Kingston West Free Methodist Church has asked Lauren Min-Pearson to step down from her involvement with the teens at her Church. First and foremost, Lauren is a committed born-again Christian with an intense desire to serve the Lord in her personal life and in her Church community life. She also graduated with distinction as a Child and Youth Worker and has taught English in Korea for 3 years. She is a full-time employee at Pathways For Children and so is not only well qualified to teach these teens but also has a love and understanding of their needs. Perhaps no one is more suited than she to bring the necessary requirements to the position she once held.
All that seems to pale in significance compared to the lone fact that she will not condemn gays. Lauren’s position is that of not condoning or condemning. She believes that Scripture tells her that she must not judge (and although her mother is the owner of this website), even if she did not know one gay person, that would be her stand. Unfortunately the Free Methodist Church insists that she must judge if she wishes to keep this volunteer position. She has chosen to step down. Brava Lauren!
Jesus says:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matt. 7:1,2
Kingston West Free Methodist, do you not see the irony in this? You are persecuting a straight person for not judging when clearly we are commanded not to judge! As gays, we are used to this persecution – not that it is right – but now you are persecuting – not someone who is even standing up for us – but someone who’s only fault is that she will not condemn us. What a sad statement this is of your example of Christ.
To those at Kingston West Free Methodist, I leave you with these passages of Scripture:
Jesus says:
“But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. This is what God in His wisdom said about you. “I will send prophets and apostles to them, and they will kill some and persecute the others.” How terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you hide the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” Luke 11:42,49,52
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers. How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you would not let me.”
Luke 13:34
by Mary Pearson, May 2001 – Kingston, ON, Canada