The church’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has been complex and often contentious. In 2026, with 530 anti-LGBTQ bills in state legislatures, the stakes are higher than ever. However, the most significant failures have not been in outright condemnation but in the well-meaning but ultimately superficial efforts at inclusion. The church’s journey towards true affirmation has been a learning experience, one that has revealed profound truths about faith and humanity.
The heart of Christian faith lies in the Incarnationthe belief that God became human. This divine act sanctifies all human bodies and lives. Yet, the church has struggled to fully embrace this theology, particularly when it comes to queer and trans bodies. The failure to recognize the holiness of all bodies is a denial of the Incarnation itself. This realization has forced the church to confront its theological shortcomings and rethink its approach to LGBTQ+ people.
Theology Over Hospitality
The church’s initial efforts at inclusion often focused on hospitalitysuch as displaying rainbow flags or updating websites. However, these gestures did little to address the deeper theological issues. The problem was not one of welcoming but of recognizing the inherent worth and sacredness of LGBTQ+ individuals. The church had to acknowledge that queer and trans people are not guests at the Table but family members who have always been part of the faith community.
Pastor Stan Mitchell of GracePointe Church in Nashville captured this shift in perspective: “Our job wasn’t to invite LGBTQ people to the Table. They were already there. It was we who were finally making our way to the Lord’s Table.” This realization marked a profound change in the church’s understanding of its role and the nature of its community.
Language and Recognition
The language used to describe the church’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has also evolved. Terms like “welcoming” and “inclusive” can imply a hierarchy, suggesting that the church is doing LGBTQ+ people a favor by allowing them to participate. However, true affirmation means recognizing that LGBTQ+ individuals are bearers of the image of God and full members of the faith community. They are not recipients of the church’s generosity but active participants in its life and mission.
Andrew Daugherty, senior pastor of Pine Street Church in Boulder, Colorado, emphasizes that “affirming means recognizing LGBTQ people are not guests at the Table. They’re family.” This shift in language reflects a deeper understanding of the church’s role and the inherent dignity of all its members.
Lessons from the Queer Community
The queer community has taught the church valuable lessons about resilience, integrity, and the cost of living authentically. LGBTQ+ individuals have demonstrated remarkable strength in the face of rejection and adversity. Their experiences have shown the church what it means to live with integrity when the cost is high. The debt of gratitude runs in one direction, and it is the church that owes the queer community for their enduring faith and forgiveness.
Pride Month is not just a celebration but a proclamation of the gospel’s inclusive message. It is a defiant insistence that God became flesh in all its diversity and that every body, every love, and every life is sacred. This message is particularly important in the face of political movements that seek to marginalize and exclude queer and trans individuals.
The church’s journey towards LGBTQ+ inclusion has been a humbling experience. It has revealed the church’s theological shortcomings and the profound lessons it has learned from the queer community. The path to true affirmation is ongoing, but the insights gained along the way have deepened the church’s understanding of the gospel and its call to love and include all people.
