I'm an Academic Developer by trade. In essence I work in Higher Education contexts to improve teaching and learning and the life-chances of learners who are obtaining qualifications. I have worked with both academics and students. There's an interesting parallel between my work in the university and my work in 'the church' (I think.)
Learners are never of one type - every learner comes with a whole lifetime of experience. When we close the door of a lecture room, we don't shut out the world of the learners. They bring this with them into the lecture room. It affects the way they see things, and how they hear the material being presented to them. They respond differently. Some learners have difficulty learning, some learn in spite of the lecturer! I wonder if the same thing isn't true of those who sit in churches? I wonder if we don't hear things according to the lens that colours our lives? The lens of our histories for example, to name only one.
Sometimes lecturers tell me about the poor students they have. These may be home students, or international students. Their immediate reaction is to send them away to get "the help they need" (Or simply, to be 'fixed'.) Usually there aren't the resources to allow such a remedial approach, and lecturers decry the fall in academic standards. Yet this is the challenge. The reality is, apart from any luxury of special support, lecturers have to get involved with actually teaching people to acquire the skills they need to access the disciplines they represent. Yes, teach!
Now in 'the church' the age of sending people away to get fixed - those who struggle with various issues - I think needs to be examined closely. It's time to develop our own skills so that we can be the hands, and shoulders, and heart of Jesus. The broken, the despised - whoever finds their way to us, there's a role for us. And this may mean we have to spend time and resources making sure we are appropriately qualified for this work.
Of course this doesn't mean we don't ever refer people for specialist help. We do. Neither does it mean those who offer specialised help outside of 'the church' are doing something wrong. Sometimes it is really helpful to meet with those with like problems or issues. I simply want to point out that we shouldn't underestimate our role, and responsibility within 'the church'.
Finally I want to say there is a danger of 'ghetto-ising' people - especially those who struggle with SSA, which really is unhelpful - and misguided. So I want to argue for integration. I'd like to see OSA (opposite sex attraction) individuals mentoring SSA (same sex attraction) mentees. I wonder if that wouldn't be the healthy beginning of understanding for both, and the start of tolerance?
