Pastor Response to Discrimination by Church Vendor

When Rev. Dr. Julie R. Harley and her congregation decided to purchase a database system for their church, a company turned them down because they supported households where partners happen to be of the same gender. Have your congregations experienced similar discrimination because of your ministry with LGBT people? Here is Rev. Harley's reply to Shelby Systems:

First United Church
848 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60301

August 18, 2012

Beloved Members of the Body of Christ who serve on the staff of Church Community Builder, Elexio, and Shelby Systems,

One week ago, I was privileged to conduct a wedding in our church for two wonderful people who have been in a committed relationship for 18 years. God?s love shines forth in their lives. They both have good jobs in health care and serve people each day. They are caring, compassionate, faithful, joyful Christian people with a fantastic sense of humor. They wrote their own vows and designed their own rings, and they told me their wedding day was the best day of their lives.

Their names are Karen and Carla, and it just so happens that they are both women. You can call them gay or lesbian or a same-sex couple. But Jesus wouldn?t call them that. Jesus would call them children of God, disciples in faith, members of the Church. Like me, they are part of the body of Christ.

A few months ago, I was privileged to baptize a baby named Kai, born to a couple who have been married for five years. One of Kai?s parents is an associate pastor on our church staff. Kai?s mother works for Oprah Winfrey. Kai?s parents are warm, giving, intelligent, talented, amazing Christian people who have traveled around the world. Their names are Leah and Chris, and it just so happens they are both women. You can call them gay or lesbian or a same-sex couple, but Jesus wouldn?t. Like me, they are part of the body of Christ.

Twenty-five years ago, I participated in the ordination of one of my seminary classmates. Jeffrey was brilliant, pastoral, gifted and called by God to serve as a minister. He also happened to be gay. But Jesus wouldn?t call him that. Jesus would say he was an outstanding pastor and teacher of the church, a good shepherd to his flock, and an inspiring spiritual leader. Like me, he was part of the body of Christ.

I have a dream that someday people of faith will be judged not by their sexual orientation, but by the content of their character. I have a dream that someday all people will be welcomed as equal members of the body of Christ, not judged as lesser in value or excluded from membership. As the Apostle Paul said, ?There are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ?I have no need of you,? nor again the head to the feet, ?I have no need of you.?? (Romans 12:20-21)

Many of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends are baptized believers. The Holy Spirit has given them gifts which they use in leadership and service. They celebrate the sacrament of communion at Christ?s table. They read and interpret God?s holy Word. They pray and they tithe.

You too are members of the body of Christ. Yet your company has told our church staff that we may not purchase your church database system because some of our members live in households where partners happen to be of the same gender. With the love of Christ filling my mind, heart and spirit, I must say to you that this is deeply painful for all of us at First United Church of Oak Park. It is painful for two reasons.

First, I am grieved that you would judge my sisters and brothers in faith as unacceptable or unfit to serve Christ?s ministry and mission without witnessing the blessedness of their lives. If only you could see the love in their relationships, in their families, among their children and the incredible leadership they provide in the church.

Second, I am saddened that you are deprived of coming to know these sisters and brothers as friends and neighbors, fellow workers for the kingdom and witnesses to the gospel. You would find your life enriched and deepened.

The product you sell is designed to build relationships and to grow the church. I cannot be silent as you refuse to provide service to our congregation, and I cannot condone your use of ?homosexuality? as a sin that you compare with ?bestiality, witchcraft and necrophilia.? Jesus never excluded anyone, though his radical grace was shocking to many. Your refusal to serve our church does not reflect the love of Christ, it does not build relationships and it will not grow the church.

Please reconsider your position on this issue.

Your sister in Christ and member of the one body of his Church,

Rev. Dr. Julie R. Harley
Lead Pastor

Source: http://www.mlp.org/article.php/DiscriminationVendor

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