted about the whole thing. We were attacked about a lot of different things. I don’t encourage you to read it, but if you would like to, go ahead. I can barely think or look at it anymore. It made me absolutely sick to my stomach.

Some other riders posted things all over their facebooks:
“Jaxon Feels like I’m at church camp… So weird, makes me concerned for these students!!!”
“Despina experienced highly spiritual violence today at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri….. actually experienced what the students are experiencing for the 4 years in this University every day…. i heard everything today…….my prayers and thoughts are with all these students that suffer in silence and suppress their feelings and their identity…..”
“Mac is listening to love songs and trying to let all of the spiritual violence he endured today drain out of his heart…”
“Isaiah’s soul feels uneasy. Southwestern Baptist was the most spiritually violent school we have encountered yet. I am broken.”
“Mia had a crazy day today at SBU…I am uber tired now, but much work to be done.”
I’m very good at getting information that I want off of Facebook…but we know this ;)

Well, that is all of the information. And I’m processing. Here are my thoughts:
I am deeply sad. I have a deep place in my heart for social rights and activism, and this group is a poor example of one. Their message was one of love, and taught against oppression. Their definition of oppression is disagreement. If I disagree with you, then that is oppressing you. Webster defines oppression as an “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.” In the end, they oppressed SBU. They used their authority as an activist group to force themselves on our campus and tell their opinions of us as a university. They would have came whether we let them or not. They showed no mercy in giving us their opinion of us. They didn’t care about what we had to say, wouldn’t process it, and at the end of the day told us we couldn’t be friends because we didn’t agree. They looked at everything with tinted glasses–if you are wearing blue glasses, everything you see will be tinted blue. They were extra-sensitive coming to campus. They were looking for specific things, and saw them. I really do think that they believe what they are saying about our campus, don’t get me wrong. But they sought out the things on campus that they claim. Just like when you read the Bible, if you are wearing those tinted glasses, you can make the Bible justify what you believe. The solution is to take off your glasses, and try to understand what the author is trying to say, what the true message is. SBU took of their glasses for SoulForce. Students and Faculty took the day to educate themselves, to understand SoulForce’s message. We did not force our opinions, we learned about theirs. And at the end of the day, we didn’t agree. I think what frustrated the Riders the most is that although we disagreed, SBU showed them love. This does not line up with their view of “love”–that we must affirm their acts. So they retaliated. Lydia and I talked about how sometimes we get sooo angry when we are expecting someone to be mad at us for something we did, but they love us. We hate that! So then we try to pick at them. SoulForce did that to us.

Should we disregard everything they said? Heck no! There are lessons to be learned from all of this, there is growing that has and is still taking place on our campus. I understand that we are a conservative college whose students as a whole need to learn more about different cultures and get out of the ignorant bubble that they have grown up in. But that doesn’t mean that we struggle with sexism, ableism, racism, etc. There just needs to be more education and growing experiences. Everybody on campus can sit there and complain about what the Riders said, but nobody wants to think critically about it. At this point, my motto kind of rings in my head–“Never complain about something unless you are willing to change it.”

I think that SoulForce’s visit helped the education. SoulForce may have negated their message of love and justice with their protest/vigile. However, we should take away from this the need to educate ignorance and create “safe places” for discussion about all kinds of issues.


**The purpose of this blog post is NOT to diss the SoulForce Equality Ride. It is to educate outsiders of what happened here at SBU. This has been a big event in my life, and I need to express what happened in my own way. I am still processing a lot of things that happened, but I feel like I’m finally at a point where I can post this. Again, if you are reading this and going, “Man, that group sucks!”, quit. And look at the things in your life that make you suck more. I want to grow from this, but I want others to as well. Also, I want to thank those who have been constantly affirming me in the last few weeks. You guys have really helped me in my processing.

Faith VS Apathy

bible, christianity, faith

I struggle a lot with apathy…or at least I thought it was apathy. I didn’t understand why so much was going on in my life, but I didn’t seem really effected by it. My heart hurt, but I wasn’t reacting the way that I used to, the way I thought I should. I was getting lazy towards the amount of time I spent with God, lazy getting into His Word. I thought I was a horrible Christian. When I asked God to break me, I was hoping that it would be a way for Him to break me out of my apathy. But, as you read in my last post, Him breaking me realized how much trust I had in Him! Which made me think, was I apathetic, or just completely trusting that He had my back? Was my apathy not apathy, but faith?


Hebrews says that faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of the things we do not see. Apathy can be defined as an absence of emotion or enthusiasm. They don’t really sound the same there. Faith is hopeful and very emotional, while Apathy is the feeling (or non-feeling) of uncertainty and carelessness.

Matthew 6:25-30:

25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This shows us that faith is when you trust in the Lord so much, that you don’t worry and don’t care about what is going on around you. It can be mistaken for apathy in that you aren’t overly emotional about your heartaches. You aren’t over-dramatizing things. You aren’t constantly thinking about hardships. Faith is when you give it up to God and believe that He can take care of you when you can’t see the end results of hurts and struggles…knowing that He is sovereign and understanding over your situation. Fully trusting in Him. Is that hard? Heck yes. Is it apathy? Heck no. Not worrying about something is not automatically apathy. I understand that now.
Apathy is not caring, but Faith is letting God take care.