Category: LGBT

Disciples, disciples of christ, discipleship, ecclesiology, evangelism, gay rights, grace, homosexuality, inclusion, kingdom of god, LGBT, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, sermons1 Comment

Sermon: That’s Me In the Corner

Dennis

Galatians 1:13-17; 2:15-21 and Luke 18:9-14 Sixth Sunday of Easter Losing My Religion Sermon Series May 21, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Click here to listen to the audio. It’s been about two years since our congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation, meaning that we openly welcome Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered persons into the life of our church.  I think that’s a good thing, but over the years even long before our vote, I’ve been wondering about the quality of the pro-inclusion argument.  Whenever I’ve seen people argue in favor of LGBT inclusion, the main … Continue reading Sermon: That’s Me In the Corner

Disciples, disciples of christ, discipleship, diversity, evangelism, gay, gay rights, homosexuality, LGBT, mainline church, mainline churchesLeave a comment

We Call Ourselves Disciples

Dennis

My wife Jan and I have been members of First Christian Church of St. Paul for nearly 20 years.  We love the congregational focus.  We particularly embrace the dedication to the principles of wholeness and inclusiveness of the Disciples of Christ, that welcome everyone to the Communion Table with no exceptions.  We have recently rededicated ourselves to mission based activities.  Our work with food banks, homeless shelters, and job programs is very important to us.  If we are making sandwiches for the homeless, staffing a homeless shelter, packing food for the hungry, or just raising money for local support organizations, … Continue reading We Call Ourselves Disciples

Dennis Sanders, Disciples, disciples of christ, Easter, inclusion, Jesus, justice, LGBT, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, mainline church, mainline churches, sermons2 Comments

Sermon: “The Healing Power of Collard Greens”

Dennis

This is a sermon I preached on Easter evening in 2005.  It is the text I will be preaching on this Sunday for the Third Sunday in Easter. Luke 24:13-35 April 10, 2005 Community of Grace Christian Church St. Paul, MN I love good food, and it probably shows. I consider myself lucky to be born in the family that I’m in, because I grew up with two wonderful cooking traditions. On my father’s side is the African American tradition of the Deep South. It’s a tradition of fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing and sweet potato … Continue reading Sermon: “The Healing Power of Collard Greens”

culture, culture wars, discernment, diversity, gay ministers, gay rights, inclusion, justice, LGBT, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, mainline church, mainline churches, marriage, progressive christianity, same sex marriageLeave a comment

By the Time I Get to Arizona

Dennis

About a week ago, I wrote a post on same-sex marriage and how those of us who support it should act towards those that oppose it.  Can we be good winners to the losers? Some of the response to that post got me thinking (and agonizing) over this issue.  In two states, Kansas and Arizona, bills have made their way through the state legislature that would give people the right to refuse service to gays.  I think both bills are unconstitutional on their face and bring to mind the dreadful memories of Jim Crow. That said, these laws are the … Continue reading By the Time I Get to Arizona

aspergers, autism, homosexuality, LGBT, love1 Comment

Beyond the Bitchy Queen?

Dennis

There are people in your life who’ve come and gone They let you down and hurt your pride Better put it all behind you; life goes on You keep carrin’ that anger, it’ll eat you inside -Don Henley, The Heart of the Matter I’ve come to the conclusion that I have to be the oddest gay man around. Maybe it’s because of my aspergers, but I don’t tend to carry a whole lot of bitterness that some gays and lesbians that I know have.  The uses of the Bible to justify homophobia didn’t leave me afraid of the Bible.  I … Continue reading Beyond the Bitchy Queen?