"It's gonna be a year" remember that phone call? I sure do... and don't think I could have made it through that year without your support. Love and miss you my friend.
Fred, you continue to be a faith leader I I can follow, and someone who helps bolster my faith in Christ, and in the potential of the church to do good in the world.
We left our previous church in early 2021, after finally accepting that our church was nowhere near becoming affirming and would not fully welcome our friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ community. What a relief and breath of fresh air to land at City Church for a time, even if “virtually”. We will always be grateful to you and City Church.
Phenomenal work, Fred! I am honored to have been a witness to this challenging time of change and transformation in the church. Thank you for your leadership on this important work.
Hi Fred! I’m one of those people who found a life saving home because of the sacrifice you and so many others made 10 years ago. Thank you for choosing life (mine and many other LGBTQ+ individuals’) over comfort, ease or security.
Thank you for sharing this! This is both encouraging… and a bit heartbreaking too! I can respect a pastor who feels intensely torn in their convictions… but when it comes down to pastors avoiding this issue because of how well their church is financially and not wanting to lose that, that feels incredibly disappointing… I don’t know what else to say. As a gay Christian very committed to the church… it’s very frustrating that i can’t even argue over the scriptural, theological validity of my belonging. At the end of the day, my involvement in many churches is just a bad business decision for leadership.
Rob and I regret waiting so long. We should have left our former denomination when you did too. We talked about our roles in 2015 and how we still wanted to fight from within, be transformationalists and win our denom over to a healthier more Christlike engagement with complex issues that were so deeply personal and important. We regret not getting out so much earlier. We sacrificed way too much of ourselves, but we have become all the more grateful for people like you. We need you maybe more than ever now too. It’s hard to know what will happen next. But your story is certainly one to tell 🙏
I grew up in the CRC and the RCA and walked away from it all when I realized the churches I was raised in did not look like the Jesus they taught me about my whole life. Pastors like you are the only reason I still have hope and haven’t lost my faith completely. Thank you for these words.
Your message broke my heart wide open. Thank you for who you are. Your courage. Your integrity. You changed my life when I walked through those doors at City Church in 2019 and I am eternally grateful. Thank you for this powerful message. Xo
Thanks Fred. I remember this well. It was the moment that I realized that my good friend Fred was a great man.
"It's gonna be a year" remember that phone call? I sure do... and don't think I could have made it through that year without your support. Love and miss you my friend.
Fred, you continue to be a faith leader I I can follow, and someone who helps bolster my faith in Christ, and in the potential of the church to do good in the world.
We left our previous church in early 2021, after finally accepting that our church was nowhere near becoming affirming and would not fully welcome our friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ community. What a relief and breath of fresh air to land at City Church for a time, even if “virtually”. We will always be grateful to you and City Church.
Phenomenal work, Fred! I am honored to have been a witness to this challenging time of change and transformation in the church. Thank you for your leadership on this important work.
Hi Fred! I’m one of those people who found a life saving home because of the sacrifice you and so many others made 10 years ago. Thank you for choosing life (mine and many other LGBTQ+ individuals’) over comfort, ease or security.
Thank you for sharing this! This is both encouraging… and a bit heartbreaking too! I can respect a pastor who feels intensely torn in their convictions… but when it comes down to pastors avoiding this issue because of how well their church is financially and not wanting to lose that, that feels incredibly disappointing… I don’t know what else to say. As a gay Christian very committed to the church… it’s very frustrating that i can’t even argue over the scriptural, theological validity of my belonging. At the end of the day, my involvement in many churches is just a bad business decision for leadership.
Rob and I regret waiting so long. We should have left our former denomination when you did too. We talked about our roles in 2015 and how we still wanted to fight from within, be transformationalists and win our denom over to a healthier more Christlike engagement with complex issues that were so deeply personal and important. We regret not getting out so much earlier. We sacrificed way too much of ourselves, but we have become all the more grateful for people like you. We need you maybe more than ever now too. It’s hard to know what will happen next. But your story is certainly one to tell 🙏
Wow! Beautiful ❤️
Thank you Fred for your courage and compassion. I wish more pastors would follow in your footsteps.
You are the pastor I will never forget and always be grateful for.
Love you Lily! One day I'm going to write a post about what YL did to my son after he came out... stay tuned :)
I grew up in the CRC and the RCA and walked away from it all when I realized the churches I was raised in did not look like the Jesus they taught me about my whole life. Pastors like you are the only reason I still have hope and haven’t lost my faith completely. Thank you for these words.
Amen!
Your message broke my heart wide open. Thank you for who you are. Your courage. Your integrity. You changed my life when I walked through those doors at City Church in 2019 and I am eternally grateful. Thank you for this powerful message. Xo
Love you Rita! I remember the first day you walked into City Church. I talked to you and Robert and thought "these are my people" :)
Love this!