an open letter to Rick Warren from Nancy Wilson of MCC
I am reprinting this open letter with permission. I use to be an active member of MCC, altough that was many years ago. However this group has valiently led the fight for love and acceptance for all people for 40 years. The fact that this church came into being some 40 years ago, has done wonders for the fight for fair treatment of the GLBT community in the United States and the world.
I am sure some of my readers may disagree with her statements...thinking either that Rick Warren is someone we should protest or whatever. I print these words as an example of love and the desire to meaningfully build community. So often, I have to admit, I want to "win"...to heck with those that hate us. (sigh)
FROM: The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
DATE: Saturday, December 20, 2008
Dear Pastor Warren:
I am the Moderator of the oldest and largest global denomination with a primary ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Our church is a Christian church, open to everyone, including heterosexuals. I am a lesbian in a 31-year committed relationship.
Unlike many in the LGBT community, I do not take issue with your selection by President-elect Obama to participate in the upcoming inauguration. While understanding the protests surrounding your selection, especially in the aftermath of the painful battle over Proposition 8, I see this situation through a different lens. I’d like to share my reasons.
I have read your books. I have used them in churches I have pastored, along with a study guide that I wrote. I don’t agree with everything in your books, nor with all of your theology, but as an ecumenical denomination in which many of our members and adherents come from Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Catholic backgrounds, we in Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) are both progressive and eclectic in our theology and education.
Your profound challenge to seek God’s purpose for our lives struck a powerful chord with many of us.
The God-given purpose of my own life has been to help my community know that God loves them just as they are and to help them actualize faith, love and justice in their lives. Jesus Christ reached out to the marginalized, and those labeled as sinners, seeing in those who were oppressed the very hope of the world.
I am encouraged by the ways you have worked to move Evangelical churches beyond the very narrow range of issues that have too often characterized conservative Christian churches over the past 25 years. We may come from different theological perspectives, yet we share a common Biblical commitment to caring radically about poverty, violence, and the nurture of our Earth. While we in MCC reject the approach of “hate the sin, love the sinner”, we are also encouraged by the positive steps you have taken to show care and compassion towards persons with HIV and AIDS.
More profoundly, perhaps, I think President-elect Obama is attempting to fulfill his promises by reaching out in many directions as he begins his awesome task of leading our nation in this time of unprecedented challenges. He believes you are openhearted and openminded, and that you are yourself a bridge-builder of considerable vision and courage. He cannot govern a nation that does not believe that he will earnestly seek to bring unity. He is fearless in this regard, and I support him.
I have no criticism of the President-elect in his selection of you to bring the inaugural prayer. In the past, others who prayed at U.S. inaugurations were no more friendly or accepting of our community. However, we live in times where expectations and hopes are raised, and things that were not being scrutinized are now scrutinized. Even 20 years ago, no one cared what the LGBT community thought about who prayed at an inauguration. But as our community’s self-esteem, visibility and sense of citizenship have increased, and as people have increasingly come to realize that we, too, pay taxes, raise children, love our neighbors, and contribute to the common welfare, we’re thankful that many government officials and a growing number of faith leaders, along with the media and our fellow citizens, are paying more attention.
I want to challenge you in your journey as a bridge-builder. I would like to build a better bridge with you, particularly between you and LGBT people of faith.
Earlier today, I listened carefully as you shared your views on homosexuality. Those views are dated and uninformed; they are reminiscent of the way some people talked about AIDS years ago. This is not worthy of someone with your spiritual values and your depth of experience in this world. There is an enormous disconnect between your characterizations and what I actually see in my community, i.e., the authenticity, health, goodness, justice, and love I see in LGBT relationships and families.
Many LGBT people are people of deep spiritual faith. We read your books, though we don’t agree with every premise. If you worshiped in a Metropolitan Community Church, you would hear many of the same hymns you sing, you would hear us lift up the same Word you lift up, and you would experience the same Holy Spirit moving, healing, blessing, and motivating our people. Good, faithful Evangelicals like yourself who have taken the risk to worship with us have had to take another look at their assumptions and beliefs about lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons.
I have spent the better part of my pastoral ministry helping thousands of people heal from the rejection, misinformation, pain and violence inflicted on them from churches and families. Here is what I have learned from almost four decades of Christian ministry: People ostracized from spiritual communities turn away from God and faith. In my heart, I do not believe you want to perpetuate that.
This past week, on the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, 66 countries of the United Nations adopted a declaration of basic human rights for LGBT people. Tragically, the United States did not support this declaration, citing the fear that states’ rights on issues like marriage equality might be compromised.
Let me be very clear: While I believe unequivocally in the value, dignity, and equality of all loving relationships and am a long-time supporter of marriage equality, what the declaration before the United Nations sought to address and what I am now addressing with you, is something much more fundamental - the basic human right of all people to live free of violence, torture, harassment and criminalization simply because of who they are.
In Jamaica, members of our MCC congregation were attacked by a mob wielding machetes during the funeral of our choir director - for no other reason than he was perceived to be gay. Many in that mob professed to be “people of faith”.
In Pakistan, young women, some of whom are lesbian, who desire nothing more than the basic human right to pursue an independent life, are subject to rape, forced heterosexual marriages, and “honor” killings by their own families, based on “religious” values.
Almost as many nations opposed the United Nations’ declaration as supported it. Yet, even the Vatican, a staunch opponent of the rights of LGBT people around the globe, amended its position to call for the repeal of criminal penalties against our community.
It takes a certain amount of spiritual courage to amend long-held positions. It takes a certain and sincere openness to the movement and guidance of the Holy Spirit, which blows where it, not we, will.
The President-elect’s invitation to you is not only an affirmation of you as a spiritual leader in our nation and our world, but an affirmation of his belief that you will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in building bridges, even with our community. I believe President-elect Obama’s invitation reflects his belief that you have much to bring to the table of spiritual and moral leadership, and you have things to learn as well.
You have demonstrated a level of courage and honesty that has allowed you to take risks for God’s message of love and hope. I know that some on the right are criticizing you for accepting the President-elect’s invitation. I am sure you are not surprised, dismayed, or discouraged by that, but see it as yet another challenge.
I am inviting you, post-inauguration, to a risky conversation with some of the spiritual leaders of the LGBT community in an effort to deepen our mutual respect and understanding, and move, with integrity, beyond the current pain and polarization. I propose that such a conversation take place during the first quarter of 2009, at a mutually agreed-upon time and location, and with a mutually agreed-upon agenda. I will be glad to propose a list of invitees to take part in such a dialogue. My hope is that God has some new and powerful purpose to bring into being through each of us. Together we can begin a process to shift this terrible impasse. It would be complicated; it would be controversial. But it is what leadership demands in our time.
I trust God will guide you in responding to this invitation.
In this special season of peace, hope and joy, I am praying for you as you anticipate the singular honor of the President-elect’s invitation and all it implies, not only for you and the role you may play in our nation, but for people of faith everywhere and our common witness.
Grace and peace,
The Rev. Nancy Wilson
Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
Please reply to: revnancywilson@mccchurch.net
NOTE: Prepared in consultation with the Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, chair, and the MCC Communications Department, The Rev. James Birkitt, communications director.
I am sure some of my readers may disagree with her statements...thinking either that Rick Warren is someone we should protest or whatever. I print these words as an example of love and the desire to meaningfully build community. So often, I have to admit, I want to "win"...to heck with those that hate us. (sigh)
FROM: The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
DATE: Saturday, December 20, 2008
Dear Pastor Warren:
I am the Moderator of the oldest and largest global denomination with a primary ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Our church is a Christian church, open to everyone, including heterosexuals. I am a lesbian in a 31-year committed relationship.
Unlike many in the LGBT community, I do not take issue with your selection by President-elect Obama to participate in the upcoming inauguration. While understanding the protests surrounding your selection, especially in the aftermath of the painful battle over Proposition 8, I see this situation through a different lens. I’d like to share my reasons.
I have read your books. I have used them in churches I have pastored, along with a study guide that I wrote. I don’t agree with everything in your books, nor with all of your theology, but as an ecumenical denomination in which many of our members and adherents come from Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Catholic backgrounds, we in Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) are both progressive and eclectic in our theology and education.
Your profound challenge to seek God’s purpose for our lives struck a powerful chord with many of us.
The God-given purpose of my own life has been to help my community know that God loves them just as they are and to help them actualize faith, love and justice in their lives. Jesus Christ reached out to the marginalized, and those labeled as sinners, seeing in those who were oppressed the very hope of the world.
I am encouraged by the ways you have worked to move Evangelical churches beyond the very narrow range of issues that have too often characterized conservative Christian churches over the past 25 years. We may come from different theological perspectives, yet we share a common Biblical commitment to caring radically about poverty, violence, and the nurture of our Earth. While we in MCC reject the approach of “hate the sin, love the sinner”, we are also encouraged by the positive steps you have taken to show care and compassion towards persons with HIV and AIDS.
More profoundly, perhaps, I think President-elect Obama is attempting to fulfill his promises by reaching out in many directions as he begins his awesome task of leading our nation in this time of unprecedented challenges. He believes you are openhearted and openminded, and that you are yourself a bridge-builder of considerable vision and courage. He cannot govern a nation that does not believe that he will earnestly seek to bring unity. He is fearless in this regard, and I support him.
I have no criticism of the President-elect in his selection of you to bring the inaugural prayer. In the past, others who prayed at U.S. inaugurations were no more friendly or accepting of our community. However, we live in times where expectations and hopes are raised, and things that were not being scrutinized are now scrutinized. Even 20 years ago, no one cared what the LGBT community thought about who prayed at an inauguration. But as our community’s self-esteem, visibility and sense of citizenship have increased, and as people have increasingly come to realize that we, too, pay taxes, raise children, love our neighbors, and contribute to the common welfare, we’re thankful that many government officials and a growing number of faith leaders, along with the media and our fellow citizens, are paying more attention.
I want to challenge you in your journey as a bridge-builder. I would like to build a better bridge with you, particularly between you and LGBT people of faith.
Earlier today, I listened carefully as you shared your views on homosexuality. Those views are dated and uninformed; they are reminiscent of the way some people talked about AIDS years ago. This is not worthy of someone with your spiritual values and your depth of experience in this world. There is an enormous disconnect between your characterizations and what I actually see in my community, i.e., the authenticity, health, goodness, justice, and love I see in LGBT relationships and families.
Many LGBT people are people of deep spiritual faith. We read your books, though we don’t agree with every premise. If you worshiped in a Metropolitan Community Church, you would hear many of the same hymns you sing, you would hear us lift up the same Word you lift up, and you would experience the same Holy Spirit moving, healing, blessing, and motivating our people. Good, faithful Evangelicals like yourself who have taken the risk to worship with us have had to take another look at their assumptions and beliefs about lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons.
I have spent the better part of my pastoral ministry helping thousands of people heal from the rejection, misinformation, pain and violence inflicted on them from churches and families. Here is what I have learned from almost four decades of Christian ministry: People ostracized from spiritual communities turn away from God and faith. In my heart, I do not believe you want to perpetuate that.
This past week, on the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, 66 countries of the United Nations adopted a declaration of basic human rights for LGBT people. Tragically, the United States did not support this declaration, citing the fear that states’ rights on issues like marriage equality might be compromised.
Let me be very clear: While I believe unequivocally in the value, dignity, and equality of all loving relationships and am a long-time supporter of marriage equality, what the declaration before the United Nations sought to address and what I am now addressing with you, is something much more fundamental - the basic human right of all people to live free of violence, torture, harassment and criminalization simply because of who they are.
In Jamaica, members of our MCC congregation were attacked by a mob wielding machetes during the funeral of our choir director - for no other reason than he was perceived to be gay. Many in that mob professed to be “people of faith”.
In Pakistan, young women, some of whom are lesbian, who desire nothing more than the basic human right to pursue an independent life, are subject to rape, forced heterosexual marriages, and “honor” killings by their own families, based on “religious” values.
Almost as many nations opposed the United Nations’ declaration as supported it. Yet, even the Vatican, a staunch opponent of the rights of LGBT people around the globe, amended its position to call for the repeal of criminal penalties against our community.
It takes a certain amount of spiritual courage to amend long-held positions. It takes a certain and sincere openness to the movement and guidance of the Holy Spirit, which blows where it, not we, will.
The President-elect’s invitation to you is not only an affirmation of you as a spiritual leader in our nation and our world, but an affirmation of his belief that you will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in building bridges, even with our community. I believe President-elect Obama’s invitation reflects his belief that you have much to bring to the table of spiritual and moral leadership, and you have things to learn as well.
You have demonstrated a level of courage and honesty that has allowed you to take risks for God’s message of love and hope. I know that some on the right are criticizing you for accepting the President-elect’s invitation. I am sure you are not surprised, dismayed, or discouraged by that, but see it as yet another challenge.
I am inviting you, post-inauguration, to a risky conversation with some of the spiritual leaders of the LGBT community in an effort to deepen our mutual respect and understanding, and move, with integrity, beyond the current pain and polarization. I propose that such a conversation take place during the first quarter of 2009, at a mutually agreed-upon time and location, and with a mutually agreed-upon agenda. I will be glad to propose a list of invitees to take part in such a dialogue. My hope is that God has some new and powerful purpose to bring into being through each of us. Together we can begin a process to shift this terrible impasse. It would be complicated; it would be controversial. But it is what leadership demands in our time.
I trust God will guide you in responding to this invitation.
In this special season of peace, hope and joy, I am praying for you as you anticipate the singular honor of the President-elect’s invitation and all it implies, not only for you and the role you may play in our nation, but for people of faith everywhere and our common witness.
Grace and peace,
The Rev. Nancy Wilson
Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
Please reply to: revnancywilson@mccchurch.net
NOTE: Prepared in consultation with the Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, chair, and the MCC Communications Department, The Rev. James Birkitt, communications director.