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The following is an opinion piece by Lt. Col. Edward “Dusty” Hill, The Salvation Army Western Territory’s secretary for program. The views represented are his own and reflect his passion for The Salvation Army’s long-standing international mission statement, which includes these words: …”to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet needs in His name without discrimination.”
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
I celebrate with you a Salvation Army that opens its doors to all of humanity. In our meetings, Salvationists delight in hearing the stories of folks who have joined our fellowship from a variety of entry points and various stages of moral purity. We are an inclusive Salvation Army. With that truth in mind, may I humbly suggest the time is now for The Salvation Army to fling open its doors a bit wider and more aggressively reach out to groups not traditionally identified with our movement? I’m speaking of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.
Connecting the LGBT community with The Salvation Army will be no easy task. Part of the problem is perception. A sizable portion of the LGBT community views The Salvation Army as being hostile. This perception of the Army is both inaccurate and unfortunate. The reality is that the vast majority of officers, soldiers and employees of the Army are anxious to positively engage the LGBT community. Indeed, The Salvation Army carries out many programs and services that directly benefit the LGBT community and does so, as The Salvation Army mission statement declares, “without discrimination.” However, I think it is still up to us to be proactive in breaking down barriers in order to more effectively communicate our best intentions.
Not every Salvationist will be anxious to see the Army reach out to the LGBT community. Much of that reticence is based on the interpretation of the Bible by many sincere and mature believers. I am not insensitive to the theological difficulties that the issue of homosexuality raises for many, but my view is that Salvationists need to think differently on this subject as we move into the 21st century. The time has come for us to engage in a meaningful internal dialogue (without rancor and judgment) that focuses less on the theological or Biblical arguments for or against homosexuality (and there is a wide interpretation on the subject among many Salvationists and Christian denominations) and more fully on how Christians can meaningfully and lovingly engage members of the LGBT community seeking a closer relationship with Jesus. Indeed, Wesleyan Christianity has long demonstrated that Scripture ought to be constantly reexamined and re-applied in light of the ministry of the Holy Spirit and in tandem with human reason, church tradition and experience. The cheerful inclusion of the LGBT community into our fellowship does not require every Salvationist to change the core principles of faith or interpretation of the Bible. What is required, in my view, is that God’s people put aside the stereotypes and biases of the past that have often made the church an obstacle, rather than a haven, for members of the LGBT community seeking fellowship in the body of Christ.
The LGBT community makes up a small percentage of the population and, despite our best efforts, few are likely to flock to The Salvation Army anytime soon. And yet, a proactive and accommodating response to the holistic needs of the LGBT community, sprinkled with a heavy dose of God’s love and grace, will send a powerful and positive message to a community that is generally untrusting of our great movement. The answer to the question of how The Salvation Army ought to best engage the LGBT community is not going away. How will we respond?
The generations of young people coming up in the Army show evidence of being more passionate about their faith, biblically centered, and accommodating to different communities than mine. My expectation is that these emerging generations of young Salvationists are going to exceed my best efforts in every way, including a nobler embrace of the LGBT community. However, I’d like to show my kids that even dad can rework his paradigm.
I’ve been on a journey of faith for 50 years. Along the way, I’ve had to address my own personal struggles, prejudices, phobias and biases. While still a work in progress, I declare with the hymnist that, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.” My prayer remains, “Create in me a new heart Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). Friends, I want to grow, mature, and be more loving, particularly toward those to whom I have been less than sensitive and understanding.
Here is my final challenge to anyone still reading (and I am speaking only for myself): If God has a place for me to worship and serve alongside my family in The Salvation Army, why not equally a member of the LGBT community? The impulses of my heart lead me to make an urgent call on the Army of the West to fling open the front entries of its chapels a little wider. Let’s send a clarion call that everyone is unconditionally welcomed to enter, fellowship and serve in The Army of the Open Door.
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I appreciate your comment on this problem. Sadly, a declaration of “The Salvation Army mission statement declares, ‘without discrimination’ does not make it so.
Another statement, “We are an inclusive Salvation Army” simply isn’t true. If we were, there would be no need for your article.
What we are is an Army that will include if the individual fits into our mold. When is the last time you saw a homeless person walk into the Tustin Ranch Corps or the Pasadena Tabernacle, or even my Corps, Las Vegas Citadel? We build special buildings and services for these folks until they are compliant with what we are comfortable with.
This is not an Army problem, this is a people problem. The Army can make all the declarations it wants; until the individuals have accepted their responsibility to be a part of the “clarion call” nothing will change.
Let’s remember that it is our responsibility to “sow the seed”, it is God’s to harvest. It is our responsibility to make the sinner, whatever his sin may be, welcome. Not with empty pronouncements, but it the real sense of being welcome.
Whether the person is homeless and dirty, part of the LGBT community, an addict or whatever their station in life is, we are obligated as Christian individuals to make them welcome so the Godpel can be heard without distraction.
Thanks for your excellent article. Here in Seattle, we serve and serve alongside folks of every lifestyle, orientation, color, disability . . . pretty much any description or attribute you can identify. It brings challenges, but my experience has been that when given a chance, most people will endeavor to do the right thing.
Here at the William Booth Center, we commonly provide a safe and welcoming residence for a wide spectrum of our neighbors. The participation standards (for everyone) require the ability and willingness to maintain a an environment of peace and respect; and – since it is a male facility – that they self identify as male. The details such as shower accommodation, relational issues, counseling, etc. are all worked out on a case-by-case basis. The few times that we have encountered someone with an overtly intolerant or disrespectful attitude and conduct toward someone because of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or other protected attributed, the offender is immediately discharged from the William Booth Center. (We have only had to do it twice!)
When we were Corps Officers in Everett, we followed the same approach, with respect to both Social Services and engagement with the Corps. Exactly zero problems or conflicts – even from our very senior Soldiers.
While there are many good and highly educated brothers and sisters who will long discuss, debate and consider the deep theological implications of such matters, I’m just going to follow Jesus’ guidance for now:
Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Take care,
Dana
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Captain Dana S. Libby
The Salvation Army
Seattle Social Services
811 Maynard Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
Thank you, colonel, for writing this! I am hopeful this will encourage more to speak up about the way forward.
Your article was thoughtful and I believe requires serious contemplation. While I think I know what your attempting to say, I felt you were somewhat merky in what you woule like at the outcome. For me it lacks real concrete specifics
How do we connect the LGBT community to the Army? In what ways? What does flinging the doors wider look like? Inviting those who identify themselves as LGBT to worship? I am very cool with that? Inviting them to lead in worship? Not sure. Teach the Word in a Sunday School class? Not sure. Invite those who are LGBT to be soldiers, Officers? Not sure.
My feeling is you were a little long on love, grace, mercy and the Church being inclusive. I am in total agreement with you. We must not treat those in the LGBT community differently that the alcoholic, drug user, liar, gossiper, those who steal etc. I am in complete agreement. The piece I feel you side-stepped, perhaps on purpose was the issue of is an active lifestyle of homosexuality a sin? I suspect you don’t think so basd upon your slight brush of how within the Church we have differences on what the Bible states.
What does a nobler embrace of this community look like? I wish you would be specific. Loving them? YES. Caring for their physical needs? YES. Reaching out with the love and grace of the Gospel which includes that truth Jesus calls us to leave a life of sin and makes us new! YES.
God does have a place for anyone within the body of Christ where they should feel welcomed. We are called to express in our living obedience to Christ. They will know we are Christians by our love. I believe the love of Christ compels me to not deceive others with a watered down, weak and less than victorious life over sin; regardless of what that sin happens to be.
Fling the doors of the Army open to all, sinners and saints alike! But let’s not be caught exchanging the truth of God’s Word for a lie. If we do that the results will only be a blemished bride.
Sorry to be slow to respond! I just reread the article and noted the comments after 4 years. My apologies.
My point in the article was simplt about urging more discussion on the topic. I think it is starting to happen. Hopefully it will result in a kinder and more inclusive S.A.
God bless you.