In the short film RSVP, we are introduced to the character THOMAS, a Baptist Youth Pastor who was raised by a staunchly conservative father who served as the Pastor of his “mega” church in the deep south. When we leave THOMAS at the end of the film, there is a feeling that this is really the beginning for him. He has finally confronted the pain and injustice that had been wrought by his father’s choice to disown THOMAS’ older brother, STEPHEN.
I wrote the character of THOMAS, as a very personal hope for the future of religious communities, Christianity in particular. I saw him as a representation of a future church that cares for its whole community, the way Christ would himself. It is the ultimate answer to the question, “What Would Jesus Do?”. THOMAS recognizes how the prejudices of his father’s generation had been allowed to contaminate the objective of the Christian Church with a disproportionate focus being placed on judgement, and condemnation.
The message of Jesus Christ surpasses social construct, and our physical forms and asks each person, as a spiritual entity, to follow Jesus, with praise and joy, into the heart of God. I of course understand, that there are many others that may feel differently, which is why the congregations, Pastors, and leaders who are stepping forward and creating a space for people of all sexual orientations to celebrate their faith in a loving and affirming community, are my faith “heros”. Anything I can do to help make the path of acceptance and inclusion a bit more easy to tread, is a gift I gladly accept!
Below, is a list of organization that are leading this cause. For members of the LGBTQ community that felt as if their only option was to leave their faith community and worship on their own, please look into these wonderful organizations!
For members of the LGBTQ community that grew away from God because, they were told that God’s love did not extend to them based on harmful and translations of the teachings, please look into these wonderful organizations.
For members of the straight community that smothered their own spiritual life because they began to associate God with the voices of hate and condemnation that seemed to be the loudest, please look into these wonderful organizations.
For the Straight Christians who may have sat quietly, out of fear of being persecuted, and were forced to witness their brothers and sisters become ostracized from the church, please look into these wonderful organizations.
For the Straight Christians who may have listen to such sermons, and become infected with a misinterpreted view shaped by prejudice, instead of the boundlessness of God’s love, please look into these wonderful organizations.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST – Open and Affirming
RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
THE ASSOCIATION OF WELCOMING AND AFFIRMING BAPTISTS
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES
COVENANT NETWORK OF PRESBYTERIANS
M.I.N.D.- METHODISTS IN NEW DIRECTIONS
T.E.N.- THE EVANGELICAL NETWORK
MANY VOICES – A Black Church Movement for Gay and Transgender Justice
AFFIRM UNITED – The United Church Of Canada
CENTER FOR LESBIAN AND GAY STUDIES IN RELIGION AND MINISTRY
CHICAGO COALITION OF WELCOMING CHURCHES
PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
PATHEOS – PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN
PATHEOS – UN-FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN