Karen R. Keen Eerdmans, 160 pages Reviewed by Linda Lanam The debate surrounding the position of the church and its individual members on questions of sexual identity all too often sends what Karen R. Keen refers to as “traditionalists” and “progressives” to opposite sides of the field, sides from which they rarely move. And there is nothing in Keen’s little book, “Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships,” that is likely to finally bring resolution to the contentious issue. However, she offers a balanced discussion of the subject grounded in church history, biblical studies and Christian ethics and reflects on her own life experiences as she came to terms with being gay and Christian. Framing the topic factually offers a foundation for conversation that may at least tempt opponents to take a step or two toward the middle. Keen opens with a brief summary of the response of the church to same-sex relationships. Her discussion of the scientific and … [Read more...]
Loving the foreigner: Opening church doors to transgender asylum-seekers
When our church was asked to provide transitional housing for transgender women recently granted asylum or temporary release, my initial thought was: “We just might be able to do it.” We already decided to use our building’s adjacent apartment to host asylum candidates released from the Cibola Detention Center, 80 miles west of Albuquerque. Our first guest, Ezekiel (not his real name), was from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DRC government killed his father for speaking out against corruption. Ezekiel, a Christian rock artist back home, walked with a limp because the government tortured him in response to his outspokenness. His arduous journey from Africa took him to South America, and then north through Central America, before turning himself in to U.S. border patrol agents at the border in Mexico. The United States granted him asylum. Ezekiel stayed with our congregation for 10 days. The congregation showered him with gifts and love and Ezekiel expressed his gratitude. … [Read more...]
The importance of language
On her last Sunday morning with our congregation, Sasha stood before us resplendent in a lovely dress and a new haircut. Even as her voice quivered and farewell tears slipped down her face, she presented herself with a poise and outer joy that came with the anticipation of starting over elsewhere. Finally, Sasha was free to be herself. Sasha had shown up at church a year earlier. She took her place in the pews alongside the teachers, bankers, plumbers, lawyers, short order cooks, shift workers and retirees who make up our varied congregation. She enthusiastically joined the church and our adult Sunday school class, offering meaningful insights, the wisdom of life and impressive biblical literacy. A banker with international responsibilities, she even led a class on Hinduism based on the knowledge she’d gained on regular business trips and long stays in India. The congregation embraced and respected her. One day, she called to make an appointment with me. She had something … [Read more...]
Worship for all abilities — April 15, 2019
Church ought to be a place where everyone feels fully welcomed and wanted. Nonetheless, radical hospitality requires intentionality, listening and planning. This issue of the Outlook shares stories of congregations seeking to be church for everybody. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Everybody’s church A warm welcome is essential, but moving from welcome to belonging is vital. Cindy Merten shares practical tips for including people of all abilities in the life of the church. Building community from the inside out TrailPraisers invites all ages, stages, faiths and abilities to be church together. Katy Stenta describes a new worship service in New York. Living creatively with diminishments Kent Ira Groff explains seven lessons he’s learned after a Parkinson’s diagnosis. … [Read more...]
Grief and gratitude
Guest commentary by Lara Hauser What does grief have to do with stewardship and giving? They seem like pretty disparate subjects, but I find them to be deeply intertwined. In many churches, stewardship season is a time to talk about gratitude and generosity. I may be unique, but I think it is a good time to talk about grief as well, because, as a widow, I think it is always a good time to talk about grief. And I’d like to make a case that grief and gratitude can go hand in hand. Last fall, our church offered a class on the theology of wealth. It was a really good class, taught by a gifted instructor and, like all good teachers, he asked provocative questions that refused to leave me alone. One question in particular really stuck with me: “What does how you live say about your theology?” The question lingered in my mind, insisting on my attention. Another way to phrase that might be: What defines your life? What will people think about or talk about when your name comes … [Read more...]
Who am I?
It has been over 22 years since the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta sustained my ordination after I completed a gender transition from male to female. While it was certainly historic (I am the first mainstream minister to make such a transition and remain ordained), it did little to change how the church deals with the issue of gender. The world, however, moved on. Gender has become one of the major conversations in our culture, and if the institutions of faith are going to influence this conversation, we must first learn how to speak this language. Last summer the 223rd General Assembly gave us encouragement in the adoption of an overture from the Presbytery of New Castle, “On Affirming and Celebrating the Full Dignity and Humanity of People of All Gender Identities.” The document goes a long way toward challenging us to treat people whose gender expression varies from what we might call “normal” with dignity and respect. A wise and courageous position for our church to take, it … [Read more...]
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