If you did not know, October 11, 2012 was set aside by the homosexual community as Coming Out Day. It is a day set aside for those who have come out (admitted their homosexual desires to others) of the proverbial closet to remember that event and for those who have not done it yet to take that step. Coming out is seen as a cultural right of passage in the community.
Let me suggest that October 14th, 2012 is a chance for those struggling with homosexual desires to come out in the Church. Actually any Sunday (or any day) would work to do this with one’s pastor. One of the sad realities of which the church must repent is this: the church in large part has not and still does not provide enough safe space for those struggling with these desires to come out in the Church.
Let me be clear. Coming Out Day for the homosexual community is a day set aside to rejoice in homosexuality and the choice to embrace it as one’s most central identity. Coming Out Sunday is a day (any day really) in which homosexuality is mourned and confessed to God. It is placed down right along with all of the other sins laid at the foot of the cross. It is admitted and confessed in the sure and certain hope of forgiveness and life.
Here is the point: the church must say to those struggling with these impure desires, you can talk about it in the church. You can confess it without any added shame. We, pastor and people, will stand with you in the struggle. We will not treat your sin as different than ours. We will acknowledge you as simply one of us, people struggling with impurity and understanding there is only One who can cleanse us and make us holy.
The Church must repent itself of the fact that it is many ways has made homosexuality a sin that is not able to be confessed in the Church. We must admit that we may have been party to many people seeking out a new community in which to feel like they belong. Let us confess this and receive from Jesus his forgiveness and then in newness of life make clear to all, you can come out and confess this sin right in Church along with all other your other sins. We will do the same with our sins. We will all together entrust our lives to Christ for cleansing and healing.
Any day can be Coming Out Day in the Church.
Phil,
This is a good idea. Maybe we should also expand this to include: Murderers confess Sunday or Adulterers lay it all out Sunday or Gossips tell all Sunday, etc. But as long as any church body relaxes or regards individual confession of sin as unimportant, I’m afraid you’re not going to have any takers.
Lutheran Church-Canada’s national magazine had two articles on this topic.
One from the view of a person who is same-sex attracted but struggling to live a chaste life: http://www.canadianlutheran.ca/the-voice-inside-out-and-active-in-the-church/
and one from her pastor:
http://www.canadianlutheran.ca/the-voice-walking-beside-supporting-those-out-and-active-in-church/