A local church longs to become a reconciling (inclusive) congregation but its landlord next door (an unhappy member) threatens to kick them out if they do so. Being a plucky congregation, they nonetheless persist, and the landlord sends them notice that their lease will not be renewed. They are faithful to their beliefs and prepare to move elsewhere. A few days before the lease runs out, however, a deacon tightens her rainbow scarf around her neck, knocks on the man’s door, and asks if he will consider selling the building to the congregation.
“I might,” is the surprising answer, “but there’s no way I’m going to live next door to a ‘gay church.’”
“I understand,” the deacon replies, holding her hurt and anger, “but what if we not only bought the church building, but bought your house as well? Then you’d have enough money to move to another neighborhood, and we could take down the hurtful signs on your front lawn that are scaring potential worshipers away who assume we share your views.”
With a sigh the man agrees to the deal, and moves away to leave the congregation in peace.
Years later he has a change of heart, returns to the old neighborhood, and knocks on the church’s door. The same deacon answers the knock and greets the old man.
“I’m here to apologize,” he says. “I was so awful towards you, but you always treated me with respect. Now Jesus has told me through my granddaughter that I might be wrong about all of this. Would you forgive me and allow me to worship with you?”
“Of course,” answers the deacon. “I always knew this day would come. But first I need to tell you how you've hurt me so that you’ll know what I’m forgiving you for.”
“I understand,” the man answers, and the two former neighbors sit down for a long and painful conversation, followed by a long, but less painful prayer.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
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