I know this will sound like bragging, but I know kids like Zach.
I know mothers like Zach’s mothers.

God blesses us by bringing them to us as members of the Northaven community.
(Sometimes as full members. Sometimes as “friends”)

Being a family is hard work. It takes the love and support of many. That “many” ought to include a loving church community. Most people understand that the support of a church community is one of the things that ever makes “family” possible –for any of us, gay or straight– in the first place.

I’m proud that Northaven members take their calling to love and care for children and families very seriously. I’m proud of the many traditional and LGBT families that feel called to live together in community in our church. I’m proud that we’ve placed an emphasis on ministries with children, youth, and families, and that we’re able to model what the church can be. (Anywhere, really)

I am pleased when we can be a blessing to LGBT families in our community.
(more below)

Given the lack of progress at General Conference, I can only hope and pray these families I know, who have found Northaven over the years, stay around now.

Frankly, every single year after General Conference, some leave. Entire families read the headlines, see the lack of change, and decide that, despite the love they feel at our particular church, they cannot support a denomination that does not fully support their family.

Others do not announce they are leaving, but just slip away quietly, never telling a soul. We just stop seeing their faces; the faces of their children.

So, tonight I continue to pray that one day our denomination can come to fully know the grace and blessing of families like Zach’s too, and to know the blessing that they can be to any church.

Because, the truth is, as a denomination?

The loss is ours.

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