Keep going. People can change and therefore so can Churches. Ours in Ottawa went through a period of discernment regarding LGTBQ+ inclusion. Over 95% supported FULL inclusion in all aspects of church life and leadership. A few left. Some stayed who weren’t completely on board. I respect them for staying - they need inclusion too. Keep going.
Thank you for sharing, Bryan! That gives me hope. I’m glad your entire church was able to go through the discernment process. I think more people would support full inclusion if we could just get to that conversation. I agree, I don’t want to see anyone excluded. Even people who hold the traditional belief should find belonging at church, but not at the expense of other people. In your community, it sounds like everyone is truly welcome. I hope your experiences together have made your community stronger. Our lives are enriched by our uniqueness and diversity.
Thank you for such an articulate essay. I have to admit I have been around the LBGTQ+ community since I was a little girl. I never thought our family friends and then my own friends in this community were any different than I was. I am ALWAYS astonished how some people can hate someone because they are not like they are. I firmly believe that EVERYONE belongs to the Kingdom of God. Laws that are being passed to exclude people are just wrong. God loves all of His creations. I firmly believe God does not make mistakes. So thank you for this honest and thoughtful essay. I hope it will reach a wide audience.
Thank you, Sharon. I always appreciate your perspective. We often get stuck in our own bubbles - how enriching it must be to have had a diverse community from such a young age. ❤️
Keep going. People can change and therefore so can Churches. Ours in Ottawa went through a period of discernment regarding LGTBQ+ inclusion. Over 95% supported FULL inclusion in all aspects of church life and leadership. A few left. Some stayed who weren’t completely on board. I respect them for staying - they need inclusion too. Keep going.
Thank you for sharing, Bryan! That gives me hope. I’m glad your entire church was able to go through the discernment process. I think more people would support full inclusion if we could just get to that conversation. I agree, I don’t want to see anyone excluded. Even people who hold the traditional belief should find belonging at church, but not at the expense of other people. In your community, it sounds like everyone is truly welcome. I hope your experiences together have made your community stronger. Our lives are enriched by our uniqueness and diversity.
Thank you for such an articulate essay. I have to admit I have been around the LBGTQ+ community since I was a little girl. I never thought our family friends and then my own friends in this community were any different than I was. I am ALWAYS astonished how some people can hate someone because they are not like they are. I firmly believe that EVERYONE belongs to the Kingdom of God. Laws that are being passed to exclude people are just wrong. God loves all of His creations. I firmly believe God does not make mistakes. So thank you for this honest and thoughtful essay. I hope it will reach a wide audience.
Thank you, Sharon. I always appreciate your perspective. We often get stuck in our own bubbles - how enriching it must be to have had a diverse community from such a young age. ❤️