The Rev. James T. Morris, senior pastor of Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, is leaving the pulpit and St. Louis after 14 years of service.
Morris has been an outspoken, progressive voice in the local clergy – and state Legislature, where he served a term as Democratic state representative. He spoke up, particularly, on labor and health issues, opposing then Gov. Matt Blunt’s sweeping cuts to Medicaid.
At Lane Tabernacle, he oversaw the establishment of the church’s Health Ministry and Comprehensive Cancer Coalition and the opening of its community center, the Isom Center.
Morris, 53, a native of Paducah, Kentucky and married father of three sons, also struggled against the orthodoxy at Lane. He said he tried to bring diversity to Lane on several issues and failed, and that ultimately is why he is leaving in a bid to serve as CME bishop and advocate for change at a higher level. He talked to The American about this struggle.
The St. Louis American: Why are you leaving Lane Tabernacle?
Rev. James T. Morris: I have taken the Tabernacle as far as I can take it, or as far as they will go with me. And I feel this calling, this tug to change the direction of our international church.
The American: Change the direction in what way?
Rev. Morris: In a way that is more friendly to the new millennium. Some of our interpretations of scripture are in need of some finessing.
The American: What change “more friendly to the new millennium” would you make?
Rev. Morris: How we view people who are of different sexual preferences and how we view people who don’t look like us. CME is historically an African-American church and not always terribly friendly to people who don’t look like us. From my window, that is not Christ-like.
The American: And your attempts to move Lane in this direction were poorly received?
Rev. Morris: Absolutely. There were times people who did not look like me came into Lane and people would ask them the ridiculous question, “Why are you here?”
The American: What interpretations of scripture need finessing?
Rev. Morris: We need to take a different look at homosexuality as a sin that is unforgivable. Christ was about love and compassion for all humanity. He never stopped and asked someone, “Are you homosexual?” That word never came out of his mouth. The church needs to start meeting people where they are. We need to show the love of Christ and the love of God, rather than the wrath of God.
The American: So what’s your next move in trying to change the direction of the church?
Rev. Morris: I am going to Baltimore on the 27th of June for the CME General Conference. The issue of homosexuality will be one that will be before our church to deal with, and the delegates will then have a chance to decide whether they like my progressive views. They will vote for me to become a bishop – or not vote for me.
The American: If they’re with you, you become a bishop. If they’re against you, then what?
Rev. Morris: I have several options, several offers on the table. I’ve been in the academy before, at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, and some other denominations have said they would like me to serve.
The American: Given your generation, it must have been a journey for you in your thinking about homosexuality.
Rev. Morris: Working at the St. Paul School of Theology (1993-5) helped me to get there. It’s a United Methodist seminary. As director of student development, I was hit in the face by the idea of homosexuality and the ministry. Students wanted to have gay and lesbian clubs on campus, and I had to wrestle with my views personally and wrestle with scripture. I had a contingent of students challenge me as to my views on homosexuality. A couple of homosexual students looked at me and said, “Am I not God’s child too?” That was my epiphany.
The American: Do you think St. Louis, and the black community here particularly, needs to deal with this issue?
Rev. Morris: Absolutely. Many musicians in our churches are homosexual. It’s all right to be a musician, but it seems like they don’t want them to be anything else. They want them to be quiet. That’s unacceptable.
The American: You’re really telling it like it is.
Rev. Morris: I tell people the truth, that’s my problem. That’s been my problem in St. Louis.
The American: I’ve noticed many black people in St. Louis reject gay rights as a civil rights issue.
Rev. Morris: I see it as a civil rights issue. There were times when white America said slavery was God’s design for the black man. They cited the curse of Ham. So if we want to say there is no Hamidic curse on black people, then why is there a gay curse? For me there is no difference.
One scripture cited against homosexuality is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. It talks about the wicked who will not inherit the kingdom of God and lists the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers and homosexuals. So if we want to call being gay a sin that excludes you from the church, what about adulterers? God knows what we’d do with the church if we threw all the adulterers out of the pulpit.
A special tribute dinner to honor Rev. Morris will be held at the Westport Sheraton Chalet Hotel on Saturday, May 31. Tickets are $100. To order tickets, call 314-533-0534.
