Celebrating New Things

Dear Caldwell,

Thanks to all who brought their pledges of time, talent and treasure on Sunday as promises to God for 2015. It was a spirited celebration of our calling to “Move Out” into the world in God’s name. Your pledges will advance the kingdom of God in real and meaningful ways. If you were not be able to be with us and still want to pledge, feel free to mail your information into the church, pledge online here or bring your pledge to worship this Sunday. We hope everyone will find a way to participate and we believe NO PLEDGE IS TOO SMALL in the building of the kingdom.

It didn’t take long for some to “move out” with a new ministry that stems from our 3D desire to work with more children. Buddy/Mentor, a non-profit elder Kim Bohannon founded years ago and still helps lead as a volunteer, kicked off at Caldwell on Sunday with 11 mentors and 9 buddies from Merry Oaks and Elizabeth Traditional schools. Buddy/Mentor is a proven model that has helped generations where it was founded in Connecticut. We’re blessed that these mentors and Kimbo are bringing it alive with their volunteer time and discipleship in Charlotte.

Last night, people from across Charlotte gathered to celebrate another new thing in North Carolina – the extension of the right and gift of marriage to same-gender couples. I was among several clergy who spoke a few words. My remarks are below. A related Observer clip on how various churches and denominations are reacting to recent judicial decisions is here.

I’m off bright and early Tuesday to a conference at Montreat on “How to Reach the Religiously Unaffiliated.” As you know, the “Nones” (those who choose “none” when polled about their religion) make up 1 in 5 Americans today, including many who call themselves “spiritual but not religious.” It’s a timely conference. Churches’ treatment of gays and lesbians is a major reason many people of all walks of life want nothing to do with the organized church today, along with other forms of oppression, division and hypocrisy. I look forward to sharing some of what I learn.

Finally, in case you didn’t see an op-ed article co-written by our own Molly Griffin about an important referendum on November’s ballot, you can read it by clicking here. (Congrats to Molly, who has a new granddaughter, Ari, born to Molly’s daughter, Ann.)  

May the Lord walk with you this week as you go.

In Christ,

John

Remarks from Interfaith Marriage Equality Celebration Worship Service, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

I had breakfast last week with a church member who used to be the chief engineer on a cruise ship. He told me something had recently dawned on him – that he felt most at home in two places – at sea and in church.

“Why is that?” I asked.

“I used to love to watch the radar,” he explained. “With the radar, you could see something coming and have time to prepare.”

So it has been with marriage equality and what you might call our “love and justice radar.”

We picked it up on the radar a while back … and we kept praying, kept preaching, kept advocating. It’s been a true personal privilege for me to work with the other clergy here tonight doing those things. And now, in North Carolina, it’s finally here.

Tonight, church and state stand together as pro-marriage and pro-liberty. Now if only those who usually champion those values might see them in a more gracious and loving light … and come to the party themselves. One day, perhaps. Or perhaps their children.

Speaking as a Presbyterian, I have to say that we got to this party just in time. The topic has been on our radar and in our prayers for years. Last summer, the Presbyterian Church (USA), at least, finally said “yes” to extending the blessing of marriage to same-sex couples. And I’m happy to say that plans are underway for two ceremonies at Caldwell, both with member couples who’ve been together for decades and have taught their ally friends a lot about courage, grace, commitment and fidelity.

Presbyterian leader Mark Achtemeier had once been against same-gender marriage. An evangelical, he committed to study scripture anew with the question in mind. And, he arrived at a new conclusion. I wanted to share some of what he wrote in his new book – and do so with complete respect for other faith traditions. He wrote:

“I think about all the alienated LGBT children of God whose lives have been so broken by the church’s confused proclamations, tragic misunderstandings and occasional outright malevolence.

“I find myself longing for the day when all who condemn and all who suffer will once again hear the clear voice of the gospel reaching out to bring healing and redemption in the midst of heartbreak and devastation.

“God’s word really is for them, the gospel is for them. Christ’s love is for them, God’s gifts of marriage and love and sexuality are for them. And the church of Jesus Christ needs to be for them, too.

“Biblical faithfulness requires it.”[1]

Tonight, let us celebrate … but let us also keep the faith and continue to work together, across all of our traditions, that more may know the radically inclusive love of the God we all share.