AT ISSUE: BEING WELCOMING ..

Well, the delegates to the annual meeting of the N.C. Baptist State Convention voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to expel Charlotte's (NC) Myers Park Baptist for welcoming gays and lesbians without trying to change them.

There was no roll call vote; delegates overwhelming raised their hand to signify that the Christians from Myers Park were no longer welcome! Now let's see, one group welcomes; the other does not.

ALL IN ONE DAY ...

A few days ago I was musing about justice movements in the so-called Red States. And now look at this, all in one day: Jim Neil (right) a political unknown is running for the Senate in North Carolina. Unlike Senator Craig and that whole group who have sought to hide their sexuality, Neal volunteered his in a public forum. "I am indeed," Neal said when asked whether he was gay. "No secret and no big deal to me -- I wouldn't be running if I didn't think otherwise."

Rev. Stephen Shoemaker, Senior Pastor
And then there is Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, a congregation of nearly two-thousand people, that may find itself expelled from the North Carolina Baptist Convention this week because its unconditional welcoming of gays and lesbians.

Perhaps Mr. Neil's matter-of-fact attitude will be helpful to the church. But, you know, as I wander around the web I read similar stories ... small signs of hope; of justice. I just might move to North Carolina, vote for Mr. Neil and attend Myers Park Church. I just don't know about the Baptist part ... thanks guys!