Dunwoody United Methodist Church

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I've been attending the Dunwoody Methodist Church for a little over a year. I've attended there regularly in the hope of understanding more about the heart of God.



Recently I met with Pastor Zach Martin about a struggle I'm having with life or death consequences. I shared with him a few personal stories from my past. He seemed, on the surface, compassionate and caring. At the end of our meeting he told me he would like a couple of days to think about our conversation and he would get back to me.



Today he called me to let me know that I was not welcomed in their church. He told me that the struggles I'm dealing with are too much for them to handle. Apparently offering prayer and counseling would be too much of a burden to them.



He also told me that if the congregation knew I was gay they would not be comfortable even sitting in the same room as me to share a Bible lesson with me. He suggested that I attend another church on the other side of town. I asked him why I would want to do that when this church has been the one I've been attending for over a year. He felt that I may be more comfortable, "with my own kind". That was insulting. I also brought to his attention that there are no people of color in the church as well. I asked him if they preferred a white, straight only church. His answer was, "That's how things are".



He said that if I were to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" I would be welcome. I told him that I don't normally discuss the intimate details of my life with people. His reply to me was, "You told me". I said, "Of course I told you things about myself, you're my Pastor and I came to you for counseling".



I asked him if the leadership ever challenges the church to have the heart of God. I went on to tell him that if this is how the leadership teaches the love, compassion and forgiveness of God he's failing. In the end he told me that I was not welcomed there.



If this is a church that claims to teach the heart of God I can tell you it's not there.