We speak for our Brand
Duck Dynasty has been all the rage lately. Not only do they have a highest rated TV show on A&E but they are all over the TV and stores as they are big time promoters of products. Honestly, I have only watched one episode of the show in my life and never really was interested in it but I know many who will swear by it and the people in it.
Well, I’m sure if you’ve watched any TV news programs, read any blogs or articles or have checked your Facebook feed lately, you would have seen that Phil Robertson has been in the news lately for something other than promoting Duck Dynasty or a commercial product.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Phil was asked a wide range of questions as he shared his life with the Interviewer. At one points, Phil was asked what is sinful. His response is what is causing some controversy. Directly from the story in GQ, he said,
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
What is causing the uproar is that people think he does not love homosexuals. Now, honestly, if you ask me, Phil was doing a good paraphrase of Corinthians highlighting all sorts of sinful behavior, not just homosexuality. But GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian organization) highlighted this and essentially called him a bigot for not loving homosexuals.
This is really too bad for a lot of reason, but it is especially unfortunate because people failed to see what Phil said a few paragraphs below. He said,
“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”
Again, in my eyes, Phil was just speaking the Truth and even said that they love all people and share with them about Jesus, letting God sort them out. He talks about love and acceptance here.
Now, suspended by A&E for a period of time from the show, we are all wondering how this will play out.
So what can we, as Student Ministers, learn from this?
- We should always speak the Truth to others. Nothing that Phil said seemed to be outside what the Bible says. He was asked a question and gave an honest answer of what he believed. The Bible is clear when it comes to sinful behavior whether we agree with it or not. That is why we need to always speak the Truth to people, no matter how hard it may be or uncomfortable it may make people.
- The above being said, we always need to be aware that we speak for our Brand. And, as Student Ministers, our Brand is our Church and Jesus Christ. And, as we speak, we have to understand that what we say to others not just reflects us but our Church and Christ. That’s a huge burden to undertake for sure but that is what we have chosen to undertake the moment we decide to be followers of Christ and Student Ministers.
What is happening with Phil is exactly why we have to be careful in what you say, who you say it to and how you say it. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be speaking the Truth of Christ to others, but we have to understand our audience and know that everything we say can and probably will be taken out context. We really have to be careful knowing full well that people have their own agendas and will try to portray you and Christ as something you are not.
In a country where we say words like “tolerance” and “freedom”, there doesn’t seem like there is a lot of it these days. That is why I urge you all, as Ambassadors of Christ, to share the Truth, but be careful for we represent more than just ourselves. We are representing Christ and the Church.
Thoughts? Experiences? You have the FREEDOM to share below. 🙂
