Journeys...

Our governing board voted last Sunday night to become a "More Light" Presbyterian Church. More Light Presbyterians work for full inclusion of all people, particularly people who are gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual.

Well...many will think…clearly they are a liberal congregation.

They would be wrong.

We are a middle class congregation in the western part of a small city that has served God as a congregation for a little over 50 years. We are young and old, liberal and conservative, white and black and asian and indian, verbal and quiet, active and inactive….like most congregations in America. We were not founded around any particular issue or stance. One church in the late fifties saw a need for a new congregation in a growing part of our city and created a congregation that took hold and thrived. We were a "neighborhood church."

What has happened to us in the last five years, in a sometimes painful process, is we have been transformed by God's Spirit. We are still middle class, still young and old, liberal and conservative, white and black and asian and indian, verbal and quiet, active and inactive. But God has brought us into new places of ministry.

Interestingly, the painful part of our transformation has not been around GLTB issues. It has been more about how we live our discipleship, how we spend our money, what our worship will look like, who our staff will be. We wanted to be "like we used to be." That was hard to define. Our worship is not that different. Our preaching is pretty traditional. Our music is mostly traditional…with a good sprinkling of variety based on the musical gifts of the congregation. So how do we go "back?" "Get rid of the staff," was starting point…but thinking you could find staff like the staff of the 1960's puts you right back into that "cannot go back" dilemma.

What we really needed, and what we got from God-at-work, was the ability to live and serve together without being afraid. We got a new kind of trust, a realization that what we thought was "the worst" was opportunity to grow and learn, a light in what we were experiencing as darkness.

God called new members into this congregation. God brought new gifts. God focused us on prayer and Bible study, service and generosity. Most importantly, God taught us to be together in our differences…united not in the things that make us alike, but in the One that links us together. We live and serve united in Christ, because we are all very different.

One of our committees, evangelism, brought this motion to become a More Light Congregation. There wasn't a group of people politicking for it. There wasn't a ground-swell. I know after the fact there was prayer, particularly expressed by parents of GLTBQ kids who grew up in this congregation. Once we began to discuss this as a congregation we got nothing we expected. We expected conflict; we got questions. We expected push-back; we got curiosity. We expected fear; we got much rejoicing.

Not everyone in the congregation was in favor of the decision. We are still a congregation of all political, theological, economic, and insert-your-issue-here stripes. No particular "group" has dissented. A few people have. They should. Dissent leads us to more prayer, more study, better listening, more care for each other…and ultimately, a deeper trust in the work and timing of our sovereign God.

I was challenged thirty years ago to re-evaluate my stance against "homosexuality." I did not grow up in a faith tradition that practiced full inclusion. I read the Bible and see the texts used for condemnation. I am troubled by much I see in the biblical text on this issue and others.

But I saw Jesus practice radical hospitality and forgiveness. I saw Jesus invite sinners and outcasts into full community. I heard his warnings against judging others. And what I decided a long time ago, what I live by today, and what I will stake my life and actions on in the future is erring on the side of acceptance and grace. If I have to come before God at some point and justify my actions, I will justify radical inclusion…not just on this issue, but in every possible difference.

Is it an easy process. No. Do I agree with all those I accept for who they are? No. Do they agree with me? No. Is it easier to live and serve in a community where people think the same and vote the same and act the same? Sure.

Is it the body of Christ?

No.

The richness of the learning, the community, the connection with each other when we have to depend on God and not on our own "rightness" is precious and meaningful. We have grown stronger embracing our differences.

We remain liberal and conservative, white and black and asian and indian, verbal and quiet, active and inactive. Many celebrate the ability to let people know they will be safe and welcomed here. But we do so with humility. We are not perfect. We have more learning to do. We know it is easy to be afraid of those "not like" us.

But this is our journey in this time. God has called us here. We will step forward, trusting that God has something in mind for us that we could not imagine for ourselves.

What we know, for sure, is this discipleship thing is never, ever, dull. God's journey is one of surprises. And all are invited to journey with us.