In Reply to: Punk Christian son of a Preacher Man posted by one who investigates on July 31, 2006 at 01:29:26:
Interesting biographical piece. A couple of statements resonated with me:
"I know so many people who won't call themselves Christians but are following God and Jesus -- who walked away from seminary or Christian rock bands, and who feel completely outcast."
For a very long time, I refused to call myself a Christian, although I try to follow Jesus. This forum is one of the few places I will identify that way, not because I'm ashamed of Jesus, but because I don't want to be associated with what is called Christianity in mainstream culture.
The reason for my distaste is expressed by Pastor Stu Damron in the article: "What I saw him doing was what I had not seen, which is just loving people...In my Southern Baptist church I said that but didn't mean it. And didn't know how."
So I resonate with Jamie's countercultural ministry, even though my cultural milieu is far removed from punk rock and tatoos. I totally agree with Jamie's statement that "I don't have a right to judge (people on issues such as abortion and homosexuality). God's called us to love people no matter who they are or what they've done...You can't change people. You can for a little while, but eventually they'll rebel or be hurt or realize what's going on. I'm not in that rat race. I'm just in the game to say, 'This is who Jesus is, he loves you for who you are and hopefully you see that in my life and you see the positive things that are coming from it.'"