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.
Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org
Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org