I am Rev. David Wiggs

I am Rev. David Wiggs

I am Rev. David Wiggs (he/him), Senior Pastor at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Boston Avenue is a historic downtown congregation of nearly 8,000 members. Our reach also extends via our television ministry to four states every Sunday morning. Immediately preceding this appointment, I served as a District Superintendent in my conference. For more than thirty-five years I have worked with people in the United Methodist Church and related agencies including as a Board Member for Oklahoma State University Wesley Foundation, Trustee for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and as a St Paul School of Theology Trustee.

Opening “new doors” for people to participate in the church has been an ongoing focus in my ministry. I believe that the Gospel clearly calls us to be in full ministry with anyone seeking Christ. When the Special General Conference doubled down and made the decision that pastors could not be trusted to make decisions in their own area of appointment as to which weddings we would perform, I knew the delegates voting for that were charting a path veering off from the main Wesleyan tradition. Add the policy of mandatory penalties, suspensions and revoking a person’s ordination on this basis, and it is so anti-Wesleyan (In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity) that I cannot support it.

Targeting a single group of people for exclusion is discriminatory. In that regard, using one’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis to judge a candidate for ministry, rather than demonstrated gifts and graces producing fruit in ministry is something I also cannot support. I know candidates and pastors with great gifts for ministry, producing fruit, whom identify as LGBTQ. Banning them from ministry on this basis I find robs the church of talent and ignores God’s work in creating a diverse human/church family. Boston Avenue's leadership is of one mind that we must resist these policies and the unending harm they have caused and will continue to cause, if followed. I am thankful to be a team member of #ResistHarm and hope you will get involved, too.

Recent Updates

Resist Harm Movement Gains Momentum toward General Conference 2024
Growing numbers of United Methodists are actively resisting the harm caused by anti-LGBTQ+ policies and practices of the United Methodist Church. With three months until General Conference convenes in Charlotte, North Carolina, the movement is making a difference in communities across the denomination, and for our direction as a United Methodist Church.  As we prepare […]
A Message to the UMC: Resist Harm
In the wake of a postponed General Conference and a continued pandemic, we are urgently called again to the work of Christ – in all the ways we can. Ever more clearly, we discern the disconnect between the logistics of our gathering and the call of the gospel.  The institutional fight to enshrine anti-LGBTQ+ policies […]
Prayer of Witness
Pray With those who have another year for preparing to serve as delegates to General Conference, that they may have patience in this time of waiting; With those who live in places where it is unsafe to claim the name of Christ; With those struggling to live Jesus’ way in places where money, power, greed, […]
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Latest Resources

February Worship Planning Worksheet
We invite you to incorporate the work of resisting harm into the worship life of your church or group.  This worksheet is a tool for use by individuals or groups, as a starting point for finding ways to incorporate #ResistHarm into regular Sunday worship, small group meetings, or vigils and special services; it includes some starting points, […]
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Liturgy from enfleshed
With a commitment to spiritual and theological depth and the centering of marginalized experiences, conversations, and communities, enfleshed seeks to provide liturgy, devotionals, curriculum, preaching, training, and pastoral care that addresses honestly, tenderly, and directly, the beauty and pain of living enfleshed lives.
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Songs for the Holy Other
The Hymn Society has edited and shares this free volume of hymns affirming the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Visit their site to download.
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Resist Harm is organized by everyday United Methodists in every corner of the connection and is supported by a number of organizational partners.* To learn more about our partners, visit their websites:
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*The tools, resources, and opportunities posted on Resist Harm have been suggested by people or organizations associated with the movement. They are not necessarily endorsed by all of the partners.
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