Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley review... and thoughts on "Compassion-Partiality"

Today almost 150 people from churches throughout the Silicon Valley participated in the Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley under the name Team Beautiful Day. This team was the largest team and raised the most money of groups participating. While I secretly reveled in "largest" and "most" categories, there was something much more tangible for me and my fellow team-mates. Most evangelical churches have distanced themselves from the HIV/AIDS community. Some make the callous statements that "sinful people got what they deserved", while others ignore the problem locally yet send thousands of dollars globally for AIDS relief. While caring for those suffering globally is noble... ignoring this issue locally sends a mixed message to those already skeptical of the church, and points to what I call "compassion-partiality". Exactly one year and four months ago, we wrestled with our own "compassion-partiality" while we sent incredible sums of money to those suffering on the other side of the globe... and because of our own predjudices and indifferences ignored the local componant of a global pandemic. We decided to walk in the San Francisco AIDS walk 2006. Shortly after that walk I made a cold call visit to the Billy DeFrank Center to ask for other areas where we could support. That connection lead us to the Living Center in San Jose... the only HIV/AIDS community center in Santa Clara County. One year later we have an ongoing relationship with the Living Center and are currently doing a make over at the Food distribution center next door (that does delievery for AIDS shut-ins and walk-ins), as well serve in numerous venues to those in that community. I must note that my reasons for writing this is not for self (or group) grandizing... but to make a point. After todays walk, and a reflection of our growing re-connection with the gay community and care for the HIV/AIDS community, I feel compelled to call churches to re-engage in bringing compassion, hope, relief, and message of Jesus through our actions... and by showing up in areas of their community that need it most. To shut up, and show up... and even cough up... for a cause!