Today, I have cleaned up my blog-page; deleting some old nonsense and keeping some great memories. Since this blog is supposed to serve as an expression of how to best "be the Church" in a world so in need of God's peace, I'm hoping to log the growth and development of our small Anglican mission-plant, here in St. Louis, into a vital, God pleasing, Gospel beacon; in our community. Our work "on the margins" continues and this will become a showcase for what God is doing through St. Francis Mission!
So, stay tuned for updates on our latest Dennis Project outreach, and our work with our homeless friends and neighbors in need.
We are buckled up for a fun but occasionally bumpy ride. Keeping in mind, Christ's call to LOVE; we step out in faith to be the people, the church, the Christians, the neighbors that He would have us to be.
Recently, we came under a "social media attack", when a "Brother Priest" in New York state chose to use our work as an example of all this is wrong with the current state of American Anglicanism. His attack centered around out outreach to the local LGBTQ+ community and how he thought we were not being "condemning enough". His attack and those who agreed with him hurt us. But, we were resolved to move forward in God's love, to be the beacon of hope and peace that Christ has call us to be. This was my response, to the internet bullies:
Many of you have already seen some pictures from
our "Dennis Project" outreach, this past weekend, to our friends
& neighbors in LGBTQ+ community- We had so many times, this past weekend, were God just
"showed up" and hearts were melted in His love. Thanks be to Him!
2+ weeks ago, a fellow clergyman & many who follow
him, used our work with our LGBTQ+ friends as fodder for pointing out how wrong
such an outreach is. These
"brothers in Christ" stated that work like ours was harming the
Anglican Church in North America & that unless we changed our approach, we
would no longer be a part of Christian orthodoxy. This attack hurt us deeply & gave us much
to consider.
But, we were soon reminded, by our dear bishop & MANY
in our diocese that our work is God's call.
And that those who know our hearts, respect our work.
These men of malice do not walk in our shoes & we do
not see them on the front lines of loving the marginalized among us. Their educated & well defined faith does
not leave room for those they find uneasy to love. And those on the margins suffer at the hands
& words of those who have exchanged true Christian love (the very
foundation of the Gospel!) for a comfortable seat in the tall tower of their
own piety.
So, as I stood with transvestites who had never been told
that God loved them & that Jesus died so they could have eternal life; or
as my shoulder was drenched in tears as God's Holy Spirit moved in the heart of
a young man once abused terribly by church leaders; or when I told an obviously
drunk man, itching for a confrontation, that we were there only to show him
that God loved him & so do we; he turned from a man focused on a fight, to
someone asking for forgiveness & prayer.
While standing with, loving-on & respecting the dignity of these dear
people; I knew 100% that we were in the very center of where God has called us to be!
I will stand, without apology, for the value &
respect of all those on the margins of our society, I will love them, pray with
& for them and I will tell them of Jesus, who loves them more than they
know. Here I stand; I can not do
otherwise!
So, I am sure some will dislike or disrespect our
work. If so, we love them too! I hope they take a more biblical & adult
approach & come to me to air their concerns. And, I invite them to be on the inner-city
streets as we cloth & feed our homeless friends, I invite them to witness
our effort to bring peace to those with mental illness & I invite them to
come love our friends in the LGBTQ+ community.
But condemnation will not deter us, harsh hatred will not
stop us, those who know no love will not dampen our outreach! To God & God alone, be the glory!
And if you have an issue with our Gospel work; PLEASE
take it up with Him first!
Since this was posted, we have heard nothing further!
Peace!
Dan+
Vicar of St. Francis Mission!
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