As an institution of God’s word, church is a place that is kept “in order” no matter how the members of its congregation may feel. We imagine that’s the argument of Marvin Winans, pastor of The Perfecting Church in Detroit, who has reportedly declared that no child may be blessed (christened) in front of the congregation if they have been conceived outside of wedlock.
A member of his church family, Charity Grace, told My Fox Detroit that her 2-year-old-son Joshua was not allowed to participate in the church’s dedication ceremony, a non-denominational tradition in which children are dedicated to God as opposed to being baptized as newborns, because she is a single mother.
“I told them I was not married and that’s where everything just broke loose. I’ve never felt so degraded and disrespected in my life. What they could do for me is let my son get dedicated, during a week day with one of the elders of my choice.”
Since the incident, Grace has decided to leave The Perfecting Church because she feels the social climate is not accommodating to single and unwed mothers. She stated:
“The church should be the last place you should go to be judged and denied.”
We have to say we agree with Grace. Though the Bible has set forth guidelines for Christians to follow in order to achieve the purpose and promise of God, churches needs to stop the cycle of shame it projects upon its members. Instead of comparing sinful nature or determining on a scale of 1-10 what sin is acceptable or not, the church should be a source of tools on how to better the lives of its members. Furthermore, the child who was born out of wedlock is innocent in the matter and completely deserving of a blessing from God.
Do you think Pastor Winans policy is “perfected” in the will of God or unnecessarily embarrassing its members?
