I belong to a progressive evangelical church in Franklin, TN whose pastor

[redstateblues]

recently came out in favor of LGBT rights and same sex marriage. As you can imagine it has caused a big uproar. Franklin is in TN's most conservative county in the state. Our congregation has lost a lot of people but we have also gained a lot and not just our LGBT brothers and sisters. Change is happening, albeit slowly, even in deep red TN. Here is a link to our pastor's journey. It's a bit long but he makes a compelling biblical case for his transformation. http://time.com/3687368/gracepointe-church-nashville-marriage-equality/

[guillaumeb]

1. Matthew 22:40 says it all

He came to replace the old covenant with the new.

Thanks for the link

[Thinkingabout]

2. Now this is a pastor who reaches out to all just like Jesus taught us. My best to you.

[southerncrone]

3. Hi, redstateblues.

We are almost neighbors, I live just outside Fairview.
Tho I am not a church-goer, glad to see there are some minds being opened here in redville.

[cry baby]

4. That had to take courage on his part.

I lived in Franklin for almost 25 years. I loved it there and will always call Franklin "home". Being a liberal, I definitely was a fish out of water, but I still loved it. I am in Texas now, but hope to return "home" someday.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. There is about 1% of Evangelicals not racist/sexist/crazy. I even know one who saw the movie

Porky's. Heathen's gonna burn in hell for seeing that movie!

[liberal_at_heart]

6. That is wonderful redstateblues. My father is evangelic Christian and he believes whatever

the other evangelicals tell him to believe which is usually either convert the gays or stay away from them because they will jeopardize your salvation. Nice to know there are a few evangelicals out there that don't follow that.

[Xipe Totec]

7. We need to stop using the term conservative; it lets them frame the debate. They are regressive. nt

[Heidi]

8. Kick!