One of my Facebook friends sent me this message:
Hi, Randy. Last week I began orientation for (edited name of an organization out for confidentiality.) It is an interfaith organization that mininsters to people living with HIV/AIDS. I had continuing education this Monday through Wednesday. The training materials are awesome and the presenters of the different topics are committed to the cause.
But volunteers are forbidden to share their faith or challenge their current behavior, which may be sinful and risky. They striclty forbid what they call proselytizing and will expell a volunteer from the organization if they find out you have been sharing your faith. We are to remain non judgmental and fully supportive of the decisions they make.
My faith in Christ is a foundational part of my being. I feel like I am being muzzled. I am interested in these individuals’ eternal destination as well as their welfare here on Earth. I am usually a very upbeat person, but I have been mopey, teary, and depressed lately. The founder and Director of (this organization) is gay. I really respect the work he is doing, and the volunteers I have met in the training are passionately committed to the people they are serving. It seems that most are either gay/lesbian themselves or have sons or daughters who are.
I am having second thoughts about my being a part of this ministry. Sharing my faith is like eating and breathing for me. I really believe God is calling me to minister to people living with HIV/AIDS, but at the same time I don’t really like the idea of having to hide who I am and the One who can bring lasting change to someon living with HIV/AIDS.
… Honestly, what do you make of this? Bro, I would appreciate your thoughts. This is weighing me down.
Back in the ’80′s when AIDS was decimating the gay community, the Church completely missed the ball and a horrible situation became even worse by stigmatizing gay identified people. Who can forget Christian leaders, on national television, using the AIDS pandemic as a culture war billy-club instead of seeking to provide care, support and ministry to those living with and dying because of the HIV virus. The end result is that while the Church (at large) stood afar with the condescending looks of modern day judgmental Pharisees, the gay community was mobilizing and serving our friends and loved ones who were in desperate need of practical help. The gay community was helping those who couldn’t afford the medicines to buy those medicines. They comforted those thrown out of their jobs, homes, schools and families. They created the best, most efficient and well run system of care and support for those who are HIV+ out there.
Twenty years later, I think that Christians are much different, more loving and understanding of the situation. Yet as the above message indicates, there are long term consequences for not representing Christ well.
Today’s major top notch AIDS organizations are that way because they were the only game in town, for the most part, over the last twenty plus years. The gay community assert the same rights we do with regard to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religious conscience. These organizations are private organizations and they can run them any way they want too. They have every right to not allow Christians (on staff or volunteers) to share their faith within the confines of that program..
So, what is a compassionate Christian like my friend to do? Two things come to mind.
One: I am a big fan of anonymous, selfless, pragmatic and practical service. God honors those who do acts of service just to do acts of service. I completely believe that there are times when we would honor Him more by selflessly, silently blessing someone with very practical support. In our heart we know we are doing this for them “as unto Him.” He knows that is the motivation of our heart. I know He honors this type of selfless sacrifice. The scriptures state that all good comes from God so any good we can provide is blessed. The Gospel transcends words and opens doors whenever He wants. He is not limited by AIDS organizational rules even when we respectfully submit to them. God wants to bless and love the people being helped in these organizations whether we, in our limited view, ever get to verbalize the gospel or not.
To be clear, I don’t think you should break a private organization’s rules. I do think, if God is calling you and you do decide to help there, that your silent, selfless acts of service are just as important to the kingdom as what Billy Graham has done publicly to spread The Gospel. I truly do. In the future, God may or may not open the door for you to be public with your witness there … but the starting point is helping that person living with HIV with the practical support this organization provides.
Another thing to consider is that your primary reason for being there may not be only for those needing help. Maybe you are to be the hardest worker an organization could ever hope for and letting your excellent contribution be a witness to the leadership itself. They know about you and your faith but also see your humility to respect their wishes.
One caveat, for some folks, it may be imperative that you do tell at least one trusted Christian friend or counselor to simply debrief or process what you experience. If the environment is hostile to your faith, and you are serving there in an ongoing basis, it might be a pre-requisite to have someone objective and outside the situation to talk with.
Two: Christians ARE starting to get it. Rick and Kay Warren are doing a great thing with HIV/AIDS Caring Connection. God bless them and their efforts. I also love the group from HIV: He Intends Victory. These folks are unapologetic about their Christian approach and have really good programs. I am sure there are other Christian ministries across the country that are helping in amazing ways but they have had to develop outside of the secular and gay efforts, again, because of what I believe are the long term consequences of the culture war over this issue.
I think that Christians starting this type of outreach are wonderful! It is a desperately needed ministry.
I want to be clear, I am a big fan of sacrificial service whether it is through the secular avenues or Christian ministries because the point is not about what “we” want. It’s what and where God wants us to be in order to bless people He wants to bless. It’s not about what we think we need to say. It’s about His love being expressed on the Earth to a population in desperate need of Him. My desire is to please God regardless of whether it is loud street preaching, leading someone in the “sinners prayer” or silently praying while waiting for someone who needs a ride home after blood-work test results.
Whether you are called to submit to a pro-gay organizations rules or create or join a Christian ministry … it’s about His love being expressed in sacrificial service. His love and grace transcends words and our own agendas. Walking in the spirit of grace and service will dispel darkness with light. And again, we don’t know what the future holds.
That is just one possible manifestation of the Living Gospel.
About Randy Thomas
Fantastic response Randy. Bless you “writer of the article.”
Thanks. Is “Writer of the Article” my matrix name? I immediately thought that sounded like something Morpheus would say
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Randy, Jennifer may have been referring to the person that asked you the question
But your response was spot on! You are a man of varied styles. Bro, you can write a serious article like this with such clarity and turn around and do a Facebook salute to Adam Lambert 
To be very clear… I did not “salute” Adam Lambert. My update said:
thanks for the encouragement about the response
Randy, this is a wonderful reply. It is important to remember that our GOD is pursuing His people. As we rest in Him we will see His work transcend any and all efforts to silence. We serve where He calls us and we do it with cheerful trust. He is Faithful.
Amen Richard. Glad you liked the response.
Howdy!
First off, God bless this good person for wanting to serve people with HIV/AIDS. Wow, you are fab!
Second, Randers, you and me are on the same page here. Well, as per!!!
I have worked as a hospital carer and as a social carer, dealing with people with long term mental health conditions and addictions.
In the UK, a Christian nurse was ‘discriminated against’ because she was sacked for asking a patient if she could pray for her. She was re-instated after Christians petitioned. I’m actually on the side of the people who sacked her. 1) It is not in a nurse’s job description to pray for patients. Just like it was not in my job description to make balloon animals to cheer people up, so I didn’t do it. 2) The health service employs chaplains or can find a faith representative if you request one. On my ward, we would make sure people knew of the chaplaincy service as soon as they entered the ward, had posters etc, and our ward was used as a national example of holistic care. 3) Patients in hospital are vulnerable, whether they seem it or not, whether they have a broken leg or a brain tumour, they are vulnerable, which is why staff are not to try to influence them religiously, politically etc.
But staff can, and do, go into store rooms and pray privately and quietly for patients, or leave a shift and pray. In an interview with the social care unit I worked in part time, my managers asked how I deal with the most prolific self-harmers/suicide attempting clients, two young, abused women I worked with every shift. I said most of the time, it’s fine, but the time I had a set of paramedics to them both at the same time, and then another self-harmer going for it, and the paperwork etc, I did pray as I walked up the street after the shift and left them all in God’s hands. That was not an issue for my employers. They also know I had my Bible on night shifts and religious music for times when clients were all asleep and well. Again, not an issue.
At the hospital, I also interpreted a patient’s nightmares, and used my psychology background to help them deal with having nightmares. They didn’t have nightmares after that. But I didn’t tell the patient the Holy Spirit was telling me the meaning of their nightmares. I asked them questions which led to them finding the meaning of the nightmares for themself. There’s ways and means of doing things. You just need to think outside the box.
At another place, I simply said, “Go to Bridges” every time a client wanted to talk about faith. Bridges was run by a friend of a friend, who outreached to that client group and gave out Bibles etc. I was allowed to tell clients where churches were etc, and we even had a lounge discussion on Benny Hinn one night, but no influencing people myself.
Regarding challenging risky behaviour… well, person-centred counselling, which is the best for a person to start with, and then go into cognitive behavioural therapy when they are ready for it, having been stabalised through person-centred first, yes, person centred says that a person must have positive unconditional regard in order to grow. In simple, loving someone, and not challenging, but letting them grow themselves, and they will, when they know that they are loved despite everything, they will start to change themself, and start asking for help.
People engaged in risky behaviour do so because they don’t like some part of themself, or are trying to forget something. (60% men on the gay scene have been sexually abused.) If you keep showing the service users that you think they’re brill no matter what (which is what God thinks!), that will be the best thing you can do to start them on their journey to living well. The change will come from them when they feel free (from accusation, hatred, the need to shock others etc), loved and that someone cares for them.
God bless you matey in Christ for stepping out in this way. God bless you -x-
Hey Twinkle
Thank you for adding your comments here
. VERY good thoughts. Thank you.
I commend the person for following his/her heart in choosing to volunteer with this organization, as well as your thoughtful response, Randy.
Here’s one more thought: It’s tempting to assume that gay people haven’t ever had the chance to hear about God’s grace, but that is pretty uncommon. More often, they’ve heard plenty from well-meaning Christians. For some, it’s felt more like God’s judgment or anger, because scriptures were cited when they were kicked out of their family home as teenagers, or barred from holiday celebrations.
Catherine H makes an excellent point: Patients in hospital are vulnerable, [...] which is why staff are not to try to influence them religiously, politically etc. No matter how well-intentioned, opening a faith-based conversation may take the person receiving services to a difficult or traumatic personal place.
I see one other opportunity here. The writer mentioned that this is an interfaith organization. So, in addition to Randy’s suggestion about debriefing with a respected Christian friend, you could approach the director or a staff person. Be open about where you’re coming from, about feeling led to volunteer and yet also feeling conflicted. Ask if there are others who have had similar concerns, and how they handled it. Maybe there are other Christian volunteers who are open to praying for clients together and supporting each other.
Good thoughts. Thank you Bose. It’s good to see you.
Randy,
I am a follower of He Intends Victory (H.I.V.) and am grateful that you support their Christian ways of trying to help people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS too. People with HIV are usually rejected because some people don’t think there is hope anymore due to risky behaviors in the past life. It’s been one of the best ways for me to reach out to other HIV+ Christians out there without being stigmatized or judged. Randy, you were right about men who come out of the closet a lot of us were sexually abused as children and that’s one of the contributing factors to my former lifestyle. I am now a non-practicing homosexual and I remain celibate until the father decides to recieve me on the other side. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing a little bit of your heart and experience.