Lutheran Campus Ministry Embraces GLBT Students

By Broadside Reporter David Pierce

George Mason University’s Lutheran Campus Ministry was acknowledged by Lutherans Concerned/North America, a nonprofit Christian ministry, on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, for being Northern Virginia’s latest Reconciling in Christ group.

The Lutheran Campus Ministry was recognized through the Reconciling in Christ program because it openly accepts gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) students, according to a Lutheran Campus Ministry press release.

Ben Buss, director of the Lutheran Campus Ministry, explained that although they were now recognized for it, his ministry adopted the Reconciling in Christ program last spring.

“It’s about our organization following what we believe God is calling us to do,” Buss said, regarding why his ministry decided to adopt the program.

Buss also explained that churches and organizations that also offer Reconciling in Christ programs are more common in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

“It is less common in Virginia,” Buss said, noting a few other Virginian participants in the Norfolk, Roanoke and Annandale areas.

Buss claimed that he saw a positive reaction from students within his ministry when they found out that Lutherans Concerned recognized them. He also said that the ministry’s board, which is comprised of several Lutheran congregations, echoed the response of his students.

“The board members were very supportive and excited about this,” Buss said.

Buss expressed his understanding of the differing viewpoints when asked about possible dissent from Mason community members in regards to their openness towards all sexual orientations and gender identities.

“I respect their opinion,” Buss said. “I respect that they came to this, I hope, through prayer, and I’m not going to tell them that they are wrong.”

Rachael Dickson, a member of Lutheran Campus Ministry, said that the ministry has always accepted GLBT members, and that the only thing that is new is that they were recognized for it. Dickson also expressed concern that some people have misconceptions about religious groups regarding GLBT members and was optimistic that her ministry’s recognition will change that.

“I hope now that any person at Mason who is interested in praising God would feel welcome to join us,” Dickson said.
Katie Kane, another member of the ministry, agreed with Dickson, and felt that the recognition from Lutherans Concerned will let the community know that everybody is welcome to the ministry.

“Having differences presents an opportunity for us all to learn about other people and to engage in faithful discussion, even if we don't agree with each other all of the time,” said Kane, regarding possible disagreements with her ministry openly accepting GLBT members.

Students had diverse reactions to the news from Lutherans Concerned.

Carla Lemus, a Pentecostal junior, had strong feelings about allowing GLBT members into the ministry and churches as a whole.

“[GLBT persons] can be part of the congregation, as long as they know their sin is wrong,” Lemus said, adding, “That’s what the Bible says.”

Junior Aram Hong was surprised to hear about the Lutheran Campus Ministry’s recognition.

“It’s a new concept to me,” said Hong, as she explained that she used to live in Korea where she wasn’t as exposed to GLBT issues as she has been in America. “I’m neutral, but kind of against it,” Hong said, reiterating her unfamiliarity with the topic. “I just never really thought about it [before].” Hong added that if it didn’t harm her, she didn’t mind if the ministry openly accepted GLBT persons.

Steven Cole, a junior, didn’t mind the Lutheran Campus Ministry accepting GLBT persons.

“I don’t really care [that they accept them],” Cole said. “It’s all about how you worship God.” He went on to say that people shouldn’t interfere in other’s lives, and that everybody is entitled to their own beliefs.

The Lutheran Campus Ministry frequently holds on-campus events such as 747, an interactive weekly worship meeting and can be found online at http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran/.