The Swedenborgian Church of North America is a progressive voice within the broader Swedenborgian movement, actively embracing and affirming the LGBTQ+ community. Rooted in the spiritual insights of 17th-century Christian mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, the Swedenborgian Church of North America interprets his emphasis on divine love and a life of charity as a call for radical inclusivity.
This understanding leads them to welcome all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. To be sure, there are less queer friendly Swedenborgian groups, but the SCNA has been completely welcoming for a long time. The SCNA’s commitment to inclusion is evident in its practices.
They ordained their first openly gay minister in 1997, and many of their local congregations proudly perform same-sex marriages. Furthermore, all rites and sacraments of the church, including baptism, confirmation, communion, and ordination, are available to LGBTQ+ individuals.
The SCNA publicly declares itself not merely open, but “LGBTQ+ Embracing,” encouraging its constituent bodies to adopt similar welcoming policies. This stance is supported by a theological approach that views the Bible and Swedenborg’s writings through a lens of love and diversity, affirming the equal value and worth of all people and their loving relationships. SCNA is a small denomination.
It is progressive and a precursor to some of the metaphysical movements. Their understanding of the Trinity is God as Love, Wisdom, and Activity, and this Trinity is fully embodied in the person of Jesus. They read the Bible allegorically, looking for deeper, spiritual meanings beneath the stories.
For the SCNA, salvation amounts to ongoing spiritual growth and evolution and is available to every loving person living a life of goodness, regardless of their religious affiliation. They believe that God can bring goodness and growth from any situation.
They believe angels are people who previously lived in this world. And they believe the so-called second coming is a spiritual event that happens within us. They affirm that God is all-loving. If you want to check out a Swedenborgian service, remember, it’s the Swedenborgian Church of North America that is LGBTQ embracing. They have resources online if you would like to know more about them. swedenborg.org/
