The GLBT Lifestyle & The African-American Church

The African-American church is at a crossroad. We have come to the place where we must clearly define our purpose for existence or risk losing any remaining credibility we have within our respective communities. The purpose of any church that operates under the name of Jesus Christ, as I understand it, is to be agents of reconciliation for all people. After all, John 3:16 does say whoever believes in Christ shall gain eternal life. To reconcile simply means to bridge the divide between God and man. The sole divider in each of our lives is sin. Sin is any behavior that runs contrary to the Word of God. Therefore, to isolate the sin of homosexuality and demonize those who practice it is not only counter-productive to our scripturally mandated purpose, but it is also hypocritical. It is counter-productive because we have set the house of God on fire with our fire and brimstone messages against people and yet we are wondering why people don’t want to come in to the Christian Faith. Who, except firefighters, goes into burning buildings?! This is hypocritical because we have taken a hard line stand against those who practice the GLBT lifestyle without offering a hint of compassion or grace like we do for those who practice other “acceptable” forms of sin in our eyes such as fornication or adultery. Who among us does not need the grace of God?

For decades, in the African-American church, we have created a culture of hostility towards our own brothers and sisters because of their homosexual lifestyles. Historically, we have accepted the GLBT lifestyle in our churches as long as we were benefitted somehow, i.e., gifted musician, large financial contributor, or someone of fame and notoriety. It seems that it has never occurred to us that some of our brothers and sisters may actually agree with us that their lifestyle runs contrary to the Word of God. However, they dare not come seek spiritual guidance from us because they don’t know if Pastor Perfect is going to judge them and put them on Front Street. Having served as a Senior Pastor for nearly 13 years now I am beginning to wonder why only one person has ever felt comfortable enough to discuss this particular struggle with me. Maybe it is because that one person is the only person in all of these years that has ever engaged in homosexual behavior, or could it be that I have portrayed myself to be “holier than thou” and without understanding and compassion? I think the latter.

Fellow African-Americans, here is the reality that we must face. There are those in all of our congregations who practice the GLBT lifestyle. Some are perfectly comfortable in this lifestyle while others long for someone to minister to them and show them a way out of it. It is our sacred duty as Christians to understand, be compassionate and non-judgmental as we offer our own the ministry they desire and deserve. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus was silent regarding the issue of homosexuality, but He did have this to say in Matthew 22:37-40, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets.” There was a woman in the Bible (John 8) who was caught in the very act of adultery. This was not idle gossip, innuendo, or slander. It was pure fact that she was engaged in adultery. When left alone with Jesus, He neither condemned her, nor condoned her behavior. He simply provided grace and peace. At this crossroad where we now stand, let us all strive to be more like Jesus or risk losing any remaining credibility that we may have within our respective communities.

Grace & Peace
Pastor B.