A Baptist Revival Of Love

Church interior adorned with rainbow pride flags

Last year I had a dream, a vision really, of driving across country in a RV sharing the good news of the ministry of inclusion within the Baptist community that is known as AWAB, the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists. In this vision, the word “revival” was very present. I was curious about this…

Read More

A Different Kind Of Baptist: Countering Westboro Baptist Church

A woman holds up a sign that says god is gay.

Two weeks ago, I stood face-to-face with Westboro Baptist Church outside the Supreme Court. I was one of many Christians attending the rally for marriage equality who gathered nearby to counter their offensive rhetoric. Some stood for hours to shield LGBTQ people and their allies from Westboro’s comically hateful version of God. With rainbow banners and…

Read More

A Baptist Case For The Freedom To Marry

A group of people holding signs that say god has a baptist name for you.

I know, I know. You hear the word Baptist and you think of exclusionary televangelists or some tiny church in Kansas with colorful signs. I am constantly telling people I’m not THAT kind of Baptist.  I am the kind of Baptist who loves freedom, even the freedom of our Baptist forbearers.  I also believe that granting…

Read More

Storm Coming As Baptist Church Kicked Out

A woman sits in a pew in a church.

The flood gates have only started to leak as the Ginter Park Baptist Church has been asked by the Baptist General Association of Virginia to revoke its membership because they ordained an openly gay minister. If the church does not withdraw their membership by the end of this year, the General Association will not accept their donations.…

Read More

Cooperative Baptists Rethink Sexuality

Congregation standing in sunlit historic chapel

This weekend’s [Baptist] Conference on Sexuality and Covenant in Decatur, GA, was a breath of fresh air in hostile debates about religion and homosexuality. It was hosted by the moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University. It’s no secret that the loudest religious voices in the media are driving gays and lesbians from churches…

Read More