If you read yesterday’s post, you read my thought “Way too often we are more known for what we are against than what we are for.”  I mentioned sharing another positive which took place within the past week or so. It is a lot more controversial but I hope you will read this post all the way through.

Our church’s mission statement is “To Win the HEART of Owen County.”

Our vision is taking H-E-A-R-T and telling how we hope to accomplish that:

H– Hear Truth

E– Exalt Christ

A- Accept the Imperfect

R– Restore Relationships

T– Teach Service

It is easy having a Mission and Vision Statement; it is a totally ‘nother ballgame living it. Here is what happened.

Every year our county has the Apple Butter Festival. It goes all day Saturday and Sunday. Our first year we did both days (opening the booth at 1:00) but the past two years we have just done Saturday. We give away free water and snacks and try to let the community know who we are. Other than the “thanks for the water” we haven’t really had any dialogue. That changed this year. Saturday morning Ryan, our youth pastor, was handing out water when a woman approached him with this loaded question:

“Do you welcome gays? My wife and I have been looking for a place to worship in Spencer and haven’t found one or have not been welcome. Would you allow us to come?’

Ryan’s answer: “Yes we would. Our Mission statement says ‘Accept the Imperfect’ which we try to do. We will probably define marriage differently than you-between a man and a woman-but you are welcome to worship with us.”

Was that not a great answer? No condemnation. No judgment. But they also know No Compromise of our beliefs.

Was it a test? Possibly. There are a few churches in town who are militantly against them. And Spencer PRIDE can be militant in their exchange. But then again, maybe it was the answer they needed to hear. Maybe some day (it has not happened yet) they will come through our doors and find “acceptance” and in the process even find Jesus.

Who knows?

I’m sure we will mess up along the way. I’m sure there will be those who will be offended by our stand on gays, sexual sin, and other hot button issues. But I am so proud of Ryan’s grace and wisdom in his answer.  His grace and answer allows us another chance to speak the truth of Jesus’ love into someone’s life.

How would you have answered?

Add on: thanks to Daniel’s comment I need to add something Ryan also said (I forgot it when I originally wrote this). When we he said, “Our Mission Statement says, ‘Accept the Imperfect” he also added, ‘We are all imperfect.'”