“You Christians talk about God’s love all the time: But where is that love for people like us?”
Someone struggling with same-sex attraction once asked the person who had just started mentoring him.
For years now, there has been the quiet effort of counsellors and community groups who have rallied around the same-sex attracted to do what Church has striven to do for every person – love in action.
But the help provided is sensitive, and personal, so you may not have heard of this realm of work before. And the many stories of hope, faith and love that arise from these journeys often go unheard by those who aren’t in the know.
Truelove.is, an initiative led by 3:16 Church, simply hopes to bring these stories to light. 3:16 Church’s Senior Pastor Ian Toh believes the silent front must end if the Church is truly to be a home to everyone.
“Truelove.is was created for the Church, by the Church,” said Pastor Ian. Then, referencing Matthew 5:16, “It says to let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Rather than taking a “stand”, Truelove.is is much more of a walk – walking the people God loves back home to Him.
Or, in essence: “If others don’t see our good deeds – what the Church is doing for them – how will they glorify our Father in heaven?”
If the ones we’re called to love are not getting that message, then something is not right. If the Church does not appear to be a place of belonging, acceptance and life change, something is not right.
For a faith whose face is love – the face of Jesus Christ – His body, the Church, must represent and declare the same to the watching world.
And rather than taking a “stand”, Truelove.is is much more of a walk – walking the people God loves, and that is all of us, back home to Him.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us …” (Ephesians 5:1)
The stories of His love are already out there, said Pastor Norman Ng, Deputy Senior Pastor of 3:16 Church.
Accounts from Christians who walk the journey of faith and same-sex attraction have been slowly but steadily coming forth, some of which are featured on the Truelove.is website, and notably in the locally-produced book, Good News for Bruised Reeds – Walking with Same-Sex Attracted Friends.
“Stories of people on the same journey bring hope,” Pastor Norman said. “And the Church needs to be a place where people can find home and hope, a safe place of shelter.
Not a country club for the perfect and put-together, but a haven for every soul that longs to experience the Father’s heart. Because true love leans in; true love takes time to listen and never gives up on another.
Like every person He’s drawn unto Himself, we cannot dictate when and how God will transform a life.
We can only carry His love and make disciples of all tribes and peoples and languages (Revelation 7:9), in hopes that all who enter through our doors may find the true love they seek, and be transformed by the love lavished on them.
