Congregational Survey Results
My family and I have been here at Grace UMC for several months now and we have been filled with joy getting to know this congregation and this community (even during a pandemic)! Usually a pastor spends the first year in a church getting to know the people and learning about how this particular church operates. I know I still have plenty of people to meet and things to learn! One thing that I have already learned about is this church’s unique ministry to those on the margins of society through the reconciling ministries network, a group that wants us to live out our baptismal vows to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression.”
About a year ago the church was surveyed regarding the creation of a congregational covenant with the LGBTQ community. I’d like to share with you the results of that survey, but first I want to share some of my own thoughts in regards to this topic. I recognize that even bringing up this discussion is a lose/lose proposition. Some will say I have said too much, while others will say I didn’t go far enough. I am torn between what I see as two good motivations - one to build up the people of the church, uniting us to do good things in our community, and a second motivation of curtailing hateful, destructive tendencies that hurt people and injure our witness to the world. Many of you will have noticed my dogged determination in rightly interpreting the scriptures when I preach. I stay very close to the meaning of the scriptures in its original context hoping we can apply it well to our situation today. I would describe myself as obsessed with this process of trying to rightly understand the scriptures. Essentially, nothing matters to me more than what the Bible says. So, understanding the scriptures properly on this topic is the single most important goal to me, but not everyone thinks the way I do, or has the same focus on the scriptures as me. As helpful as a journey through the scriptures on this topic could be, it will not solve all of our problems. As individuals, we will still think differently about how to live in relationship with others, and those in the LGBTQ community. Instead of trying to dive into the scriptures (which I believe will be helpful for us at a future time), what I’d like to share here is a key concept behind this topic. Its something that perhaps all of us can agree on and that is, ‘who is welcome to worship?’
At the creation Adam and Eve were in the garden and communed with God. In Genesis 22 Abraham is about to offer a sacrifice in worship to God. In Exodus 34 Moses climbs to the top of Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments. God “passed before him” and proclaimed to Moses, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” After hearing this Moses quickly bowed his head and worshiped God. Psalm 29 says, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness,” and Psalm 150, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Over and over the scriptures describe an orientation of humans toward God as one demanding that all people worship the Lord.
The life of Jesus tells us more about worship, even as his actions pushed the envelope for many. He was called a glutton and drunkard because of his time spent with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34). He healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, someone who was Greek, and decidedly non-Jewish (Mark 7:26). In John 8, a woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Jesus to be judged by him. Instead he said “whoever is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” None were without sin, so Jesus did not condemn her. With a man who had leprosy, a disease so deadly and contagious whole villages were deemed “unclean” and off limits to the rest of society, Jesus “reached out his hand and touched the man (Mark 1:41).” When Jesus encountered a man who was paralyzed for thirty-eight years he told him to pick up his mat and walk. The Gospel of John explains that this act took place on the Sabbath, a clear violation of the law to not work on that day (John 5:1-18). Over and over Jesus heals, forgives, builds relationships and makes things right, even with people the religious types deem “unworthy.” In speaking about his death he reveals the purpose of his life, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself (John 12:32).” Jesus died on a cross so that all people would worship the one true God.
When I think of the modern day church, I think our role is to carry on the work of Jesus, welcoming all people, and drawing them to worship God. In the United Methodist Church we echo this sentiment in Article 4 of our Constitution: “The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all people are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs [and] receive the sacraments…” There is no one that we bar from worship. We may take certain steps to protect people, such as with a violent or psychotic participant in worship. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic we have taken precautionary steps and put in restrictions so people are safe, but never do we selectively remove someone from worship. In fact, I often hear people say the exact opposite - they want more people in worship; they want everyone to participate! This is good news, and I think it reflects the heart of Jesus. We do everything we can to welcome and invite as many people as possible into worship with us. There are no restrictions or litmus tests - everyone is welcome.
When it comes to the question of the LGBTQ community and their participation in worship, I cannot find a justification for excluding them. Whatever your thoughts or beliefs, one way or another, I imagine we can all agree that in worship we are offering an opportunity for transformation. We want people to grow deeper in the faith, and this is the place to do it! This is the place we can gather to declare Jesus is Lord, and what better way can we declare his Lordship than through modeling our lives after his. We don’t ignore those the world rejects. We don’t stone those the world deems guilty. We don’t call people unworthy. We are all worthy of God’s love and so we share it with all, no matter what. You are blessed by God so that you can be a blessing to the whole world, so invite and welcome everyone in worship with us at Grace United Methodist Church.
Below you will find the summary of the survey results from our congregation. Thank you to all who shared their responses. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at pastor.brian@gumc.org. God bless!