Today my church voted to allow same sex marriages to be performed by the clergy, whether in the sanctuary or at any other location. The point of the matter is that the LGBT population has as many rights as any other part of our society. This is a good thing. However, it’s a subject that has been visited by this congregation at least one other time within the last three months.
A few years ago there was a similar vote with regard to allowing women into the clergy and standing in their own right as preachers of the gospel and ministers of The Word. We won’t stop to consider that women before the turn of the century were respected prophets. But here we are in an aging Second Millennium and trying to get back to allowing women to be an integral part of society in a function more than merely bearing children and keeping house.
There’s beauty in each of us.
There are so many things that are troubling about our “modern” times that it is very difficult to contain this lively voice. I explode. So on reading on Facebook about this major progressive vote, my sensibilities exploded. I have full realization that my words in response to the notice will be deleted. So I copied them and share my thoughts about some of the protected classes that are part of the congregation and how the church’s welcoming attitude needs to become genuine with regard to all of those who pass through those doors and desire to be useful in living a fulfilling, Christian life.
So how much longer will it be until more faces of color, Black faces, Mocha faces, are acknowledged in *any* of the notices or in memoriam updates? How much longer will they continue to be the ones who are counted as the, “Yes, we have that too” population? When will they become the many hands and voices and minds that constitute the elements of Joseph’s coat of many colors that lead to the positive growth that is possible?
GLBT is now acknowledged and served. Substance abusers are quietly respected and supported.
The homeless are pitied and taught to become increasingly dependent so that they can continue to be pitied. Unfortunately, little thought is given to the fact that any type of disaster could happen and change the comfort and condition of a person so that they are in need of the kindness and respect of the Samaritan – one who will aid in getting up again in order to continue the very valid journey and business to be fulfilled.
The homeless have humanity. People of color have humanity and deserve respect. Just as women have humanity and deserve respect. Just as women are capable of being ministerial servants and preachers of The Word.
Likewise, we also need to be respectful and supportive of those who have disabilities. There needs to be education about conditions that can be exacerbated with inordinate and whimsical requirements in order to qualify to do some type of volunteerism. People have a need to believe they are valued and that their value is welcome, not merely a passing thought. People need to be able to have confidence in the Church that they enter at their peril lest their impairment is turned into their moment of being Samson.
Sponsored Links:
- Changing Our Mind, second edition: A call from America’s leading evangelical ethics scholar for full acceptance of LGBT Christians in the Church
- The Way of Grace: Finding God on the Path of Surrender (Renovare Resources)
The Pundit 