The African American Church Response to Homosexuality And
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Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity The African American Church Response to Homosexuality and the Reasons There Is No Response A Thesis Project Submitted to The Faculty of Rawlings School of Divinity In Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry By Robert Jackson Jr. Lynchburg, Virginia March 31, 2019 Copyright © 2019 by Robert Jackson, Jr. All Rights Reserved Acknowledgements “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.” Oh God, I have so many people who have helped me get to this point in my life. First, I want to thank the Lord, Jesus Christ, who saved me from my sins. My mother, Mary Ella Parker who birthed me into this world. There are so many memories of her on how she gave of herself to so many people that she came in contact with. I will be so ever grateful for giving me the honor of preaching her eulogy. Love you Mama. My stepfather, Wesley Parker, for raising me and guiding me to become a man. Also, in Heavenly places, Chaplain (LTC) Ervin J. Jennings, who help me in so many ways and his wife, who yet lives, Mother Evelena Jennings. Chaplain (Col) Louis W. Pointer, for always encouraging me and who has meant so much to the body of Christ across the U.S. and the world. Mother Sessions, who at 85 young years of age, still prays for me and has helped so many of us. Tongue will never be able to tell, but God knows and He will reward. My Spiritual Mentor, Dr. Willie Mayberry, who I met many years ago as a boy, while he preached revivals at my home church, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Thanks Dad for all you have meant and done for the body of Christ. Tongue can never tell it all, but the Lord knows. Also thanks to Dr. C.M. Alexander, longtime Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church North, and past President emeritus of the Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.. There are so many memories of him and how he helped so many preachers in the past, as his iv voice still speaks from heavenly places. He is the pastor who licensed me in the gospel ministry and who took a chance on me. Dr. J.J. James, longtime pastor of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where the foundation of my faith began. It was Dr. James who first told me about and led me to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He is now in heavenly places. Also, his wife, Sister Mamie James, who had a beautiful singing voice and who always would use her voice for the glory of God. She now sits in heavenly places. To the late Dr. Charlie Davidson, who now sits in heavenly places, thanks to him for getting me started on this DMIN journey. Finally, thank you to my family, who has put up with me all these years and continues to do so: My wife Shawnne. How can I thank you for all you have done for us? Especially all the things I don’t see. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tongue will never be able to tell, and blessings on your head. Love you. My kids, who I love and thank God for: Philip, Daniel, Joshua, Rebekah and Matthew. Thanks for allowing me to be your Dad, blessings on your head and may God continue to bless you all. Love always. v Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity Thesis Project Approval Sheet ____________________________ Dr. Donald Hicks, Mentor Assistant Professor of Practical Studies ____________________________ Dr. Jerry Sutton, Reader Adjunct Faculty, Divinity Instruction vi THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY THESIS PROJECT ABSTRACT “The African American Church Response to Homosexuality” Robert Jackson Jr. Liberty University School of Divinity, 2019 Mentor: Dr. Donald Hicks Although the Bible records over eight passages which directly condemns homosexuality, many African-American churches are silent on this controversial issue. The purpose of this thesis is to present information that suggests that the African-American church compromises on this Biblical principle, by embracing homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle, both outside and within the church. The church leadership has chosen to either overlook or accept this lifestyle. Based on statistical surveys and interviews, this project will offer practical and Biblical solutions and advice to all churches and ethnic groups, assisting them in dealing with the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage. The focus would also minister to those individuals and families of those who are “enslaved” by this non-Biblical lifestyle. vii Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………………………….. iv Abstract……………………………………………………………………… vii Abbreviations……………………………………………………………….. xiii Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………….. 1 Statement of Problem…………………………………………………..15 Statement of Limitations……………………………………………….17 Theoretical Basis……………………………………………………….17 Statement of Methodology…………………………………………….. 17 Review of Literature…………………………………………............... 18 Books………………………………………………………………….. 18 Journal Articles………………………………………………………... 21 Scriptures……………………………………………………………… 22 Chapter 2: How Did We Get Here and How Did We Let This Happen?.. 28 What Do We Do Now?........................................................................... 34 Chapter 3: Research findings from Thesis Participants………………… 58 Examples……………………………………………………………... 58 The Price for Taking a Stand…………………………………………. 65 Survey and Interview of Pastors……………………………………… 66 Pastor “A”……………………………………………………… 68 viii Pastor “B”……………………………………………………… 70 Pastor “C”……………………………………………………… 72 Pastor “D”……………………………………………………… 73 Statistical Information………………………………………………… 78 Summary of Findings…………………………………………………. 80 Chapter 4: Summary and Solutions……………………………………….. 81 The Church’s Response to Homosexuality……………………………. 82 The Church’s Response to Homosexuality: Biblical Models for the 21st Century………………………………………………………………… 86 Love at its Best: The Church’s Response to Homosexuality…………... 90 Guilty of Sin: African American Denominational Churches and their exclusion of SGL Sisters and Brothers……………………………….. 92 Their own received them not: African American Lesbians and Gays in Black Churches……………………………………………………………… 94 The Response of the Church: Hope for Homosexuals…..…………….. 98 Chapter 5: Conclusion……………………………………………………….101 Leaders on Leadership………………………………………………… 101 Churches Must be Led by Spiritual Leaders........................................... 103 Spiritual Influence is about People…………………………….. 106 Spiritual Influence is about Life……………………………….. 107 Spiritual Influence is about Priorities………………………….. 107 ix Spiritual Influence is about Values……………………………. 107 Spiritual Influence is about Time……………………………… 108 Spiritual Influence is about Character…………………………. 108 What Happens to a Church and a People Who No Longer Center a Life On the Bible?.......................................................................................... 110 The Failure of the Church……………………………………………. 112 We Have Not Allowed Jesus to Build His Church…………………….113 We Have Forgotten What We Are Supposed to Be…………………… 114 We Have Forgotten Who Created Our Agenda……………………….. 115 We Have Joined Forces with the World………………………………. 116 Where Does the African American Church Go From here?................... 117 Appendix A………………………………………………………………….. 118 Appendix B………………………………………………………………….. 119 Appendix C………………………………………………………………….. 120 Appendix D………………………………………………………………….. 121 Appendix E………………………………………………………………….. 122 Appendix F………………………………………………………………….. 123 Appendix G………………………………………………………………….. 124 Appendix H………………………………………………………………….. 129 Appendix I…………………………………………………………………… 131 Bibliography………………………………………………………………….132 x IRB Approval………………………………………………………………... 137 xi Figures Figure 3.1 Some reasons there is a lack of response of the African American Church to Homosexuality………………………………………. 78 Figure 3.2 Pastors who have established church guidelines relating to Homosexual issues……………………………………………… 79 xii Abbreviations DMIN Doctor of Ministry AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome xiii Chapter 1 Introduction My older brother was gay. He was 14 years older than me. We were not really close, but he was still my brother and I loved him. He was not flamboyant and did not look like the stereotypical gay man. In fact, whatever interactions he had, he had them in a different city, away from where we lived. Still, everyone suspected he was gay. He attended our local church. Yet, no one addressed it openly and he died young of AIDS. My only consolation was that he accepted Christ, as his personal Savior, before he died. I often wondered if his life would had been different, if our church discussed it and/or offered counseling when he was younger. The issue of homosexuality seems to be a very difficult subject for the church to discuss. This subject is here to stay. The question is: How should the Christian community deal with this issue? Growing up as a young teenager in church, I remember there were so many issues that the church dealt with and had a solution for. Dealing with issues, sins and shortcomings of people is the business of the Church. The church is like a hospital. A hospital is a place where people can get help. It is also a place that has the answer for people who have “sick” or rather “sin” conditions. The church is the hospital for the world and is in the business of dealing with problems in the lives of its members and non-members. My Christian experience and journey date as far back as I can remember. It was in the church, where my Christian faith began. There was a high level of accountability expected of each person in the church. Each person, especially leaders, and those who held a position at the church, were held accountable