A Daniel-Sized Challenge

Here's an important lesson from an ex-Marine in Canby, Oregon.

Last March, we wrote about a school teacher in the Pacific Northwest who was asked to check a box indicating he had “reviewed and accepted” the following policy:

“All students will be allowed to use a restroom and locker room consistent with their gender identity and/or gender expression or one which makes them feel comfortable.”

This Christian teacher would not check the box. Instead, he met personally with his direct supervisor to explain why. This led to a meeting with the district superintendent and the president of the school board. In this case, a decision was made to not fire the teacher. [For details, click here.]

How many Christian educators in state schools are not “checking the box?” It’s impossible to say. Yet, one thing is certain: Christian educators in public schools are facing a Daniel-sized challenge they never dreamed possible when they signed up. They need our prayers and encouragement.

State school teachers need the kind of courage that rejects self-preserving silence, and speaks directly and respectfully to those for whom they work, letting the reasons for their non-compliance known, regardless of the outcomes.  

An instructive example of courage comes out of the Northwest. Brian Hodson, Mayor of Canby, Oregon, denied a request for “International Transgender Day of Visibility.”

He explained his decision as follows:

“As a Christian, I am called to love my neighbor as myself. I am not called to judge others. I believe we will all stand before the Lord one day and account for how we spent our time on this earth. I recognize not everyone in our community shares my beliefs, and I respect their right to believe what they feel is right. As a veteran of the Marine Corps, that is one of the many reasons I served this great country. But I also expect the same respect to be reciprocated to people of faith. Instead, what I see is a visceral attack on individuals for having a biblical worldview, and standing firm that the word of God is above any cultural norms we’ve adopted as a society.”

How many mayors across the country are doing likewise? If there were many, we would have heard about it. Christian leaders everywhere are facing Daniel-sized challenges they never dreamed possible when they signed up. Let’s be praying for them—and encouraging them.

For the full Canby story, click here. Message Mayor Hodson via Facebook here.


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