Faith & Action’s Rev. Rob Schenck has been featured in all across the internet in news coverage of Washington DC’s legalization of gay marriage.  Click the links below to see Rev. Schenck preach to those seeking same-sex marriage licenses. Join the  online discussions and let your voice be heard!

also read and watch here at www.goddiscussion.com!

This post originally appeared at www.revrobschenck.com

Today the following notice appeared on the website for the Marriage Bureau of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia:

NOTE: Pursuant to the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, A18-248, effective March 3, 2010, same sex couples may apply for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia.

Yes, the notice is in red font. The color seems to highlight the alarming content. As of today, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, our country’s showcase city–the seat of American culture, politics and influence in the world–takes a huge step backward, to a morally primitive time. It is not “progress,” as the proponents of same-sex legal pairings assert; it is the opposite. It recalls a period in human history where sexual behavior was indiscreet, unbridled, animalistic and injurious.

The revelation of God’s moral law on Sinai and the subsequent charge to mothers and fathers to model and instruct their children in right and wrong behavior was the cure to an otherwise self-destructive impulse. Research has shown that the human drive towards sex is stronger than the drive for food–and it’s not terribly discriminating. A big part of “civilization” has to do with curbing, controlling and steering this “power” into positive, constructive and ethical directions.

I’ve been engaged for a long time in the conversation and debate on same-sex sexual relationships–and the attendant proposals for publicly sanctioning them with laws and certificates. The argument goes something like this, “There’s no difference between heterosexual and homosexual relationships, therefore gay and lesbian people should be allowed to express their love just like straight people do.” I agree–to a point.

Men should not only be allowed to love other men, but encouraged to do so. In fact, the Bible says this is the only way we can know for sure that we are “saved,” part of the redeemed; indeed, that we are Christians at all, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14) Obviously, the same is true for women. Love between men and men and women and women is part of the experience of knowing God, who is Himself “Love.” (See 1 John 4:7-11) However, this love of God, and by extension, this “love of the brethren,” is not expressed sexually. In fact, most love bonds do not–or at least should not–have a sexual component. Love for children, for example, is never to be expressed sexually. The same is true of love between siblings.

“Well, of course not!” I hear the celebrants of today’s same-sex marriage licensing saying. “Everyone knows that!” Well, not true. Sadly, there are plenty of people in the world–even in our own country–who don’t respect these moral boundaries on sex. Recent headlines bear that out. Sexual predation of children is on the rise and often includes unspeakably horrible acts, including torture and brutal murders. We think of these things as frightening aberrations, but that’s only true of human culture in the recent past. For example, in ancient times–in fact, in Bible times–pederasty and incest were rampant; inbreeding was practiced as a genetic purifier for royal family lines; and girls were routinely seized and held as sexual slaves by much older men.

Religious, moral and legal governors of sexual behavior are relatively recent innovations. They are only a few thousand to a few hundred years old, and there are plenty of places left in the world where they either remain unknown, non-practiced or are ignored. Just yesterday I sat in on a heart-breaking briefing on the current state of world-wide human trafficking, much of it driven by the sex-trade. My wife, Cheryl, is in training now to be a counselor to victims of child sexual abuse. She’ll tell you just how devastating and life-long these injuries are to soul, mind and body.

All this to say that human sexual behavior cannot be left to simple impulse. Human beings are built for a certain kind of sexual interaction. The body’s architecture alone makes that quite plain, but the soul and psyche even more so. Children are not built for sexual interaction with each other or with adults; and men are not built for sexual interaction with men, neither are women with women. And that grand result of God’s exquisite sexual design, the conception and bearing of children, can only happen between a male and female, wether through intercourse or in a test tube. It’s simple yet profound: It takes a daddy and a mommy to make a baby.

Let me remind everyone that there’s nothing new about what happened today at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Marriage Bureau. In fact, it’s very old. Thousands of years ago, the world at the base of Mount Sinai looked very much like Indiana Avenue, NW, the street outside the Marriage Bureau office. Actually, it was far worse. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Christian Church was born at Jerusalem, Greco-Roman athletes competed in the nude and engaged in homosexual acts to titillate insatiably wild crowds. Worse, Roman men of stature kept wives to sire children by, but young boys as sexual play toys. Temple prostitutes were used and abused as an act of worship.

It was into this kind of moral abandon that the Jews first taught God’s moral code and Christians later were called to evangelize. Both remain our challenge today. It was this kind of sin-sick, miserably wretched, often shockingly coarse and even frightening world that “God so loved,” and to which He “gave His only begotten son.” (John 3:16) This is the solution to the backsliding of human culture. It’s not to cower, shrink back, denounce or scold, but to love with the love of God; it’s to make known the Truth that alone can “set you free.” (John 8:32)

If there’s anything to be disappointed about today here in the Nation’s Capital, it’s that we thought human progress had come so far, but, in fact, it has regressed. Should that surprise us? The preacher in Ecclesiastes doesn’t think so: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) This is why the wise Apostle would later write to us, “[L]et us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)

With the help of God, let us get on to the work at hand . . .

Rob +

by Rev. Dr. Charles Nestor, Senior Fellow for Public Policy, National Clergy Council

What the Bible Says on Health Care Reform

Charles B. Nestor, M.Th., D.D.

In 1964 as a High School junior I was a member of the debate team, participating in the Washington, D.C. citywide forensic tournament, held at the George Washington University. My role was to present the pro position of the national debate topic. For that year the proposition was, “Resolved: That Social Security benefits should be extended to include complete medical care.” That was 46 years ago and as Yogi Berra once said, we are experiencing “deja vous allover again.” Instead of High School students debating the topic it’s the congress and the president of the United States.

There are few that would argue against citizens of the wealthiest country in history receiving the medical care that they need. The issue is whether it is a right of every person to be guaranteed healthcare and should the government provide it? Further, should every person be required to buy medical insurance and, if they do not, should the government fine them?

Jesus said that sick people need a physician. The Apostle Paul’s missionary companion was Luke the beloved physician. The Scriptures present medical care in a very positive perspective. God’s ancient people, Israel, were given in the law very specific hygiene and medical instruction. The concern of God for the health of His people is clear in the Bible. Jesus himself is none other than the Great Physician, whose ministry was punctuated by healing.

Throughout the twentieth century the extension of government-subsidized benefits is a matter of record. Public education, Social Security, and welfare programs are examples. There has been an incremental advancement toward a European style social democracy in this country. Socialized medicine would be yet another giant step in that direction. Is there a better way?

Employer based health insurance, Medicaid, and other programs provide a substantial percentage of the population with coverage and polls indicate an overwhelming high satisfaction among people who have these plans. The number of uncovered individuals is debatable, but any reform should focus on those persons, who do not have coverage of any kind. Universal government provided socialized medicine is a prescription for bankrupting the U.S. Cost estimates over time soar into the trillions of dollars. This would be disastrous stewardship of the available resources of the nation. The question for Christians is what moral obligation does a society have?

Our society has given attention to healthcare in many ways. Employee insurance, military veteran coverage, public clinics, Medicaid, fraternal insurance pools, and Medicare are all examples. Any extension of government subsidy should focus on the uncovered who have no means of providing for themselves. Many young people have chosen not to buy coverage and some prefer a pay-as-you-go approach to avoid the high cost of some insurance. The government should not assume the responsibility for those who by choice have opted not to provide for themselves.

The chronically ill who cannot afford the exorbitant cost of private healthcare or who are uninsurable can be covered without government taking over the entire industry which represents up to one sixth of the American economy. Compassionate Christians can support this without fear of being complicit in a political solution that lacks wisdom and brings financial servitude upon generations to come.

The Christian faith provides a positive solution. First, adopting a lifestyle which produces wellness, and which includes eating with moderation, the benefits of exercise which does profit a little, prayer with faith for the sick, the use of physicians, when necessary and assuming responsibility for ones own life, are things a believer should do.

Much sickness and many health issues spring from lifestyle choices. Christians can lead the way in fighting the obesity problem, avoiding choices that lead to additive behavior, eating healthy foods, exercising instead of becoming sedentary, and caring for family and friends when called upon out of a loving commitment.

Compassion and love are called for in this debate. Solutions are available and wise counsel can come from responsible moral perspective. The answer is not government bureaucratic institutions with high cost, red tape, and poor outcomes. The answer is personal responsibility for health and healthcare, conduct that promotes health, trust in a powerful God who says, “I am the Lord who heals you,” education by the Church, and responding with public assistance as a stopgap to provide for those who have no other means of care.

There is no reason for Christians to curse the darkness. We have considerable resources and a loving God. With these things in place health can be achieved without bankrupting a nation or living in despair.

The Reverend Dr. Charles Nestor is senior fellow for public policy at the National Clergy Council. Until his semi-retirement due to multiple sclerosis, Dr. Nestor was the pastor of one of the leading churches in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. He is a native of the District of Columbia and holds degrees in history, theology and divinity.

The “Pelican State,” Louisiana, will be the location for the next Faith & Action Family Circle Dinner, Tuesday evening, April 13, at Le Maison Creole, in Harvey on New Orleans’ West Bank. This intimate, invitation-only, off-the-record event allows Faith & Action president and lead missionary, Rob Schenck, to talk about what God is doing behind-the-scenes in Washington.

“Because these Family Circle dinners are built on relatively small and controlled groups of our friends, I can say more than I normally do,” said Rob. “In an intimate environment, where we spend a few hours together, my staff and I can know exactly who is in the room.”

Knowing who is in the room makes it safe for Rob to talk about exactly what the prayers and generosity of Faith and Action supporters are yielding in changed lives and changes attitudes among elected and appointed officials. Many of the reports are astounding.

“I regularly hear people say, ‘I had no idea all this was going on.’ It’s really exciting to know your prayers are being answered, particularly at such a stressful time in our nation’s life,” said Rob.

Tickets to the Louisiana Family Circle Dinner can be reserved online. You’re encouraged to bring family, friends and fellow church members with you. Seats are limited so reserve now!

This post originally appeared at revrobschenck.com

If you’re not already reading WORLD Magazine, I recommend highly that you do. I’ve known WORLD for over ten years. I’ve found it to be consistently the best, most professional source of news and commentary I get from an Evangelical Christian perspective. This week’s issue (online and in print) has a good cover story on alternatives to the health care reform proposals offered by President Obama and Democrat congressional leaders. Check it out: WORLD Magazine.

Rob +

Sociologist Paul Taylor, journalist Judy Woodruff lead discussion on Millennials

Rev. Rob Schenck, president of Faith & Action and its lead missionary, is participating today in an all-day meeting at Washington’s Freedom Forum on the emerging generation and its impact on America’s religious, social and political landscape.

The meeting, convened by the Pew Research Center, will explore how the country’s 50 million 18-29 year olds differ from previous generations. Those differences are significant. Research already shows they exhibit the most pronounced differences with their elders of any generation in modern times. The differences, though, are not all negative. For example, a majority of today’s young people say the older generation is “superior on moral values.” This is a very different attitude from that of their parents’ generation. On the negative side, the millennials are the least church-affilliated group, with only 24% associated with a specific church or religious body.

“Meeting the challenge of reaching this generation is critical for our ministry,” said Rob Schenck. “They are already crafting much of American law and policy as government staff, and we even have our first millennial in Congress.”

Faith & Action has recently launched a formal ministry outreach to young Americans. Among other programs, Faith & Action regularly hosts youth and young adult groups at the ministry center on Capitol Hill.

This post originally appeared at revrobschenck.com

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted here in a while.  I’ve been in a sort of self-imposed exile writing feverishly. I am finally doing what so many have asked me do: Put the amazing story of God’s Work in Washington into a book. The result, by God’s grace and help, will be a book that tells the story of how this ministry called Faith and Action came to be.

In connection with three speaking engagements in Florida, I was able to sequester myself for two weeks in the beautiful winter home of two of our most staunch supporters–on Siesta Key along the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast, no less! Don’t be too envious, though–they were two of the coldest weeks on record for otherwise warm and balmy Southwest, Florida! I was glad for it because it kept me inside, doing what I needed to do–exhaustive research and writing.

I hope to have the manuscript done by May and the book released in the fall. Please pray with me. This is not just a memoir of what I or a host of others have done; it’s a record of what God Almighty has wrought, using a few of us as His tools. As I wrote, it proved more than a chronology–it felt like I was producing a chapter in the modern-day Book of Acts!

Oh, I should say you’re as much a part of this story as anyone, so it’s your book as much as mine. Without your prayers, friendship and support, none of it would have happened. Because you’ve been obeident to what God has called you to do, we’ve been enabled to be obedient to what God has called us to do.

I’ll keep you posted on the upcoming “epic” of our pilgrimage together toward God’s purpose here in the nation’s capital.

Blessings,

Rob +

PS Some have already asked what the title will be. I have no idea. If you do, post it here. Who knows?

DENVER, Feb. 12 Christian Newswire
Personhood Colorado submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office today for the Colorado Personhood Amendment. The signatures submitted totaled 79,817, although only 76,047 were required. All signatures are pending validation by the Colorado Secretary of State’s office.

“We are thrilled with these results. These signatures represent thousands of hours of hard work,” remarked Gualberto Garcia-Jones, co-sponsor of the amendment. “All of our volunteers are 100% committed to seeing that the dignity and personhood of preborn babies is recognized in Colorado, and it shows.”

The proposed amendment states “Section 32. Person defined. As used in sections 3*, 6**, and 25*** of Article II of the state constitution, the term “person” shall apply to every human being from the beginning of the biological development of that human being.”

The signature campaign had hundreds of churches that petitioned repeatedly, along with over 1,000 petition circulators and even more volunteers. All signatures submitted were gathered by volunteers, and the campaign was 100% volunteer-run, with no paid petitioners or staff.

“Colorado is paving the way for personhood,” commented Keith Mason, co-founder of Personhood USA. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans are catching the vision of personhood, and we expect that several other states will soon follow Colorado in putting personhood on the ballot.”

Once the signatures are verified by the Colorado Secretary of State, the amendment will be placed on the 2010 ballot and put to a vote.

“Our grassroots, volunteer campaign will continue to be a success, because we are working towards a very worthy cause — protecting the lives of innocent Colorado citizens,” Garcia-Jones continued. “The 79,817 signatures are an indicator that the people of Colorado are determined to protect innocent life; we will not rest until every child is protected by love and by law.”

Personhood Colorado is a grassroots organization comprised of Colorado citizens who value all human life, from biological beginning to natural death. Personhood Colorado has sponsored the Personhood Amendment to the Colorado constitution.

www.personhoodcolorado.com

by Rev. Rob Schenck

“Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!”

Gospel legend Yolanda Williams performed at the White House in honor of Black History Month

Gospel singing legend-in-her-own-time Yolanda Adams “preached it” at the White House yesterday during a Black History Month concert hosted by the President and First Lady. During her opening set of the show, her second piece was How Great Thou Art. The distinctly evangelical hymn was made famous in the U.S. a half-century ago by Billy Graham evangelistic team soloist George Beverly Shea. It was not the evening’s only song with a Christ-centered theme. The event, entitled “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement,” included other numbers with lyrics that convey clear Christian truths. In my estimation, though, none contained as much Truth as this one. Consider the third stanza,

“And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.”

And the last,

“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

This is true GOSPEL. The fact that Ms. Adams chose to read most of it made it all the more powerful. Even USA Today (not generally considered a religious publication!) referred to the moment as “Having a little church.”

After 16 years in Washington, I believe it’s always better TO hear the Gospel proclaimed–whether in speech or song–than it is NOT to hear it. This was one of those times. Whether or not the listeners respond as we would hope and pray they would–or whether or not the performers believed what they communicated–is beyond my or anyone’s control. God’s Word does its own work through His Holy Spirit. We should rejoice any time it is proclaimed in any way. Should those who listened at the White House yesterday open their hearts to the message they heard, they’ll be able to say with even greater gusto, “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!”