Video> LGBT+ people and Christian communities: "Why does fishing mean to save?"
In this video interview with the Pastora and theologian BattistaAnna Maffei, which from 2004 to 2010 was the first women's president of theEvangelical Christian Union Battista d'Italia (Ucebi), we asked to help us reflect on the welcome of LGBT+ people in Christian communities; to tell us when he found himself with his community to have concretely built this reception; And why be "fishermen of men " (Matteo 4:19) does it mean saving?
He offered us many ideas and reminded us that "the (Christian) community must be able to pass the message that we are welcomed by God as we are. None excluded, because we are all designed by the grace of God. We are all welcomed not for what we are, but for the love that reaches us. It is such a universal message. "
On this issue: “We had a welcome experience in the Church Battista of Milan very indicative. A person, in view of the baptism, told us that he was in transition, therefore he wanted to be baptized with his new name.
We asked this boy to make a small video in which he told his faith and how important it was for him to be welcomed as he felt.
A short video, very simple, that we showed to the various groups of the community. We met the people, we made the video heard and then discussed with them, until the community took a position favorable so that this person was baptized with his new name ".
Because all “We are called to give one Testimony of love, not of an individual faith, but of a community faith. What the company needs, which we all need, is to live together.
We were created to be together, why "It is not good that man is alone" (Genesis 2:18). We were created to be together, to take care of each other, to be able to be supported, to rejoice together. This is the call to live healthy relationships. "
"We were involved in a larger project, which Jesus called" the kingdom of God ". But Jesus said that the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. We do not notice it, but where there is welcome, there is love: there God reigns.
The invitation that Jesus was: "Here we go", And said:"I will make you fishermen of men " (Matteo 4:19). The word, however, the Greek term to "fish", did not indicate fishing and then eating, but fishing in the sense of saving. We have the task of seeking, together with Jesus, of fetching people when they feel suffocated by the water ".
This video was made by Alessandro Previti as part of the Cornerstone Project, coordinated by La Tenda di Gionata, an initiative that wants to collect testimonies and reflections on the inclusion of LGBT+ believers and their families in the Catholic and evangelical communities, so that "the stone that the builders have discarded" become "corner head" (Luke 20: 17-18). More info on https://www.gionata.org/cornerstone/
The Cornerstone project of La Tenda di Gionata is supported by: The General and Sexuality Commission of the Churches of the Battiste, Methodist and Waldensian churches and by the Italian Evangelical Youth Federation (FGEI) and by some Christian realities of different parts of the world: Drachma Malta, Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, China Catholic Rainbow Community (China) and Rainbow Home Seven Sisters - Rhoss (India).
The 2025 edition of the Cornerstone project is co-financed by the eight per thousand fund of the Valdese Church (OPM/2024/47240)
