Why I’m Interning at The Marin Foundation

Last updated on: June 13, 2014 at 10:16 am by Andrew Marin

Why I’m Interning at The Marin Foundation 2014-06-13T10:16:09-05:00 Andrew Marin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The following post is by Ian Brown, student at Moody Bible Institute, and a summer intern with The Marin Foundation.

After telling people I was interning with The Marin Foundation I got one of two responses:

1. “Oh wow, that’s so interesting and I think it’s great they do that!”

2. “Oh wow, but you don’t condone that sort of lifestyle, do you?”

The Marin Foundation, of course, seeks to build bridges between the LGBTQ community and faith groups, specifically the Christian Church. Some of my well-intentioned conservative friends became worried my theology had taken a wrong turn.

I eventually learned the best answer to the second question was “I guess I’m still learning.” This was my response because I believe while I may not have my theology set up and ready to go, I’m not disqualified to build bridges. In fact, my uncertainty is one of the reasons I wanted to help out at The Marin Foundation in the first place.

While preparing for this internship, I felt the need to know what to say when I was asked what I believe regarding my theology on same-sex relationships. I expected I would arrive at The Marin Foundation, sit down, learn all the answers, and then get started. But as soon as I got here, I lost interest in knowing the theological “answers”. Suddenly I was more focussed on going and doing. I felt a sense of relief when I learned the staff I would be working with didn’t necessarily agree on every issue.

One of the beautiful things about The Marin Foundation is they don’t pick sides. Because by connecting with a community, learning and growing can take place. I’m in a place where I don’t want to impose my beliefs on anyone, I want to learn how to accept, live with and learn from a group of people whom The Church has harmed.

So moving forward, I may not learn all the theology I’ll ever need in life from this internship. I actually may come out more confused about what I believe than when I began. But I think I’ll also look back on this time and confidently say that, while I didn’t know my theology backwards and forwards, I stood in solidarity with people and acted in love to bring two groups of people together in the name of Christ.

Guest Posts

Previous Post

June 9, 2014

The Trevor Project @ Roscoe's Tonight

Next Post

June 16, 2014 The Bible's Answer to the Problem of Sexism (Part 2)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Bridging Opposing Worldviews Culture Don't Drink and Drive Faith Guest Posts I'm Sorry Campaign Interviews Language Laura Statesir LGBT Living in the Tension Living in the Tension Gatherings Love Is an Orientation Love Is an Orientation Blog Love Is an Orientation Book Love Is an Orientation DVD Melinda Guerra Memory My One Sentence Bible Newsletter Our Last Option Parents & Families Politics Quick Quotes Quotes ReEngaging Civility Sexuality Speaking The Marin Foundation Theology Uncategorized Us Versus Us Videos Warren Perry Youth and Campus Ministry

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz