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N.C. State Baptist Convention 2007 Background reading on this topic: On July 15, 2001, Dr. Shoemaker delivered a sermon titled "Homosexuality, The Bible and Us." This began a dialogue at Myers Park Baptist Church that lead to the policy of "open to all and closed to none" becoming a part of the church's covenant. Below are excerpts from letters and emails received in response to this event. NOTE: Comments represent the individuals
who sent them to the church, and do not necessarily represent the views
of the church, its staff or its members. Myers Park Baptist Church reserves the right to edit any posting for length or language. Updated: 12/07/07 Dear Rev Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... It has come to our attention that you have been censured for exhibiting true Christian values in your recognition of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, as God created them. ..................................................................................................................... Hello, Please know that I appreciate more than I can say the stand that the communion of Myers Park Baptist Church has taken in welcoming gay people to worship as part of your fellowship. I read the report in a group to which I belong. You may read the report here: As a gay man, I also stood the risk of being imprisoned simply for being who I am. My partner of nine years, Sipho (Say, See-paw, but don't pronounce the w), and I were both activists in our struggle for democracy and freedom, as were many gay people. Our government recognises the role that gay people played in our freedom struggle, and our rights as gay people are written into our constitution. Many, many South Africans paid the ultimate price in our striving to be free of that dreadful apartheid yoke, and my beloved Sipho was shot dead by apartheid forces in 1993, less than a year before we achieved our longed-for victory over the evil under which we were forced to live. Part of me died when he died, and I have remained a bachelor since then. We had been together for nine glorious, indescribably happy years. As a mixed-race gay couple, under apartheid our life together was very difficult, and we courted grave dangers and hardships because of our love for each other; but there were so many plain, ordinary church folk who kindly accepted us into their homes exactly as we were, and comforted us, and helped us to get over the many inhuman and terrible things that were done to us. As I write this, I remember their many simple kindnesses to us, especially to Sipho, and my eyes overflow with gratitude. You see, they helped us at often great risk to themselves and their families if the security police should have found out. The compassion and understanding that Myers Park fellowship shows to gay people is, I know, appreciated by us in many ways that we do not think to tell you. Be sure that all over the world gay people who have read about your admirable stand in this matter have offered up prayers of thanks and blessings for what you have done. This particular road that the your fellowship has chosen to walk may indeed be littered with well-placed obstacles, but it surely is a road that is well-lit by a light that is not from this Earth so that your footsteps may not falter or stumble. To paraphrase those glorious old words of the King James Bible, "And now, these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Charity; and of these, the greatest is charity." Indeed, agape love, the greek words for charity, is obviously abundant in Myers Park Baptist Church. Again, thank you all so very, very much. You have made, and are making, a compassionate and much-needed positive difference in our world. Shane Wilson .................................................................................................................... [From a letter read at the church forum on Sunday, Nov.18, 2007) To our dear church family, We are so glad we found a church that welcomes us just like everyone else. We love that we are treated exactly like any other family in the church – no better, no worse, no different. What a wonderful way to be treated – and you would think it would be the norm. Sadly, that’s not yet the case in our world yet. Often, we find ourselves "covering up" or "glossing over" how difficult it is to be gay in America. We've been very fortunate to have families and friends and employers who support us. However, when almost 1/2 the population of our country hates us and thinks we'll end up in Hell, and is willing to join organizations and make speeches condemning us and elect leaders that don't think we should have minimal (much less equal) rights, it's really hard. And it's especially difficult for Lucy who can't understand why strangers would feel this way about her moms. This church provides a safe haven for us, and for that we will be eternally grateful. In closing, we ask you to continue to read about this issue, pray about it and, if the occasion arises, to talk about this with friends or family or strangers. Please speak for Cindy and Marcy and – most of all - for Lucy. We love you all more than our words can ever express. Marcy, Cindy and Lucy .................................................................................................................... Something important happened tonight at First Baptist Church Forest City that would have never happened if the events of Tuesday had not taken place. We have a gay couple in our congregation and it was heartwarming to see the congregation more openly embrace those two men tonight. Your witness gave people (whom you do not know) the courage to stand up for truth and love. ..................................................................................................................... Pastor Shoemaker: ..................................................................................................................... I simply wanted to send you an email to thank you for your Christian Sincerely, ..................................................................................................................... Rev Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker: ..................................................................................................................... Pastor Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Good day Dr. Shoemaker, My name is Brent Childers and I currently work with the Faith In America organization, a non-profit civil rights advocacy group which works to educate Americans about the harm caused by religion-based bigotry and discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. I am a Christian and at age 46 have been a life-long member of the Baptist denomination. I was out of the state for most of last week and heard about the news of the Southern Baptist Convention's actions against your church this weekend. I remember very vividly during what I see today as a preparation period worrying that if I had been wrong on something that I had been taught was a fundamental Biblical truth - that homosexuals are a condemned lot - then how could I ever consider anything in the Bible as a truth to live my life by. ..................................................................................................................... I am 51 years old and was raised in Charlotte, I now live in Texas. I was raised to believe being gay was a sin....but wrong is wrong. Jesus associated with prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers and probably gays, so what makes them better than Him? Dear Fellow Pastor, ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, After reading several stories about about Myers Park Baptist Church in the press this week, I felt compelled to thank you for your pastoral leadership through a challenging ecclesiological issue. I feel it to be both incredibly gracious and visionary, as well as courageously faithful to our Baptist heritage. I have studied at one of our moderate Baptist seminaries, and served in pastoral ministry full time from 1999 until earlier this year. I am also a transgendered person. The struggle to bring my inner life into some sort of harmony has been intense--a struggle that in many ways seems to parallel the one so many of our churches are experiencing today. Finding a way through it all literally saved my faith, and quite possibly my life. I do not claim that the way I found is the only way through these struggles, though, and I hope to be able to maintain healthy, growing relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ who would have counseled me to choose a different path. What a sign of love, and of Christ's centrality to all things, that might be to the world! The fellowship at Myers Park seems to me to be just that kind of a sign, and this week I'm joyfully thanking God for it. I pray that he might nurture it, that it might survive and thrive. I also pray for you, that God might grant you profound wisdom and a gracious spirit as you guide the church family during these days. Once again, thank you, and thank the Myers Park family. You are a sign of hope to me. Yours in Christ, Allyson Robinson ..................................................................................................................... Dr. Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Dear Myers Park, My name is Kam Benfield. My father is a retired Baptist Minister and Southern Baptist Foreign Missionary along with my mother. I would like to thank you and express my admiration for the leaders and Again, thank you and God bless you. Lots of us are praying for you and Thanks again, Kam Benfield .................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker, I attended Myers Park Baptist for preschool during the years 1983-1985. I am writing today to specifically thank you for your stance on accepting the LGBT community in church. I consider myself an ally of this community and have often struggled with my faith over the exclusion of anyone from worship services. I now live in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, and enjoy an incredibly diverse congregation at a Methodist church that I attend. I have often been troubled by the generic view of Southern religious folks as arch-conservatives and I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am to be able to cite you as an example of the change that is slowly occurring in the South. It is people like you who are spreading Jesus’ true message of inclusion and perfect love. Only by accepting and learning to understand will we heal our own wounds and truly live as Christ intended. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ..................................................................................................................... I have heard you speak, and I even have one of your sermons on my hard drive. I think the message you are sending out is exactly what Jesus taught and I applaud you. I am a non-denominational minister and I am not gay. I think you are a bright light on the leading edge (whether you want to be or not) and sometimes it is lonely on the leading edge. So let them be or say whatever. They will just keep creating in that and you and I will create with more Love. Thank you for keeping love for ALL the forefront of your message. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Sir: ..................................................................................................................... ..Just a quick note from Columbus, Ohio to say Thank You for supporting the LGBT community, in spite of what must be a terrific amount of pressure My father was a Baptist, as was his entire family, and his forebears. When I came along and realized that I was Gay, I knew that their was no place in the church of my family, and had to do something different. Today, at 36, relatively successful and out of the closet, there is still not a place for me in my family's church in Southwest Virginia. I live in Greensboro, and unfortunately have to deal with the yearly meetings that the Convention has here. I understand that today, the group has voted to oust your church because of your congregations decision to welcome and affirm openly gay worshippers to your midst, and to treat them with dignity and respect while they walk down their personal paths to spiritual fulfillment. I say Bravo to you and to your church for understanding that homophobia is something that Jesus would not have abided by, and that a person's orientation has nothing to do with their relationship with God. Trust me, I know that I prayed to God to make me straight before I finally accepted the inevitable myself, and I had to come to the conclusion that he had made me, therefore there was nothing wrong with me, just that I am different from others. Your struggle has given me hope that one day, my partner and I will be able to walk into my father's church, and feel the love and worship that the rest of my family has been able to feel for all these years. Thank you again, you have no idea what your courage has meant to thousands of Gay Baptists across the country. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker, As the parents of a gay son whom we dearly love and of whom we are very proud, we commend Myers Park Baptist Church for its stance, welcoming gays into its fellowship and membership, without requiring them to "repent" of their orientation. We share your belief and your conviction that embracing all of God's children is what Christ would have us do. It is sad that the Christian church has become so divided over it's interpretation of God's will but, given the path that the NC Baptist Convention has taken on so many issues, the affiliation of your church with that body has been a bad fit for years. We wish you God Speed! ..................................................................................................................... Dr Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Hi, Steve … I saw you on the news last night (and this morning) and learned of the state convention’s decision re: your congregation. I don’t know how much of a loss it is for MPBC, but I do believe the following: that you are about something courageous … something inclusive … something Christ like … something Holy. I rejoice in that. And when I rejoice, I also remember a time long ago when I viewed homosexuality as other than “God’s will” and said so to two fellow chaplaincy residents who were struggling. I still remember their faces. So, your congregation’s courage is, for me, another opportunity to pause, to remember, to search my own heart for ways in which I may still exclude others from the circle of God’s love, and to celebrate the grace that has enabled me to grow. Congratulations! ..................................................................................................................... Dear Sir I was just reading about your Church's rejection because you accept homosexuality. I grew up in a small town Baptist Church, was dismayed by the disapproval of anyone different, and in adulthood I became a free thinker. I am now 70 years of age, & had two sons I loved dearly. One is now deceased. One was a Homosexual, caring, loving, kind, compassionate member of society who worked his way through law school and gave of his time and talents to many groups to help the less fortunate. The other is an investigator for DFACS and successful. Both were equally loved and accepted by their entire family. I was not familiar with your church and just wanted to thank you for caring for everyone. When I was young and in the Military I spent three years in Japan where I met and cared for many Shintoists and Buddhists. I have met wonderful people in many walks of life and do not believe in condemning my fellow man. Thanks so very much for being what a church should be. ..................................................................................................................... After hearing about your church on the evening news and your expulsion form the convention I felt I should in some way show my support for your staff and congregation. As someone who hasn’t attended a church service regularly for over a decade I hope to be able to take in a sermon soon. While I am not, a Baptist, nor a homosexual, I believe very much in the principle that ALL are God’s children and should be welcomed. Thank you for being an example that I truly hope many others churches and individuals will choose to follow. ..................................................................................................................... Just wanted to thank you for your leadership of the church and in our community. Of ALL places, our churches should be places that are inclusive, welcoming and embracing of ALL God's children. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, I am a member of Temple Beth El -- I attended the Kristillnacht program at your church a few weeks ago. I have been following with interest your congregation's debate with the Southern Baptist Convention. I have the greatest respect for your congregation's courage and humility. I just read some of the beautiful letters written by your members to the Convention -- I don't know how the Convention could read them and be unmoved by their sincerity and integrity. Your congregation truly strives to live by Christian values. I am so pleased that you are in Charlotte and that you are Beth El's partner in programming. Thank you and keep up the good work, ..................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker, You do not know me. I am the son, step-grandson and son-in-law of former Baptist ministers. I am once again saddened by the choices the Baptist State Convention have chosen to make, but not surprised. It appears the NC convention has been overrun with pious, narrow minded, un-educated, zealots who have forgotten the teaching of Christ. In my opinion they are not much better than Islamic extremist; just less dedicated to their cause. They remind us that everyone must repent. Since when do we repent to the NC Baptist State Convention? Fifty plus years ago my parents graduated from Gardner-Webb. My father continued his education at Mars Hill and Lenior-Rhyne. He did graduate studies at Wake Forest, Radford University and Duke before leaving the ministry to do work that affected many more lives. My deceased mother still has a WMU circle named in her honor. It seems everything that has become exceptional; the previously mentioned Baptist institutions of higher learning, NC Baptist Hospital and now Myers Park Baptist must distance themselves from the organization that started them, as have I. I am no longer a Baptist. When I first moved to Charlotte I attended your church. The inspired messages that encouraged you to expand the boundaries of your faith and beliefs were truly wonderful. I urge you and your congregation to remove Baptist from you name. It honors a group that does not deserve the honor. ..................................................................................................................... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your bravery on the issue of homosexuality. As a gay man, in a faithful relationship for over 18 years, we can tell you we have no "choice" when it comes to our sexuality. We have grown to believe that God's Love sustains us and that we are not going to be "judged" for making the best of the lives we were blessed with. We have begun to believe that perhaps God creates gay people not to punish us but to challenge others to follow His example. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Pastor Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Thank you to the Board of Deacons for not going softly but for speaking with gusto as it attempted reconciliation. Thanks to each of you for your leadership, courage, eloquence, grace and integrity. I was attracted to MPBC because of its inspiring covenant, including openness to new light. I was drawn to worship at MPBC because of the majesty of word and music. I made MPBC my church home because it is open to all and we were made welcome. I look forward to our continuing expressions of joyful faith in the community and the world. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Steve, It has been quite a long time! I hope you are well. I wanted to thank you and the congregation of MPBC for taking a stand for justice by continuing to follow your commitment to welcoming and affirming our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. News of it has filtered all the way up here to NJ, and it made me proud to see. I am sorry for the cost of being removed from the state convention, but glad to see that you and your congregation are not willing to sacrifice truth and justice for unity. I wish sometimes that my Episcopal denomination could consistently do the same. My prayers are with you and the whole congregation. ..................................................................................................................... Rev. Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Dr. Shoemaker - I have just learned today of the situation before the NC Baptist Convention regarding MPBC's impending expulsion from the convention over your inclusive beliefs. Let me say "Thank you" for taking a stand. I am what you could call a "pre-natal Baptist," having been in church while still in the womb. When I was six years old, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. For as long as I have been talking, I have been singing in church choirs. Upon my family's relocation to Charlotte, NC in 1988, I transferred my membership from my home church in St. Albans, WV to Providence Baptist on Randolph Road, which proved to be a wonderfully nurturing environment during my teenage years. I have now been in Chapel Hill, NC for over 13 years, having completed my Bachelor's and Master's at Carolina. I have had great connections with multiple Southern Baptist churches in my area for that period of time. However, two years ago, I started down a path toward reconciliation as I had finally accepted the fact that I am gay. My entire life, I have been told that homosexuality is a sin and that homosexuals would burn in hell if they didn't repent from their "wicked ways." Suddenly, I was faced with a huge test of my faith. I have been struggling with this issue for many, many years and have repeatedly prayed that God would deliver me from this. I have asked more times than I can remember, "Why me, God?" The final answer I received was, "why not you!?" I set out on a faith exploration - What do I believe and why? What does the Bible really say about homosexuality? How do I reconcile who God made me to be with a viewpoint from my fellow congregants that are diametrically opposed? In short, I was reminded in the scriptures that Jesus said that the "first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. The second commandment is similar - to love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hinge all the law and all the prophets." That's it - love God, love each other! If we are all created in His image and yet we are all so superficially different - male / female, blond / brown / red hair, left / right handed, etc. - and He loves His children the same, then why are we so naive to think that His love for us stops there? While being gay is a part of who I am, it is not the defining part. My desire to use my God-given musical talents to witness to others does not diminish because I am gay. As I contemplate a move back to the Charlotte area, I will definitely keep MPBC in mind. I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of such a loving congregation. I pray that your struggle with the convention ends in a way that can be glorifying to God while promoting His love. Thank you for your time. Best regards. ..................................................................................................................... For whatever it is worth, I applaud you for your courage and love. One of the things that disgusts me is how gays and lesbians are treated... especially in religions where they claim they serve a god of love...To me, the blatant discrimination against gay folks is NO different that the way black people were treated not too long ago. When does it stop? Hating someone is never okay. Your story of possibly being kicked out of your convention caught my eye, and I really wanted to applaud you for taking such a stand. I respect that. ..................................................................................................................... As a former Presbyterian clergyman, I would like to suggest that in your defense of accepting gay people that you just read two scriptures quoting Jesus: The first one quoting what he said about divorce and the second one what he said about gay people. Of course, he said nothing about gay people. Why are the Baptists so quick to condemn the latter while accepting unrepentant divorced people? Apparently, they do not really believe the book is totally accurate. ..................................................................................................................... Reverend Shoemaker, my prayers for strength and grace are with you as you address the SBC today. I grew up – and grew into my faith – at Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, where pastors Warren Carr and Bob McClernon modeled for me the kind of intelligence, integrity and autonomy that once epitomized what it was to be “Suthun’ Baptist.” Bob, who came to Watts Street from Myers Park, if I remember correctly, would have commended you, as well, for your efforts to focus on unity in Christ and for your articulate appeals to the Convention. Go with God. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker,
From where I sit and read my newspaper, it appears that you and your congregation are being faithful to all 6. All of you are in my prayers, and in this Sunday's sermon I will be asking the members of our congregation to include you in theirs. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Steve, I’ve been teaching a class here at JMU this semester entitled “Prophets of Dixie,” where we’ve been discussing the prophetic stand of White Southern ministers like Henlee Barnett, Clarence Jordan and Will Campbell. It will be very meaningful to add you and Myers Park to the conversation! With gladness indeed. ..................................................................................................................... Thank you for standing up for those who want to worship GOD and not politics of the church. I am a gay man and live in grove city Ohio and the GOD I know would welcome all believers as you do at your church I just want to say thank you for doing what’s right. Grove City, Ohio ..................................................................................................................... Dear Pastor Shoemaker: We were so sad to read that your church was expelled for simply giving fellowship to brothers and sisters of Christ. We are two gay Canadians who married and are Pentecostal. Unfortunately we have decided to stop attending church because of the homophobia that comes from the pulpit. We do continue to seek a place such as your church to worship with other believers. When we see the picture of Jesus knocking at the Church door, we believe He knocks on our behalf. However very few will invite us in. Bob and I will celebrate 40 years as a loving couple next year, but only four as a legally married couple. We were one of the couples who took our government to court, in order to win the right to marry. I must say that in spite of dire warnings, God as yet to destroy our country. It is only through clergy such as you and congregations that lovingly accept all people that homophobia will end and God’s people will come together in unity. We thank you all and ask you to share our email with your congregation. In His arms, Lloyd and Bob Peacock ..................................................................................................................... I read about your expulsion from the NC Baptist State Convention on Charlotte.com. I have one word for you, congratulations! You and your congregation are to be congratulated for this recognition of your long-time love and acceptance of all, no matter what. You should not look at the expulsion as anything more than a commendation or recognition of a job well done. Thank you for spreading God's all-inclusive love throughout this community without worrying about conventions. Queens University of Charlotte class of 1993 ..................................................................................................................... You obedience is commendable. To choose the Voice of God over the voice of man can be painful in that moment. But Jesus warned us of days such as these. I believe that the Father chooses to favor those who are obedient. I am a street evangelist which brings chills to many local pastors. I have been described as a loose cannon among other things. Many evangelical Christians can empathize with you because the way you are being treated now, we have been treated the same way by some Baptists for many years. Know that you are His Righteousness, ..................................................................................................................... Minister Shoemaker, ..................................................................................................................... Just wanted to let you know that I just read the article on Fox News how you all were shunned from the convention. Being raised southern Baptist and now involved via podcasts with revolution church NYC (Jay Bakker), I just wanted you to know that you have my prayers. We all are sinners and none are to judge. God bless you as you continue your ministry. ..................................................................................................................... Stephen, I am a former board member at RAIN. I applaud your convictions to hold true to the teachings of Jesus and by that including everyone in your congregation. I am sure you will receive many emails like mine supporting you as well as others who will bash your church. Keep up the good work. You have motivated me to attend church again. You have stood strong and solid in your beliefs and you have gained me as future member. I attended a Southern Baptist University and actually almost attended seminary to enter the ministry. During the four years in college, I had the opportunity to serve in several churches. The experience was tremendous. Enough about me! Thank you for holding true to the teachings of Jesus and for extending your churches arms to everyone. You will truly be rewarded for these great deeds. ..................................................................................................................... I'm not a member of the Baptist Church, nor do I live in North Carolina: I live far far away in California. I read the news today about the expulsion. I'm very glad that there are kind people like yourselves standing up for the principles of understanding, love, compassion, inclusion, and peace. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Pastor and Myers Park Staff, ..................................................................................................................... Bless you dear Stephen and your flock, for your faithful witness to the gospel of love and expression of the truth of the living Christ. Although not a Baptist myself, I stand in solidarity with all of you as you make the vital statement in support of gays and lesbians and against their marginalization. May the Holy Spirit enable Myers Park Church to flourish in light of its stance for justice and ultimate grace. Am a close friend of members and will be visiting them Friday. They have toured me all through the church and I would so love to worship with you all some Sunday! My prayers are with you and yours in this exciting new chapter in the life and work of your faith community. Durham ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, Thank you, your staff and congregation for your courage. I am a member at Wake Forest Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Please know that you are loved and supported for your commitment to inclusion. Winston-Salem, N.C. ..................................................................................................................... I just read an online article about what's going on at Myers Park. I suggest you do what I do when I fail God, repent. Prostrate yourselves and beg for forgiveness. I will pray for you and your members as I pray for myself. I'm a sinner saved by Grace through faith and I fail God everyday. I just try not to end up in the national news column. Please try to do better. I believe our Savior said it best, "Go and sin no more." With Christian Love ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker-- ..................................................................................................................... Dear Rev. Shoemaker ~ As a lifelong Presbyterian I am seriously considering a change! I appreciate your church’s loving stand toward all of God's children. I have two sons, one of which is gay. Once my husband and I confirmed what we knew in our hearts about him practically his whole life, I shared the news with my best friend. She was adamant that I ask him to be sure he knows that God loves him. I hung up the phone, went to his bedroom and asked...You know God loves you, right? He looked at me incredulously and said "yes, of course." I already knew the answer but it was good to hear his confirmation. We are all God's children and we believe He loves each of us unconditionally. That's a wonderfully comforting thing, isn't it? Thank you for taking a stand for all the children of God. It's really unfortunate that faith based institutions have played to people's fears and bigotry. I tell both my sons when I know they are frustrated with the church, don't let the church turn you from God. Isn't that sad that I have to say that? Your quote in this mornings Observer was perfect. People will look back and say that churches were slow to respond to God's love for all people. When children are abandoned by their parents because they are gay, it's 100% of the time in the name of God. I cannot imagine that God will tell these people when they are before Him, "You abandoned your children, Good job". So, will this middle-aged Presbyterian make the switch? That's hard to say. But she will definitely be visiting Myers Park Baptist very soon. Thank you for supporting and loving both my sons in Christ's love - just as they are. ..................................................................................................................... Steve -- ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, I am a Roman Catholic, but very proud to be worshipping in the same community with you and your parishioners. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, what happened to Romans 1? Sin is sin. Don't accept it! What happened to you? You’re sleeping with the enemy. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Dr. Shoemaker, I was raised in the South as a Baptist and for many years was a member of one Southern Baptist Convention church or another. I say this because I know what it feels like to have an organization attempt to put pressure on my church to follow their specific doctrines, and I want to make one thing clear: You are bringing hope and love to more than just your church members. Thank you for caring about the adolescent teen that doesn’t understand why he/she can’t love the “right” person. Thank you for not taking the easy, popular stand of condemning what is different. Thank you for not backing down, even when your beliefs put you under scrutiny. Please know that your church’s beliefs (and actual, visible actions on those beliefs) bring SO much comfort to those that are wrestling with who they are. One of the important questions I had to ask myself when I realized I was gay was whether or not I was still allowed to be a Christian. Your church has provided a very valuable answer to those in need – being Christian and expressing love are not incompatible. Right now, I can’t think of anything more to say than simply: Thank you. ..................................................................................................................... Dear Steve, We are so proud of you and how you are representing the beliefs of our congregation. The boys even understand it and believe you are very brave. They are so thankful that people are standing up for the people at our church who they have come to know and like and value. They were aghast that someone would try to make “[their friends’ parents] feel bad about coming to church” as one of them put it. Thank you and you are in our prayers. ..................................................................................................................... There was an article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today about your church being expelled from the NC Baptist Convention. Good for you!! Your church is acting the way Christ would; thank you for taking a stance and being willing to embrace the consequences instead of folding. THANK YOU!! I agree with you. The next time I'm in NC I will make it a point to stop by your church. University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX ..................................................................................................................... Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, While the news about the decision at the North Carolina Baptist State Convention to expel your church was only a two inch article in our Dallas paper, it made a huge impact on me. I applaud your stance and grieve the vote. I am a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate and Licensed Professional Counselor. I am part of a team at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in the Dallas area on a journey it looks like you have already taken. Thus, I am reaching out to you who have wrestled with the gay/lesbian issue and resolved to be a body of believers who include rather than divide. I have read through your website and seen the letter Pastor Shoemaker wrote to the Convention members. It sounds like your journey took 20 years and brought you to a solid decision to be "open to all and closed to none." And, from what I read in your letter, you clearly see how those with different and minority interpretations can find a home in your body. While I imagine this is a stressful time within your church, I would love to open a dialogue with you concerning the journey you have taken, the path you are on, and how you continue in the face of this decision. I applaud your actions to include gays and lesbians. In my years of counseling and through my many friendships, I have never seen such pain and isolation especially among those inside the church. This issue does not have to divide. As you stated, our unity is in Christ. ..................................................................................................................... Steve, I’m so proud of you and our church! This event is resonating in the gay community in the form of mass emails with the subject “Heroes”. These emails have been swirling around not just the city but the region since Tuesday. Friends are reaching out to other friends to get the word out about MPBC’s stance. Expect to see some new faces in the congregation this Sunday as the gay community expresses its support of our church. Peace to you. |