It is sad indeed that the issue of homosexuality has become, as Tony Campolo has called it, one of the “hot potatoes” of the church today. It has particularly become a lightning rod for the so-called “mainline” churches. The problem is one of ignorance and
In the world of gay and lesbian publishing, you can often judge your success by the number of death threats you have received. Author Keith Hartman says since his book Congregations in Conflict: The Battle Over Homosexuality (Rutgers University Press) hit stores, he has received a
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists was initiated at a gathering of pastors at the 1991 American Baptists’ Biennial meeting in Charleston, West Virginia, and was formally organized at the 1993 Biennial in San Jose, California. By 1995 the Association had grown to over
Listen to the podcast interview As we have seen in this issue, many “mainstream” churches are opening their doors to gays and lesbians. This action is undoubtedly being blessed by God as evidenced by the growth and other miracles these churches have experienced. It’s good
From the Ontario Centre for Religious Freedom Many gays and lesbians remain partially or completely in the “closet”. They often find the Church as the last place that they would want to “come out”, because of the fear of rejection and homophobia. This is unfortunate,
There was a parade on the first Sunday Dr. Mike Cordle began his tenure in the summer of 1990 at Atlanta’s St. Mark United Methodist Church. “I thought, how nice, they’re welcoming us to Atlanta,” he remembered, “then I realized it was not for us,
“Gays and lesbians will lead the church’s great revival.” I heard these words several years ago, spoken by an MCC minister in Atlanta. These words may well be prophetic given the extraordinary number of mainstream churches now dealing with gays and lesbians in their congregations.
Too often when gays and lesbians think of religion, they think about people like Pat Robertson, Ralph Reed or Jerry Falwell: men who would use the Bible against them. That’s why it’s refreshing when you find a group of people who make it their purpose
The devil went down to Greenville, S.C. It’s the dream of every growing congregation to have a building they can call their own. It’s a milestone that many churches with ministries to gays and lesbians have achieved. The congregation of MCC Greenville believed they had
This issue has been dedicated to exploring the question “Can you be gay and Christian?” I believe our contributors have searched the scriptures and given us a resounding “YES!” Now that we know God loves us and made us just as we are, where do