The doors of the church are open to all seeking Jesus and Justice

I was invited by Melvin Woodworth, Pastor of First United Church to a discussion on religion and homosexuality at the Hide and Seek exhibit.  During the discussion, an African –American pastor of a local Baptist church stated the typical line of churches that do not support LGBT people in their churches. He spoke of how he could not support those living the gay lifestyle and it was not  part of  God’s plan for humanity. Finally at one point he stated that he received an insight, that he should refer the LGBT members of his congregation to churches that are accepting. Many in the room thought that was a bit step in his   own development, he acknowledge that the LGBT community should not be discriminated in housing and employment and spoke with warmth about the patriarch of his family who is gay.

His statement seems like a major shift for those attending, I however I felt uneasy about it, and had to  sit with the idea for a few weeks. It dawn on me what was the cause of my discomfort. Where could an LGBT person worship in a style that reflects the black church in an open and affirming faith community?

There are many wonderful open and affirming churches in Tacoma and Pierce County, but not one c that worships in a tradition for those from African-American and/or Spirit-filled backgrounds.   I realized that a lot of black LGBT people remain in homophobic churches because of cultural traditions from the Methodist, Baptist , Pentecostal  and even Catholic churches that worship in African-American styles. Though there is a connect to the worship tradition, even if it is disconnected from their sexuality. This kind of disconnect causes brokeness in some people.

I believe that as one is making the transition to accepting ourselves as LGBT, there is a comfort in hearing the sounds of Zion. So these people often sit on the edge of their churches, because they cannot live openly as a whole person. Christ has called us to wholeness and holiness.

 I want to  offer a place where those who have been on the edge of our churches bring people into the center of the church. but most important to  help people follow Jesus. One should expect to hear gospel/praise music, testimony, visual arts, dance, order of worship that reflect tradition and innovation, black preaching style and the sacraments.

Last week, I had a conversation with a gay man  who could not believe that it was possible  for him to be gay and Christian. It was like a burden lifted off his shoulders to know that God loves him and he did not have to give up being gay to follow Jesus. I told him that the simply that God loves you and there is a place for you to worship and grow in your faith.  It reminded me that we still have a message to share with the LGBT community.  The message is  that “God is love.”  We need “Whosoever” churches to proclaim a message where “Jesus and Justice” is our path to holiness.

I have been talking with folks in Tacoma about this dream to create a radically inclusive, racially diverse, Spirit-filled faith community here in Tacoma. So we go forth to build the Spirit of Christ Community Church, where the doors of the church are open for all to seek Jesus and Justice.

I have no idea where this will go, but I remember the words of my friend Anthony W. Sullivan for me to “run on and see what the end will be”

Let me be clear that while this church is targeting a specific group of people, the doors of the church are open to all seeking Jesus and Justice. No matter who you are, you are welcome to be a part of the Spirit of Christ Community Church. Please feel free to contact me if you have an interest in helping to build this new faith community in Tacoma!
www.spiritofchristtacoma.org

A missionary church: Go

I f we are going to be a missionary church, and then we must be people prepared to Go! The Great Commission began with the word “Go and make disciples”

The apostles and disciples were first sent to meet people where they were. Then an invitation was issued to come and see.  While we may have the form and function  of tradition, we must apply them  as though our neighbors and communities are the mission field that we are trying to reach and invite them to see what a life changed by Christ means in community. We know the day of Christendom is over. Gone are the days when we say if we build it, they will come. People are not attracted to a Christian community by its building, social standing or its great history. People are attracted to Christ, before they are attracted to the church. We must be willing to find new ways, new opportunities to live as the Body of Christ in our communities. Our worship will not always be in a church building. Worship alone will not be enough; we must help form people into Christians through worship, service and study. That will not all happen on Sundays.  What does the mission field look like in your community and how are you called to serve them?

Why John Wesley was so great an inspiration, was that he prepared the Itinerant Preachers to go where the people are, to create societies (congregations) where people grew in accountability and were formed as Christians through classes. They were then challenge to invite others into this new way of living. The goal was holiness of heart and life changed by love and grace.

Will those of us prepared to create this new emerging community, accept this commission and invitation.

Means of Grace by John Wesley

The Wesleyan Means of Grace

Courageous and forward-leaning mission congregations practice spiritual disciplines. Our vital work is a spiritual adventure based in John Wesley’s means of grace. John Wesley taught that God’s grace is unearned and that we were not to be idle waiting to experience grace but we are to engage in the means of grace. The means of grace are ways God works invisibly in disciples, hastening, strengthening and confirming faith so that God's grace pervades in and through disciples. As we look at the means of grace today, they can be divided into works of piety and the works of mercy.
Works of Piety
Individual Practices – reading, meditating and studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, regularly attending worship, healthy living, and sharing our faith with others
Communal Practices – regularly share in the sacraments, Christian conferencing (accountability to one another), and Bible study
Works of Mercy
Individual Practices - doing good works, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, and giving generously to the needs of others
Communal Practices – seeking justice, ending oppression and discrimination (for instance Wesley challenged Methodists to end slavery), and addressing the needs of the poor
Making disciples, growing vital congregations and transforming the world is part of a spiritual adventure that is empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit as churches engage in the means of grace. Spiritual goals are accomplished by connecting the means of grace with proven vital church practices such as planning, strategic direction, prioritization, clear focus and alignment.

Source for this material the United Methodist Church Board of Global Ministries.

Response To President Obama on Marriage Equality

The Christian United Church is thankful that President Obama has joined on this march to marriage equality. We will truly arrive at the day where we mean "One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all".