Author Archives: Rev. Cedric A. Harmon
Three Ways that “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin” Falls Short
In my experience, people want to be nice. Our desire is to treat people fairly, not rustle feathers or cause each other to feel uncomfortable. We avoid saying upsetting things to one another. Often we contort our minds to find a …
It’s a Family Affair
Recently, in conversation with affirming and inclusive ministry colleagues, one raised the question of how to successfully present marriage equality to Black churches in Maryland. A year of such equality was just then being celebrated in Washington, DC—a predominantly African …
Enough love to speak
Do you ever wonder, as I do, will the beloved community just show up one day? Are you waiting for people to simply “get it”? Do slow progress and endless votes annoy and unnerve you? Have you become impatient for …
Sweet Tea: “We haven’t forgiven ourselves for being gay.”
On a recent Saturday night I went to see playwright E. Patrick Johnson in his one man performance, Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South. One point he brilliantly made during a monologue has haunted my thoughts, “We haven’t …
Pastor, “Is God displeased with me?”
Recently a pastor described to me the experience of sitting in the office with a church member and being asked a familiar question, “Pastor, Is God displeased with me?” This leader had demonstrated and publicly stated their welcome. The congregation …
Words from the pulpit; what difference do they make?
I know people who long to hear words of love and acceptance from the pulpit they face each Sunday. I have seen tears trickle down the cheeks of friends convinced that who they are displeases God. I have witnessed gifted, …