The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries

The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries is a multi-denominational group of primarily African American Christian leaders and laity representing churches and faith-based organizations from the USA, Africa, and Mexico. These churches range from ultra-conservative backgrounds to more liberal, independent churches; from startup, developing to very large, established churches and from churches that are economically challenged to the very affluent. The overriding purpose of The Fellowship is to support religious leaders and laity in moving toward a theology of radical inclusivity which, by its very nature, requires an equally radical social ministry reaching to the furthest margins of society to serve all in need without prejudice or discrimination. The more specific goals of the Fellowship are to create a safe environment where all can assemble in order to

1) develop a safe space for personal authenticity and open honest exchange;

2) adopt a more inclusive theology; and

3) create a network of collaborative support and practical guidance to prevent isolation and loss, both financially and socially which typically haunt leaders and their churches as they become more radically inclusive.

Historically, faith leaders have been a very strong voice for justice and compassion in the political and social life of African Americans and other minority communities.  Faith leaders, time and again, have taken the lead and have been a voice of conscience on issues ranging from poverty and homelessness to peace and civil rights.  However, a significant number of African American churches remain judgmental in their theology and conservative in their politics towards some people who traditionally have lived at the margins of society, such as people suffering substance abuse; people living with HIV/AIDS; same gender loving people; the recently incarcerated; and sex industry workers. 

Many in the African American church and their leaders suffer from oppression sickness: while aware of the legacy of cultural oppression suffered by African Americans, some religious authorities continue this form of oppression by excluding and condemning those who they disapprove of and do not understand.  The doctrines and tenets of Christianity presently practiced by African Americans in this country were learned in the context of chattel slavery where classism, racism and sexism were the rule. Over time, institutions in the African American Church itself mimic the oppressor by exercising oppressive exclusion. Many African American churches have achieved substantial power and influence within their respective communities by virtue of marginalizing certain segments of society. Furthermore, this external marginalization often is mirrored within the very structure of authority of churches, which typically are patriarchal and rigidly hierarchical. 

Recently, however, there has been a growing movement challenging theologies, which promote exclusion, and calling on churches to become more involved in the life of the community.  This enables the celebration of diversity and inclusion of all peoples, especially those who have traditionally been marginalized by Church. Yet there is often a heavy price to pay for individual pastors and their congregations for making this courageous change: congregations become bitterly divided, memberships decrease, financial stability is lost, leaders are removed from their positions of authority, and social ostracism is unleashed on the pastors and their congregations alike. 

The Fellowship’s overarching goal is creating, sustaining and celebrating community on the margin. At its simplest level, the Fellowship offers a place of Hospitality: Marginalized people experience hospitality where they have neither to defend nor to deny their place or their humanness.  Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.  The intention of hospitality is not to force people to change, but to offer them space where change can take place; It is not meant to convert men and women over to any one “side,” but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines and to engage in heartfelt, meaningful dialogue.

The Fellowship welcomes all persons to join them on this journey. They don’t purport to have all of the answers, but they endeavor to create an environment where they can search together in full assurance of faith in a God Who’s love is great enough to hold us all.