As you probably know, on Dec. 2, 2015, five of the seven members of our local District 211 School Board, representing Palatine, Schaumburg, and parts of Hoffman Estates, voted to allow a male student to use the girls’ locker room at Fremd High School.
If you were at either of the two school board meetings where this was decided, you know that several hours were devoted to hearing the opinions of worried parents, students, local conservatives and LGBT activists – all of whom passionately shared their own personal beliefs and values trying to convince board members to vote accordingly. Unfortunately, God’s truth and His values were almost entirely absent from the public commentary.
Consequently, we at New Hope Community Church realized that, as Christians, we have neglected our calling to be witnesses for the Truth in our local public square. As a result, God and His truth are no longer even points of consideration for our elected officials, making it easy for them to forget that they will have to answer to their Creator one day. Brothers and sisters, this is not good for anyone.
Therefore, we are proposing that leaders and members of local Evangelical churches (churches that accept that the Bible is perfect and without error) stand up with us and be witnesses to the D211 area. As God’s people we are being given a great opportunity to speak the truth. If not now, then when? If not boys in the girls’ locker room, then what? This is a spiritual battle. It’s time to act. Here is what we are proposing:
First, New Hope asks that every church join an effort to pray for all involved.
Second, we ask that between now and the next election (April 2017), every church send representatives to the monthly school board meeting to speak during the public commentary time, encouraging school board members and school officials to heed God’s Word. In this we can also encourage the community as a whole to reject the concept of “relative truth” and turn to “the Truth” of Jesus Christ. Our hope at New Hope is that the church stands strong in our community and that together we demonstrate that we are not ashamed of the gospel because it is truly the power of God unto salvation for all. God bless you, and we hope to see you on the battlefield!
Pastor James Pittman and the Leadership at New Hope Community Church