An Evangelical Megachurch Pastor and I Both Agree: Churches Should Be Clear About Their Anti-LGBTQ Beliefs and Policies
www.perspectiveshift.co
While we have different reasons for our convictions, I am happy to report that I actually agree with evangelical megachurch pastor and author, J.D. Greear.
One of the values of Liminal Church of Ventura is Acceptance. We believe that intentionally welcoming and accepting all into the total life and ministry of the Liminal family is just one way of living out the Mission, Vision, and Values of this church. In the desire to create a safe, nurturing space for all in this environment we have decided to spell out exactly what we mean. We welcome all, including but not limited to: persons of any age, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical ability, family configuration, social or economic circumstance, or mental health. All are invited to take part in every aspect of church life, including opportunities to serve, baptism, and marriage. Together we will focus on what it means to love God and to love our neighbors in today’s world. Together we desire to be transformed by God and respond with action that brings shalom to our world, our community, and to those around us.
Thank you for this post. I attended a Methodist church for 24 years. My husband and I raised our two sons in this church. This church was a piece of who we were. Our church mission was to love God and unleash compassion. We were told all were welcome at our church. When the church communicated we would vote to disaffiliate due to a conflict regarding homosexuality, I emailed the senior pastor my views and let him know I would love to share books and my thoughts from research on the topic. I did not receive a response. Last Sunday the church voted in favor to disaffiliate from the UMC. Our church did not want to recognize gay marriage or have members of the LGBTQ community serve at the church. My husband and I were devastated at the decision. We left the church in tears. This week we resigned from the committees we were on. The loss we feel is more than I expected. We are now searching for a new church home and pray we will find one that is honest with their LGBTQ beliefs and policies. I do not want to feel this hurt, anger, and disappointment again. If I feel this way as an ally, I cannot imagine what someone in the LGQTB community feels on a daily basis. It breaks my heart. This strengthens my mission to let the LGBTQ community know they are wonderfully created by God and deserve equality in all aspects of their life. Thank you for what you do. Your work is a blessing to me and so many others.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I spent 5+ years saying that it was not enough for our church to believe it was inclusive, we had to SAY IT. And not just All are welcome, we had to spell it out if we wanted people to truly trust us. We do now have a statement, and I am much relieved.
You may be interested in the Honest Church initiative initiated by the Student Christian Movement in the UK last year which encourages churches to be transparent about their stance on LGBTQ issues. Here is their website
You are right on target with this one Colby! I was a little worried about your perception on your last email. But you nailed it this time! The world needs this kind of clarity!! Thank you!
My perception is that many churches/denominations are not fully aware of the explanations for transitioning to inclusivity. I remember years ago "feeling" like condemning the LGBTQ community was wrong, but I didn't have an intellectual explanation as to why. That is, until I read Colby Martin's book "Unclobbered". It was then that I fully understood how I had been mislead by my previous denomination, and I truly understood the deception behind condemning the LGBTQ community.
This is my Church’s statement...
One of the values of Liminal Church of Ventura is Acceptance. We believe that intentionally welcoming and accepting all into the total life and ministry of the Liminal family is just one way of living out the Mission, Vision, and Values of this church. In the desire to create a safe, nurturing space for all in this environment we have decided to spell out exactly what we mean. We welcome all, including but not limited to: persons of any age, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical ability, family configuration, social or economic circumstance, or mental health. All are invited to take part in every aspect of church life, including opportunities to serve, baptism, and marriage. Together we will focus on what it means to love God and to love our neighbors in today’s world. Together we desire to be transformed by God and respond with action that brings shalom to our world, our community, and to those around us.
Thank you for this post. I attended a Methodist church for 24 years. My husband and I raised our two sons in this church. This church was a piece of who we were. Our church mission was to love God and unleash compassion. We were told all were welcome at our church. When the church communicated we would vote to disaffiliate due to a conflict regarding homosexuality, I emailed the senior pastor my views and let him know I would love to share books and my thoughts from research on the topic. I did not receive a response. Last Sunday the church voted in favor to disaffiliate from the UMC. Our church did not want to recognize gay marriage or have members of the LGBTQ community serve at the church. My husband and I were devastated at the decision. We left the church in tears. This week we resigned from the committees we were on. The loss we feel is more than I expected. We are now searching for a new church home and pray we will find one that is honest with their LGBTQ beliefs and policies. I do not want to feel this hurt, anger, and disappointment again. If I feel this way as an ally, I cannot imagine what someone in the LGQTB community feels on a daily basis. It breaks my heart. This strengthens my mission to let the LGBTQ community know they are wonderfully created by God and deserve equality in all aspects of their life. Thank you for what you do. Your work is a blessing to me and so many others.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I spent 5+ years saying that it was not enough for our church to believe it was inclusive, we had to SAY IT. And not just All are welcome, we had to spell it out if we wanted people to truly trust us. We do now have a statement, and I am much relieved.
You may be interested in the Honest Church initiative initiated by the Student Christian Movement in the UK last year which encourages churches to be transparent about their stance on LGBTQ issues. Here is their website
https://honestchurch.org.uk/
As we think about God and his ways - you may enjoy this: https://tynichols.substack.com/p/entering-gods-presence-the-essential-7c1#details
You are right on target with this one Colby! I was a little worried about your perception on your last email. But you nailed it this time! The world needs this kind of clarity!! Thank you!
My perception is that many churches/denominations are not fully aware of the explanations for transitioning to inclusivity. I remember years ago "feeling" like condemning the LGBTQ community was wrong, but I didn't have an intellectual explanation as to why. That is, until I read Colby Martin's book "Unclobbered". It was then that I fully understood how I had been mislead by my previous denomination, and I truly understood the deception behind condemning the LGBTQ community.