“Affirming” church not doing it for us

[Anonymous]

We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a gay couple, not married but living together and committed to each other.
Our church is LGBTQ and everything else affirming and more and more, it is just a grievance fest, pretty much like No Kings in church format. And it is dying.

I was back home this last weekend and attended Catholic mass with my aunt at her somewhat progressive parish. It was a such a breath of fresh air. Not my first time in a Catholic Church by a long shot, nor for my partner. But I don’t know if we can really exist in that church. We tried Episcopal but that wasn’t it either.

Any ideas? In NoVa.

This church is dying because it’s not Biblical. Good riddance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

[Anonymous]

I know you don’t want to out yourself, but it would be helpful to know which church isn’t doing it for you. As others have said if you like the feel of the Catholic service and want to feel truly accepted and not just tolerated, Episcopal is the way to go. I attend St. George’s in Arlington. Pretty traditional liturgy, very strong music program, and the sermons are not political. One of their focuses are feeding people. I think you may need to attend a few - while most are welcoming, the vibes of each one can be different. Also, this area is made up of government workers so finding some grumbling at coffee hour between people commiserating about their jobs is likely to happen anywhere around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

In a way, I agree. I was Catholic growing up and my family went to the church that we were assigned to. But that was a long time ago and I like the idea of finding a church where you feel comfortable.

By the way, it shouldn't be necessary to pray that God leads you to a biblically based church. Just go wherever you feel the most comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like catholic church, I would go for that. Others don't really substitute for that. There are plenty of gay catholics.

And the Catholic Church rejects them -- it thinks they're all going to hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like catholic church, I would go for that. Others don't really substitute for that. There are plenty of gay catholics.

It's true. Just go if you like it. The church is big and contains many strands. There is a social justice wing of the church. It's not currently in the ascendancy but it's there and has been for a century. I know someone currently in the Catholic Worker movement. It's about as far left (and extreme, IMO) as the Latin/trad people are far right (and extreme, IMO). There are many types of people in the church and you can take it or leave it as you want though people will say I'm wrong as they focus on rules to the exclusion of everything else, but it's true. You can involve yourself or just attend. Just go if you like it and don't if you don't. "Where two or three are gathered in my name" is all you need.

I've heard good things about the Methodist church but if you really want Catholic, this isn't it.

[Anonymous]

Try Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an open secret that a majority of the College of Cardinals are gay and non-celibate. But what the Catholic church is trying to do (that the Episcopal church is not) is to actually maintain some continuity in this Christian religion. And Scripture and Tradition (i.e., the Magisterium) clearly and consistently put forward that homosexual acts are sinful.

So if you want to be affirmed for your sex acts, you'll have to go Episcopal or Unitarian or something and join the grievance fest. But if you want to be affirmed for your image as a child of God in communion with all the saints and angels, give the Catholics a chance.

No. It isn't.

And scripture does not "clearly and consistently" put forth any such thing (although tradition does, but that is such BS that it is a huge part of why we have protestantism).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

Yeah, you aren't "trying on skirts." But you are joining a community. So there is even more reason, than with trying on clothing, to get a good "fit."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

Yeah, you aren't "trying on skirts." But you are joining a community. So there is even more reason, than with trying on clothing, to get a good "fit."

Disagree. “Community” is your neighborhood or country club. A church should be where you find, serve and hear the word of God, above all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

In a way, I agree. I was Catholic growing up and my family went to the church that we were assigned to. But that was a long time ago and I like the idea of finding a church where you feel comfortable.

By the way, it shouldn't be necessary to pray that God leads you to a biblically based church. Just go wherever you feel the most comfortable.

If you’re following Christ you will often be very uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

Yeah, you aren't "trying on skirts." But you are joining a community. So there is even more reason, than with trying on clothing, to get a good "fit."

Disagree. “Community” is your neighborhood or country club. A church should be where you find, serve and hear the word of God, above all.

Religious community IS a community as much as your neighborhood or country club, often an even closer community because it's all people who share beliefs and values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

Yeah, you aren't "trying on skirts." But you are joining a community. So there is even more reason, than with trying on clothing, to get a good "fit."

Disagree. “Community” is your neighborhood or country club. A church should be where you find, serve and hear the word of God, above all.

What do you think finding, serving, and hearing the word of God looks like? You don't do it in a vacuum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a different area but really enjoy our Methodist church. I grew up Presbyterian and even in the 90s it was very political. Our Methodist church is open and affirming but sticks more to religious topics and has a congregation with varying political beliefs (though I doubt any maga types). Our prior church was the same, so I wonder if Methodist churches generally might be a fit.

I’ve never understood the point of looking for churches that are a “fit.” You’re not trying on skirts.

OP pray that God leads you to a church that is Biblically based, one that will welcome you with open arms as they do all of us as sinners, and have as their mission pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else will fall into place.

Yeah, you aren't "trying on skirts." But you are joining a community. So there is even more reason, than with trying on clothing, to get a good "fit."

Disagree. “Community” is your neighborhood or country club. A church should be where you find, serve and hear the word of God, above all.

What do you think finding, serving, and hearing the word of God looks like? You don't do it in a vacuum.

That’s correct. But to require that all of the people in this community look and think like you, so that you are always “comfortable” with the “fit” is the opposite of Christian thought.