Judging and condemning those who are different from us is nothing new, particularly when we believe that those "different ones" are somehow inferior, or weaker than we are, or a threat to our own convictions or lifestyle.
Unfortunately, most Christian churches in America have viewed their role as one of a traffic cop, telling people where to go and not to go, what to do and not to do. Consequently, they end up being painted as a bunch of bigots and homophobes, and rightly so, I might add. At the other end of the spectrum, some churches have decided to abdicate their own rules in the name of tolerance. At New Covenant, our goal is to be the clinic where hurting people of all sorts can come and seek compassion and healing within the framework of the Bible.
However, let’s not forget that “Justice is of the Lord,” the Bible tells us. In other words, that’s His job, not mine. My main job as a Christian is, above all, to extend mercy and love to my neighbor. It’s interesting to remember that Jesus did not specify who that neighbor may be, whether he may be my own spouse, a political opponent, a criminal, a drug or sex addict, or all of the above.
As we see it at New Covenant, our modern American society is increasingly immersed in sexual immorality. As a result, more and more men of all ages are suffering. What may have started as casual looks at “adult” magazines may have developed into a full-fledged addiction. What was a friendly relationship with a secretary may have developed into an affair. What seemed to be at first a lighthearted, friendly attraction to a sport partner may have turned out into something which is destroying a marriage. In any case, the bottom line is that men can find themselves in situations which are tearing them apart, and yet from which they can find no way out. They feel trapped, enslaved, and end up hurting other people as well.
Here, at New Covenant, we have no intention of confronting or changing people who are comfortable with the sexual activities they are involved in, whatever they may be. But for those who are suffering, we want to let the word out that there is a church in this greater area willing to show them the way out of their misery. To contact our Sexual Integrity Ministry: relief.soon@gmail.com.
Alan Bertaux
New Covenant Presbyterian Church
Lewes
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