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Promiscuity is more prevalent among gays, but there are many LGBT people in relationships consisting of genuine love. But for many Christians, the only thing that comes to mind when they hear the word homosexual is the militant gay activist marching in a parade and shouting, "We're here, we're queer, and we're coming after your children!"

If we are to be effective purveyors of God's love, we must commit ourselves to viewing all lesbian or gay people we meet as an individual, rather than making assumptions about who they are or where they've been. If we really want to enter the homosexuals' world, and become flesh for them as Jesus did for us, we must learn to put ourselves in their shoes when it comes to issues like gay marriage. But to do so, we must abandon our anger and discard the unsubstantiated stereotypes that hold us back from fully and truly embracing these people in a way that rivals that of the secular world. So how exactly should we go about doing this?

• I have always thought there to be something profoundly genuine about being invited into someone's home for a meal. Anyone can attend a rally or pass out a tract, but inviting someone into your home is so deeply personal that it will be hard for anyone to discount your sincerity.
• Attend a gay pride rally in your city, not to politically demonstrate against homosexuals, but simply to build relationships with them. For the past few years, I have attended the gay pride parade in Des Moines simply to pass out cold water and pizza to the lesbian and gay people in attendance.
• Assemble a group of people from your church who are willing to make a trip to their local hospital at least once a month to comfort AIDS patients. This does not have to be a big production; just take them a can of pop or some soup, ask them how they are doing, and then let them know how much God loves them. (You may have to undergo volunteer training through the hospital before gaining admittance.)
• If you personally know someone who is dying of AIDS, offer financial assistance, as unemployment is the eventual consequence of AIDS. HIV and AIDS patients, especially those who don't have insurance, are often over burdened by a decrease in income and an increase in medical bills.
• Invite a homosexual, or someone who is working to overcome homosexuality, from within your church to a Bible study group or other social event. For people who struggle with homosexuality, getting connected to others can prove itself a difficult task, especially when it comes to one's same-gender peers.
• Invite a homosexual person from outside your church to your Bible study group or other social event. Often, homosexuals don't attend church because they fear rejection from Christians, whom they believe would never accept them. A simple invitation can make a world of difference.
• Ask your church to sponsor a forum on homosexuality. Invite an ex-gay who is willing to share his or her testimony in a humble and compassionate manner. You can advertise this in the local newspaper and even recruit students to pass out flyers in the public school. When gay students and other members of the homosexual community show up, seize the opportunity to show interest in their lives. (Warning: There are a few public figures in the ex-gay community who claim to be compassionate but actually just want to preach at or condemn homosexuals. Be careful about whom you choose to speak at your event.)

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August (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48