After
a couple of hectic weeks trying to catch up, I travelled to
Manchester in the UK from Hungary last Thursday, and to the Quinta
Christian Centre in Shropshire (https://www.quinta.org/)
on Friday afternoon. Over the weekend I attended a conference run by
True Freedom Trust (TFT).
The
TFT mission statement from their website
(https://truefreedomtrust.co.uk/about-us)
states the following:
“True
Freedom Trust (TFT) is a UK-based teaching and pastoral support
ministry that holds to the orthodox biblical view of sex, gender and
relationships. Our passionate desire is to be full of grace and truth
as we teach God's word in churches, conferences and Bible colleges,
and as we provide pastoral care for those who struggle with same-sex
temptations and gender confusion.
We
run regular conferences aimed at encouraging and equipping Christians
to hold firm to biblical teaching and to trust in the God of all
grace in the midst of struggles and temptations.”
This
annual conference was attended by around 100 people, and was pretty
intensive, with
meetings
for worship and teaching, small groups and seminars, an introduction
for new members, prayer meetings, and trips out on Saturday afternoon, as well as
meals and coffee breaks where
we tried to
talk to as many people as possible. There was a great atmosphere, it
was easy to enter into conversations; many said it was so easy to be
real as most of us already knew the more embarrassing thing about the
one we were talking to anyway.
One or two even had to “come out” as straight, as being spouses
or parents, and the rest of were like, “So you’re
straight and married? That’s kinda
weird!”
I
was able to share my vision for a similar work in Hungary with a
number of people, including the national leaders, and they were
positive and encouraging, and said they could help if
I got into difficulties. Useful networking occurred! This ministry
has been going for around 40 years and has grown into a nationwide
organisation, so I am sure they have much experience I will be able
to draw on. I met some really amazing people, of both sexes and all
ages, and had loads of really great conversations.
The
theme of the conference was receiving the love of God, realising that
we are loved by God, which can be a problem for some of us LGBT+
folks. There were times during the worship too, when there were not
many dry eyes in the room.
We
were asked not to take photographs of people without express
permission, so as to preserve confidentiality and not to “out”
anyone, so I just share some views of the premises and a couple of
the leaders/speakers.
Having
attended this conference, I am
even
more aware
of the
importance of knowing God and being in relationship with him, but
also the cruciality
of belonging
to a healthy community
in
order to
experience love and acceptance with accountability. As LGBTQ+
Christians who desire to follow Jesus and live lives which are
pleasing to God, we are able to understand each other and encourage
one another. I
mean, I love my straight friends, but sometimes they just don’t get
it. Anyway...
Have
any of you experienced a community like this? Does it help you to
relax and be real? Are you receiving the same sort of love and
acceptance in your own church family, or do you prefer to hide and
not even admit your struggles with “gayness”? Add a comment below
or write to me here: lgbthope@vekker.eu
Nincsenek megjegyzések:
Megjegyzés küldése