We learn very early in life to recognize a \u201cDanger\u201d sign. It\u2019s usually red and has some figure in a high-risk situation. Sometimes we see \u201cskull and bones\u201d to scare us from trying to do something stupid. We learn to stay far away from such dangerous situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church today as in its history faces controversial issues that have become dangerous to discuss. They are often divisive and polarizing causing people to take opposing sides often ending up in dividing the Body of Christ. We have learned to see these \u201cDanger\u201d signs to avoid being hurt. In time, these issues seem to take on more significance than they really deserve and we as people of faith are left stunted without the vocabulary and reasoning to engage in constructive and productive conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the ABC of the Rocky Mountains\u2019 Annual Gathering in September 2015, Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran and regional leadership led participants to engage in \u201cDangerous Conversations.\u201d They decided that unless regional leaders take the lead to bring up discussions on racism, police brutality, homosexuality and other controversial topics, there\u2019s a good chance that local churches won\u2019t address these issues as well. Furthermore, until local churches in their respective communities become \u201cmediating communities\u201d that bring healing and understanding in a fractured culture, we would not be Christ\u2019s servants in the making of a beloved community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were a Black pastor and a White pastor who mutually committed to spend time together for the purpose of breaking down stereotypes and uncovering personal prejudices toward becoming brothers in Christ. These congregations will undoubtedly learn from their pastors\u2019 transformation. The big topic in our time, homosexuality was introduced with a respectful climate for personal study, biblical understanding as well as a call for human compassion. It is okay and Baptist to disagree but not okay to avoid dangerous issues when we are brothers and sisters in the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My experience as ABC President at this year\u2019s ABC of the Rocky Mountains\u2019 Annual Gathering gave me a strong example of a healthy region, growing in faith and holding one another\u2019s hands as they with deep humility engaged in \u201cDangerous Conversations\u201d believing that the heart of Christ will lead them in becoming the beloved community as the Body of Christ.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We learn very early in life to recognize a \u201cDanger\u201d sign. It\u2019s usually red and has some figure in a high-risk situation. Sometimes we see \u201cskull and bones\u201d to scare