Wes Stevens photo

His Gospel of Inclusion created controversy in the Church of God in Christ. But Bishop Carlton Pearson says his life is "one big memorial."

"I am remembering that I love you and I know you."

A longtime member of the African American Pentecostal Bishops Conference – a group that came to declare him a heretic – Pearson spoke Saturday afternoon to a group of delegates and visitors to the UCC General Synod 27.

His separation from the Pentecostal movement occurred when he "could not reconcile the absolute love of God for all" with the concept of God "who would eternally torture."

"I could no longer hide my theological crisis. I did not have permission to love people" with an opposing theology. "But in my heart I felt related to the stranger."

Pearson discovered his religion was creating barrier between himself and those he felt called to serve. "I've dismissed so many people to hell," but, "God is love." He says the UCC message of inclusion is empowering.

"Did Jesus come to protect us FROM God or connect us TO God?," he asked. Pearson emphasizes that we need to give people permission to think again.

The naturalist Charles Darwin, Pearson believes, had it right when he wrote that it is not the strongest species or the most intelligent species which survive, it is the most adaptable species, those species which are willing to change. What churches and individuals must do is manage the change and master the change."

After all, he says, "Shift happens."