We were catching up with an old friend whose wife had passed away earlier this year. He is a devout man who sings in the choir of his Baptist church. His church is not an evangelical church as he notes their mantra is “God loves everyone.” He added, “there are no caveats.”
As evidence of their mantra, his choir will be singing with a LGBTQ+ choir at an upcoming event. I think this is very cool. It is a big tent approach to sharing their faith. They are walking the talk so to speak.
As further evidence, a charitable organization I was involved with has benefited greatly from working with this church. The organization helps homeless working families to get over a rough patch and place them in housing with a temporary subsidy and social worker support. The church provides space for the administrative staff of the organization and one of its shelters which can house seven families until they get placed.
In my advocacy work with churches for this organization seeing churches who focus on outreach to those in need is a joy to see. I have seen exemplars like this one. I have also seen some that are not so organized. That is unfortunate.
To me, there is a psychic income to helping others. The giver gets as much good out of the encounter as the recipient. So, when I see churches focus on being exclusive, it makes me sad. Using the Bible as a weapon to divide does not serve its mission very well. Using it to invite and connect with people is a far better message. The same goes for other religious texts. Inclusion is a much better sales approach than exclusion.
We should remember our desires as humans are the same regardless of religion – love and raise our families in a safe environment where we can feed, clothe and house them. That is the mission we should enable. Remember, there are no caveats.
musingsofanoldfart 
Agree 100 percent. This church is a model for all the rest of them.
Thanks Larry. I agree about this particular church. It would be nice is more emulated them. Keith
I agree, Keith. The person who reaches out to help is doubly blessed.
Thanks VJ. That is a nice way to put it. Keith
Note to Readers: A church I attended at the suggestion of someone in the social worker community is very like the church I noted above with a huge exception. Its members come from a host of diverse backgrounds. One of the most impressive things I witnessed is a female pastor who everyone called Pastor Flo asked for prayer requests during the service. She then wove over 40 such prayer requests into a beautiful prayer.
Obviously, she took notes, but she only glanced at her notes knowing enough about the sick, injured or disenfranchised parishioners. She knew her audience and they knew her. I wish for every church to be so fortunate to be led by someone who exudes such kindness.
On the flip side, not very far from here is an evangelical Baptist minister who has preached on putting Gays and Lesbians behind an electrified fence with a goal to having them die off. These hateful words were uttered in a house of worship. It should be noted that many in favor of the rights of LGBTQ+ people picketed the church the next week in protest. Like these folks, I find the minister’s words to be a gross abuse of stewardship and leadership.
what wonderful sentiments Keith! 💖
Thanks Cindy.
Pleasure!!! 💕
What an excellent example of humanity! This, I think, is what religion should be, what churches should do. From what I hear and read, far too many churches are more exclusive than inclusive, and spend their time criticizing those who look, act, or believe a bit differently than them. They would do far better to spend their time, and their parishioner’s donations, doing good and helping people like the two churches you mention. Thanks for shining a bright light on their humanity!
Jill, thanks. I do think you read about the exclusive ones far more than the inclusive ones. So, it may seem the bad ones greatly outnumber the good ones. Keith
‘Tis the same with everything, isn’t it? Bad stuff, evil people, bigotry, etc. sell ad copy, so that’s what you see in the news. Sad, unfair, but true. I would hope that the good outnumber the bad churches, since from my limited understanding, Christianity is supposed to be about love and equality. It’s hard to say anymore, and I think the evangelical ones are, in most cases, exclusive, weeding out women who stand up for their rights, LGBTQ people, and essentially any who don’t fit into their narrow-minded box. And that is, to me, the opposite of what religion should be.
Tis indeed. That is why your good news post is so informative.