Newark Congregational Church

Here’s my latest article for the Newark Advertiser’s Credo column

I’d be interested to hear your reaction.

Mark

My all-time favourite television show is The West Wing. For those who don’t know it’s about a fictional US President, Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen. He’s a great President. If only he could be a candidate this year.

There’s a great scene in Season 1 episode 7. In this scene the President confronts a radio host who has expressed the view that ‘homosexualty is an abomination’ quoting Leviticus 18 verse 22.

In response President Bartlet then quotes several examples of other Old Testament laws – laws that are now widely ignored – in such a way as to totally undermine the radio host’s position. (If you want to watch the scene go to YouTube and search for ‘Bartlet and the Bible.’ It’s only 3 minutes long.)

Some Christians and some churches continue to hold by the point of view that abominates homosexuality. No doubt some would argue that St Paul also has negative things to say about it so it’s not just an Old Testament thing. Of course St Paul also accepted slavery and limited the role of women in church leadership, again rulings that are now largely seen as misguided.

My church has recently taken an important step. Our Vision Statement, what we call our Manifesto, promises that we will look for God in every person and situation, will resist passing judgement, will befriend people in the margins and will celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. We have been considering the implications of this for some while and have reached the conclusion that in order to live this out we must become a fully inclusive church. 

As a result we have adopted the Inclusive Church Statement which states:

“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.

We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”

My church is proud to have taken such a step. We have lots to do now to put our principles into practice – but that’s where we stand.

What do you think? Will you stand with us?