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As many of you know, I am in the beginning stages of starting a ministry that will reach out to men who secretly or openly deal with homosexuality. This ministry is focused inwardly on the church and will be working with men who attend church, and have no where to turn, no one to talk to. Of all people I know how this feels. I had no one to talk to or turn to. This subject is just not talked about in the church.
The purpose of this thread is for you all to help me come up with real names for this ministry. I've come up with a few but as I've interacted with many of you here I know that you know where I'm coming from. Some of you know me better than I know myself!
If you want to go off topic and ask me questions that's completely cool. However I'd really suggest that no one start bashing in this thread because it defeats my purpose for starting it, and you might see a moderator posting here and keeping tabs on this thread. Thanks all!!
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Well, if it's a group that's geared towards acceptance and diaologue (not conversion or suppression) I would suggest something like Brother to Brother (if it's just for gay men) or maybe simply Brothers and Sisters, etc. It should emphasize the feeling of inclusion as most people who are homo/bisexual feel very isolated and shunned by Christianity.
Why start a ministry limited to a particular group? Why not be inclusive? You could call it the "Open ministry" and make it open to all people Gay or not? Do you want a church or ministry where straight people do not feel welcome?
I have always wondered why there is a perceived need to single out Gays for special treatment. Are we also going to have a "straight" ministry that is only for straight people? A "Not Interested" ministry for those people who have no interest in sexual relationships at all? Then we also need a Hermaphrodite ministry, an adulterers ministry, a separate ministry for each race, gender, age, sexual preference, proclivity or other identifiable group of specific type of person or personality.
This seems divisive. The opposite of what Christians need right now. We need to be more united not more divided. How about "We all worship the same lord ministry"? or the "Church for human beings"?
The methodist Church is attempting an open ministry with their "Our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open" campaign. I am not sure that it will work because that statement is not true of all Methodist ministers or congregations. However I think that they have the right concept.
You could call your effort the "Open Minded Ministry" or how about "Ministry of Open Minds" that will give you a catchy acronym ("MOMs"). Probably not the best acronym for what you are trying to accomplish, but you can probably come up with something.
I have always wondered why there is a perceived need to single out Gays for special treatment. Are we also going to have a "straight" ministry that is only for straight people?
The difference is that straight Christians have no trouble in finding help or someone willing to listen without being judgemental about their sexual orientation. Obviously this is not the case for gay Christians in America, since many Christians here believe that you can't be gay AND a Christian.
It seems that generally it is an impossibility for a Christian to listen to a gay person without condemning him or being judgemental.
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Obviously this is not the case for gay Christians in America, since many Christians here believe that you can't be gay AND a Christian.
