Mon 9 May 2016 In: Our Communities View at Wayback View at NDHA
In light of recent debates in America around the acceptance and treatment of the Rainbow* Community, I'd like to pay tribute to the positive moves that are beginning to emerge from one of the community's greatest adversaries - the Church. Steffinie Marriner with Senior Pastor Grant Harris In Sunday's early service at North Shore's Windsor Park Baptist Church, Senior Pastor Grant Harris conducts a brief welcoming ceremony for those being accepted into church membership. It's a big deal. Among the new members is Steffinie Marriner, one of the congregation's gender-diverse members. It's a big deal for both the Rainbow Community and the Church-at-large. Although Windsor Park Baptist is autonomous in it's entity, it remains under the umbrella of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, known for it's stand against same-sex marriage and fundamental support of Biblical scriptures. This is a big deal. As part of the Baptist Union, WPBC is held to policies structured to honour Christianity's historical verses, including Deuteronomy 22:5: "A woman must not wear a man's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing. This kind of thing is an abomination to the LORD, your God", so this morning's service was a beautiful break-through for all parties. Perhaps WPBC have accepted that gender identity is established in the womb and is no longer deemed a 'mental disorder', and that Steffinie is actually awomanin women's clothing. There is no point arguing the historical context of verses like this - instead we can appreciate the distance the Church, at least Windsor Park Baptist, has covered regardless of outdated fundamentalist Union policies. "We are all created differently," Pastor Harris begins. "It's about all of us coming together in our diversity..." Harris and Windsor Park Baptist have been accepting of the Rainbow Community for years, with Harris devoting an entire sermon to homosexuality during 2013's Same-Sex Marriage Bill debates. His closing words? "What did Jesus say about homosexuality? Nothing". Untilnow WPBC has been viewed as accepting but not inclusive. Accepting in that all are welcome to attend, non-inclusive in that no (out) Rainbow member has been welcomed into membership, and all that entails,untiltoday. Ironically, or perhaps purposefully, Pastor Troy McKnight, who delivered the sermon, began with encouraging the congregation to be real. "Stop pretending," he states, "it's a waster of energy. Get to know each other so we can heal as a family". He shared how harmful words can harm us emotionally as well as spiritually. I hope the congregation took note - I know I did, recalling the incredibly high percentage of Transgender people who take their lives each year due to rejection and bullying. After the service Steffinie mentions some of the key people who have journeyed alongside her: she recalls meetingPastoral Carer Jacqui Caetano at a Christmas lunch 5 years ago and sharing her story, not expecting Caetano to follow up in any way - but she did. She was referred toWPBC Counsellor Alison Redwood and Steffinie told her, "don't try to change me back to [presenting] male or you won't see me again. That's my only ground rule". Elder Paul Collins conducted the pre-membership interview with her - surprisingly, all he was interested in was hearing her life story and enquiringabout her faith journey. The word 'rejection' used to be very triggering for Steffinie, "but it no longer has a hold over me. You have no idea how much this means to me," she says holding back tears. "I'll probably go home and cry". The ceremony itself is practical and brief, but the significance behind it is huge. I pray for a country where both Church and State acknowledge and uphold the rights of all Rainbow people. I have faith that New Zealand can lead the way in this, as they have in other human rights issues. I have faith in us. Elijah Luke Michel - 9th May 2016