LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

Full Inclusion

At Genesis West, we believe that all people are born with the essential dignity and intrinsic value that comes from being made in God’s image and are equally capable of experiencing God, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Therefore, we welcome and invite LGBTQIA+ persons to participate at all levels of church life: partaking of the sacraments, serving in ministry, joining in membership, holding leadership roles, getting married, and serving as staff members.

Our History

From the very beginning of the Genesis community, we’ve tried to be third-way people, resisting the temptation to describe ourselves as only this or only that whenever possible. Our community is young and old. We’re liturgical and we do all-plays. We’re progressive and conservative, theologically and politically. This both/and way of being is guided by our values of attentiveness and conversation, and also by two methods of biblical interpretation we’ve used since the beginning: (1) We’re Christocentric: We read the Bible through the lens of Christ, who is our highest authority; and (2) We use Midrash: We believe the Bible really happened, is still happening, and will happen. In every passage of the Bible we study together, we dig down deep, layer by layer, using our imagination, rich conversation, and the rest of the Bible to discover and rediscover what each passage is saying to our unique time and place in history. 

How did we get to full inclusion?

When we began considering LGBTQIA+ inclusion, however, we struggled to know how we could retain our unique both/and way of being. It began to feel like we had to choose between two opposite ends of a spectrum: should we love all people, no matter what, or should we submit to what the Bible says? The more we talked, the less satisfying either end of that spectrum seemed. If we allowed same-sex weddings and became open to hiring LGBTQIA+ individuals on staff, what are we saying to those of us who believe the Bible forbids it? And if we continued to refuse to perform same-sex weddings and if we continued to refuse to consider qualified LGBTQIA+ individuals to be on staff, what are we saying to those who believe the Bible doesn’t forbid monogamous, same-sex marriage? 

Over nine months of conversation, listening circles, dialogue and discernment, it became clear we’d need to commit to some shared practices - not just a decisive vote - and an ongoing transformative process if we are going to honor each other in our diversity. We’ve heard a few things loud and clear from the Genesis West community regarding how we treat each other and what we hold dear. Regardless of which side of this issue - or any other issue - we occupy, we want to commit to the following four practices together:

  • We’ll hold the Scripture in high regard, allowing its mystery and relevance to be present in real-time.

  • We’ll lean into the tension of change. 

  • We’ll commit to listening to each other and trusting the intentions of one another. 

  • We’ll honor everyone’s voice and we will make space for everyone to be heard.

Guided by these four practices, we invited members to prayerfully consider these questions: Will you be part of a church where people are united by something bigger than their differing opinions on this topic? Will you commit to curiosity and conversation in areas that are different than your own, believing that dialogue will create space for new understanding? Will you trust that you are loved, safe, and accepted by a community of people who may hold differing perspectives on LGBTQIA+ inclusion? Will you offer your voice for the good of others, trusting that it will be valued and heard?

Finally, our members participated in a voting process to decide whether the congregation of Genesis Covenant church would affirm the following statement: That the pastors of Genesis West shall be allowed to perform same-sex weddings according to their conscience and that all qualified LGBTQIA+ persons shall be considered for any open staff positions. On May 18th, 2020, the members of Genesis West voted and approved that statement.

Our hope and desire is that our community of people continue to grow in our love for each other as we value conversation, being confident in sharing and hearing ideas because we know God is more and better than anything we can name.

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