It is an odd relationship–the way ministers often act as agents of the state to sign civil marriage licenses. We can’t sign any other documents on behalf of the state. But hundreds of years ago, when marriages all (mostly) took place in churches, we entrenched the two acts–the act of the church in joining people…
Grace is tricky. Particularly Divine Grace. It is a gift of mercy and love given by God because of God’s own goodness, not because of the particular merit or worth of the person who receives it. I remember the moment (and it was a particular moment in time) when I understood that God’s love, mercy,…
I’m still thinking about Indiana. I’m glad they came up with a patch to the RFRA law they passed. I recognize gays and lesbians in Indiana (and other states) are still subject to discrimination if they don’t live in communities that have added gender identity or sexual orientation to their human rights codes. (Idaho–Add the…
Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence signed a law this week for “Religious Freedom Restoration”. On the surface, this is presumably to protect people’s religious expression. Of course, there are no instances to be cited where religious expression has been threatened in this country. There are plenty of illustrations of where people are legally being allowed to…
Because of my work for the Covenant Network, I was interviewed this week about same gender marriage in the Presbyterian Church. I was happy to take the interview, when it was offered. I confess I was a little ambivalent, though, about who wanted to interview me. Cosmo That’s right. Cosmopolitan Magazine wanted to interview a…
Worship this morning at the NEXT Conference was wonderful, and not only because my good friend Brian Ellison preached one heck of a sermon. We also sang two hymns I love. I recognize not everyone gets excited by good hymns, sung well, in the midst of people one loves. But I sure do. Many people…
I’ve written plenty of posts about why I think marriage equality is a Christian value. And I recognize my privilege to speak about it from the comfort of my 22 year old, heterosexual marriage. Nobody put up roadblocks when Justin and I wanted to be married. I invite you to take five minutes and watch…
The Idaho House this week approved introducing a piece of legislation to add the words “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to the Human Rights Codes. This means we will, after 9 years, finally get a hearing. This will allow people to share stories with legislators about the vital need to include these protections in the…
This morning on the news, I heard someone complain the editors of Charlie Hebdo were guilty of the “sin of provocation” for continuing to publish any cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Last week, 12 people were murdered by terrorists who were offended by the publication and its history of publishing satirical cartoons that depicted religions…
Donald and Lynn Knapp are licensed ministers in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Which is great and all. They also own a wedding business in City of Coeur D’Alene that illustrates how sacred marriage is by removing it from the church and putting it in a for-profit business called “The Hitching Post”. They…
Glass Overflowing 