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