Tuesday marks National Coming Out Day, a day meant to recognize and support those within the LGBTQ community, but when it comes to LGBTQ issues in the church, some feel there is a growing division.
Pastor Paul Marzahn from Crossroads Church in Lakeville shared with News Talk 830 WCCO’s Adam Carter and Jordana Green why he thinks there could be a growing rift in his denomination.
In the United Methodist Church, the debate has been sparked on whether or not to accept pastors who identify as LGBTQ, and Marzahn shared that it has created a divide among members of the church.
This is not the first time, nor the last time, there has been division in the church, as Marzahn shared that his own church lost members of its congregation when his wife, Deb Marzahn, began preaching with him after she was ordained.
But he shared that the denomination is not as closed off as some might think.
“The history of the Methodist Church has been open hearts, open minds, open doors, and I love that phrase because it reminds us we’re kind of one big tent that can work together for the common good,” Marzahn said.
However, he described the faith right now as messy, with “lots of opinions.”
Marzahn shared that the book of discipline he follows currently does not allow him to perform same-sex marriages. But he noted that some do so outside of the covenant, which was agreed to by leaders of the faith.
This has created a schism in the church, leaving many wondering if they are still a part of the same faith.
“That’s the question we’re all asking,” Marzahn said, adding that they are “waiting” to convene and discuss the covenant after COVID delayed previous plans to gather in previous years.
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