This statement, shared by another pastor, made its way to my ears as their video scrolled across my social media page. This was part of their sermon that they had clipped and shared online for the world to see and hear. And... in first hearing it, the words washed over me in a way that felt calming and loving. These words of welcome felt authentic and I found them speaking to my heart.
And as I read through some of the comments on the video itself, it was clear that I was not the only one captured by their words.
"I wish more churches would say this."
"Where is your church? I'd love to come. I don't go to church anymore because I don't feel welcome."
"Thank you for saying this! I had to leave my church when I came out in 2010. I haven't been back to God's house since then and I miss it!"
There are nearly 2000 comments on the video, many sharing a similar sentiment... overwhelmed by the extravagant welcome in this pastor's words. In addition, many name their own unfortunate journey with the church in the past where it was made clear they are not welcome.
For many of us who claim to be Christ-followers, this pastor's message rings true to what we seek to live according to the life and teachings of Jesus. The extravagant welcome and radical hospitality of Christ is foundational for us as a faith community. For in extending these things to all of God's children, we are living the love and justice of Jesus more fully.
And to know that there are many, at least in the comments on this pastor's video, who long for such an authentic welcome... many who have been harmed by the institutional church in the past, is a stark reminder for us all of how vital it is that we continue to live according to Christ's teachings.
If only the message shared were true...
I say this because the brief snippet shared online comes from a sermon that overall sends a very different message.
In the full context of the sermon, this pastor's message is... if you identify as "homosexual," you are welcome in our church building, but...
Let me stop here for just a moment... To offer words of welcome and words of love followed by the word "but" is to say that this love is conditional. And this pastor makes it very clear what conditions within which this love is available.
The sermon goes on to condemn homosexuality, mistakenly taking scripture out of its original context and adding harmful, toxic theology to it... much like the snippet shared online was taken out of its original context in an effort to draw people in. It is nothing more than deception. It is not in line with the teachings of Jesus. And it is absolutely not of God.
Many of those in the comments named how they had been deceived by other churches in the past. They speak of how they have been excluded and condemned by churches wielding scripture as a weapon. And this message was no different.
At Newman UCC, we work hard to live into the extravagant welcome modeled for us by Jesus. We strive to extend the radical hospitality we've been taught. And no... we don't always get it right. We aren't perfect, by any means. However, we also aren't deceiving people with our message... telling them they are welcome only to bring them into our community so we can then diminish their existence with a scriptural attack.
This type of abuse has been happening in the institutional church for far too long. And in large part, it plays a significant role in what is turning so many people away from Christianity.
If we want to further Jesus' movement in the world, we must work to release it from the death grip in which the institutional church holds it. We must name the inaccuracies portrayed in the messages shared by individuals and communities who seek to cause harm.
We must, as Jesus did, speak truth... and in doing so, assure those who have been harmed along the way that we are seeking to bring about change for the better. It is in this effort that we will more fully live the love and justice of Jesus in the world.
Blessings and Peace,
Timoth
If you want to see the original video and a portion of the sermon I'm referencing, CLICK HERE to view the TikTok response video I posted.
