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How has your church tried to foster constructive dialogue about pressing social issues?

Our church has a rare mix of conservatives, moderates, and liberals, so when we mount a civil discussion of live-wire issues, we must carefully plan and pray. One such discussion came last year, when we hosted a public conversation around the issue of homosexuality and the Asian American evangelical church.

About a month prior, I delivered three sermons to give our members a framework for why we felt this was important, and also to explain the unusual approach we were using for the event. It was going to be a real conversation between three Asian American evangelicals—a straight man who held a traditional view (me), a former staff member who is now openly gay, and a straight member who is disturbed that our church doesn't affirm those with same-sex attraction.

While I wouldn't refute the biblical mandate for chastity among all Christian singles, I also pointed out that there will never be a day when everyone else shares all of your convictions. For us all to share this one planet (and ...

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