Church Hurts
Today, I am devastated. When I left my church because my pastor's beliefs about homosexuality are incompatible with scripture, did I hurt people? Did I leave people behind? I wonder if my gay friends still consider me a friend to them, or an enemy. From a chance encounter I had today, I can only assume they still love me; they still consider me a friend, but a friend on the periphery, not the inner circle. That was my choice. Can I live with it? When I consider the faces, the friends, I have cut off from my life by leaving my church, all I can conclude by the shame and pain and longing in my heart is that it's possible I was not the only one hurt by my departure. And this grieves me deeply. When I left my church, should I have said good-bye? Should I have tried to explain why? Is it possible for me to remain friends with the dear ones I know who have chosen to stay? How can I do that? It's funny. My gay Christian friends are no doubt praying just as hard fo...