Detroit, Michigan, August 13, 2014- One of Lansing, Michigan's most prominent Black pastors, Bishop David Maxell, had been quoted in the press in May of 2012, as saying that he agreed with homosexuals and lesbians who say that so called gay marriage is a "civil right".
Maxwell, Pastor of Eliezer Temple Church in Lansing, Michigan, has also served as head of Mayor Virg Bernero's Office of Faith-based Initiatives, was quoted as saying:
"Many of my comrades in the faith community have a struggle and cannot separate the theology with the civics of the president executing fairness and equity for all persons, It's a civil right. The sad thing about it is: You would have thought that the African-American pastoral or theological community would have sensitivity when they themselves have struggled civil rights-wise."
Maxwell also praised President Barack Obama for promoting an agenda to redefine marriage as other than between one man and one woman, ""I think the president is to be commended. He did not allow his own Christian philosophy or theology to dominate his presidential responsibility." However, in a recent letter dated May 19, 2014, Bishop Maxwell has clearly changed his mind regarding his support of marriage redefinition and his criticism of predominantly Black churches as being "homophobic".
"After reading statements attributed to me in a recent article, of which did not completely state my position on same sex marriage, and may lead some to view my statements as an endorsement of sort of same sex marriage. I am compelled to set the record straight".
Bishop Maxwell, who had strongly supported gay marriage as a civil right in 2014, now says that "the ban on gay marriage is based upon its immorality'. Maxwell is also now calling for all Christians to take a stand against the LGBT agenda to redefine marriage, "It is incumbent that like-mined people of faith take a public stand against the practice of same sex marriage and exercise our constitutional right to advance legislation that will cover all loopholes, and legally shut the door on same sex marriage in our state and nation.".
In 1975 Esther Phillips sang a song "What A Difference Day Makes", the lyrics singing: What a difference a day made, twenty four little hours. Brought the sun and the flowers where there used to be rain. My yesterday was blue dear. Today, I'm a part of you dear".
There is indeed a story in every we song sing.
Bishop Maxwell, who used to be a part of the LGBT advocacy demographic, has apparently found this position to be blue and is now happy to be a part of the Christian evangelical who choose to believe the Bible- that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Let's hope tomorrow won't make yet another difference for Bishop Maxwell.
(Editor's Note: Pastor Stacy Swimp is Founder of the Michigan based Revive Alive Missional Ministry. His blog may be found at Stacyswimp.net.)
