Between the passage of Bill C-250 and same-sex marriage legislation, the Christian community has had a lot to worry about. The gay community presents itself publicly as having the opposite spirit-one of celebration.

The two camps were side-by-side at a church in Scarborough when Focus on the Family held its "Love Won Out" conference. The event aimed to teach church leaders how to do outreach to the gay and lesbian community. The two groups differed considerably in tone.While serious discussions were underway inside, protesters on the lawn had fun waving signs with anti-hate messages.

The subject lines of e-mails I receive from Christian groups tend to include words like concerned, alarmed and dismayed. These earnest memos focus on new legislation or political changes that undermine Christian values. It makes sense that only the critical and action-oriented information is sent. (Who likes spam?)

Consider the tone

But the way "developments" are communicated-both in selection and tone-deserves renewed consideration. A little bit like some gay lobby groups, Christians tend to infuse their communications with a dramatic tone. Some groups are in a position to make this call, to know the climate on Parliament Hill. Others who quickly write up their opinions (even spiritual convictions) ought to consider the way their interpretation comes across.

"Love Won Out" provided an example of how internal Christian communication can carry inadvertent overtones. In his presentation, "Why is what they’re teaching so dangerous?", Dick Carpenter said that through pop culture, the gay community equates its views with being free and open-minded.

The gay movement makes claims to positive qualities: pride, self-esteem, tolerance and creativity. This is great marketing. Christians often condemn or react harshly to these expressions.

Carpenter apologized for the title of his presentation but it illustrates why public communication requires deeper thought, especially when discussing something like Bill C-250.

Never mind speculation about whether passages of the Bible might be equated with promoting hatred against the gay community. Consider how it would feel to be convicted of your sins and having that thrust in your face. Being called a sinner is one thing. Reading communications that call you "dangerous" is another.

Avoid labels

Labelling any group "dangerous" implies that something must be done to either contain or curtail what it is doing or to impact its freedoms. This is a message that provokes the group Christians profess to want to reach. The gay community has suffered verbal barbs from homophobic individuals and experienced violence and ostracism; their wariness is not without reason.

Bill C-250 is making many in Canada feel that religious freedom is under fire, but our situation pales in comparison with the restrictions imposed on Christians in other parts of the world. Keep Canadian Christianity’s alarm bells in perspective. As seriously as we take our political and legal battles, we need to find creative ways to present the beauty of God and His ways to people who desperately need Him. We must communicate a spirit of worship that will draw people to God.

The Church has a long track record of compassion and succour for those who are troubled or suffering. That’s when Christians expect people will turn to God. But what about the people who don’t think they need God?

Christians too often see the gay community as simply a troubled and argumentative group to contend with. Regardless of your opinions or experiences, it is worth taking to heart the idea that some of our assumptions and worldviews may immediately strike others the same way. Depending on how you explain your views, you might appear defensive or self-righteous.

It’s too bad that some of the protesters and conferencegoers didn’t mix, maybe by way of an outdoor picnic. The idea might sound ludicrous, potentially disastrous and maybe even a little dangerous. Court cases will still arise that demand Christian action, but greater investment in one-on-one communication could help bring about better outcomes.