N.J.'s Black Churches Open Doors to Gay Members } Not Marriage Though
Rev. Reginald Jackson preaches to church members in this 2008 Star-Ledger file photo
Is it possible that gays could one day fill leadership posts in the black church?
“You have gay people in leadership positions already, just not openly,” said the Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Orange and executive director of the 600-member Black Ministers’ Council of New Jersey.
Not openly: That seems to be the way most church leaders like it, based on conversations with New Jersey pastors.
A random sampling of black ministers in the Newark area found many are aware of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered men and women in their congregations, singing in the choir or working in a church office. And they are willing to welcome them with open arms. The Rev. Ronald Slaughter of St. James AME in Newark estimates 60 to 70 percent of all churches have homosexuals in their congregations. “They (the congregations) may not know it, but they can’t be judge or jury at the door,” he said.
Polls show a generational divide in the black community, with younger members growing more supportive of same-sex marriage. In Newark, Mayor Cory Booker confirmed that the city receives at least one call of complaint every time the rainbow flag, representing gay rights, is hoisted over City Hall during Gay Pride Week.
But support gay marriage from the pulpit? Don’t even think of it. Some pastors object on the basis of scripture, others just don’t see it as the church’s mission to take a political stand on gay rights of any kind.
The Rev. M. William Howard of Bethany Baptist in Newark said he speaks against homophobia from the pulpit, but “my ministry is not defined by advocacy of gay people.” He doesn’t believe the church should be called upon to overtly endorse or criticize topics such as gay marriage. “Church — not just the black church — is still wrestling with how it addresses sexuality.”
Jackson believes black churches are moving toward more tolerance. “I think anyone who is gay or lesbian or whatever should be welcome in all of our churches. That shouldn’t be a question.” He added that most major black denominations are probably opposed to gay marriage, but they wouldn’t eject church members who are in civil unions. “I don’t see the church’s stand on gay marriage changing in my lifetime,” he said.
The black church is still generally criticized for its slow reaction to the AIDS/HIV epidemic.
Many pastors admit as much. “We had our heads in the sand,” says Howard. Now, he points with pride to Bethany educational programs and the church website, which heralded World AIDS Day this month.
Many pastors admit as much. “We had our heads in the sand,” says Howard. Now, he points with pride to Bethany educational programs and the church website, which heralded World AIDS Day this month.
The Rev. Jethro James of Paradise Baptist in Newark is adamant in his disapproval of gay marriage. “Marriage is between a man and a woman, and that can’t be legislated,” he said. James, who is also president of the Newark North Jersey Committee of Black Churchmen, said that for gay advocates to insist on changing the church is to persecute the church for its beliefs. James said there are several gay people and one transgendered person in his congregation. “They come to worship. And ask forgiveness. Sinners welcome. Come join us.”
The Rev. Joe Carter of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark regrets how “certain sides” have used the issue of homosexual rights in the church for political gain.
“I know African-American pastors who voted for George W. Bush because he said he would ban gay marriage,” Carter said. “On that issue alone.”
Carter says his church is about acceptance and love. If the church took a stand on gay marriage, it would be used for political, not theological, gain.
“I’m not going to let any Republican or Democrat use my words like that,” Carter said. “Work it out in the political arena.”
Comments