If you have been searching for an inclusive church in Charlotte, NC, you are not alone. More and more people across the Charlotte area are looking for a faith community that truly welcomes them as they are, regardless of their background, identity, or life story. Some have been hurt by churches in the past. Some are coming to faith for the first time and want to make sure there is room for their questions. Others have simply grown tired of communities that preach welcome but quietly practice exclusion. At Myers Park Baptist Church, that kind of radical, unconditional welcome is not just a talking point. It is a covenant we have lived by for decades.

A Legacy of Inclusion Since 1943

Myers Park Baptist Church was founded in 1943 on the principles of religious freedom rooted in the Baptist tradition. Our founding families envisioned a place where individuals could interpret scripture for themselves and serve as priests to one another, building a community grounded in mutual care rather than top-down authority. That spirit of openness has shaped every chapter of our church's story.

In 1965, at the height of the civil rights crisis in America, our congregation took a bold and public stand by voting to be "open to all and closed to none" as a declaration of our openness to people of every race. That vote was not a footnote in our history. It was a foundation. At a time when many churches were silent or complicit, Myers Park Baptist chose a different path, and that commitment has only deepened in the decades since.

Our Congregational Covenant: A Spiritual Touchstone

In 1981, our congregation formalized our shared values in a Congregational Covenant that still guides us today. We believe we are a people on a journey of faith, and that journey is meant to be walked together. The covenant calls us to:

• Be open to all new light, strengthened by God and each other
• Sustain a critical examination of scripture, belief, and ritual
• Accept controversy as a reality of life and an opportunity for growth
• Be a community of God's new creation, affirming we are open to all and closed to none
• Be priests celebrating God's presence in community and in the world

This is not a passive set of ideals. It is an active, living commitment to creating a church where every person belongs. We believe faith grows when it is challenged, examined, and shared across difference. That is the kind of community we are building here in Charlotte.

What "Open to All and Closed to None" Actually Means

Over the decades, our congregation has worked to make our welcome increasingly concrete and specific. We have involved women in all areas of church life. We have deepened our relationship with the Jewish community by opening our doors to the local synagogue. We have welcomed into membership people baptized in traditions other than believer's baptism by immersion.

In 2001, we approved a formal Statement on LGBTQ+ Inclusion, which we strengthened and revised in November 2022. The statement is clear and unequivocal: we categorically reject any and all attempts to view or treat our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers as any less valued than any other human being. Our welcome extends to all persons without regard to race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or attraction, biological sex, age, economic status, or physical and mental capacity.

We believe that God's call, gifts, and blessings are given to all God's people. Full stop. When we say everyone is welcome at Myers Park Baptist Church, we mean it in the fullest sense of the word.

A Church Committed to Justice, Not Just Inclusion in Words

Being a truly inclusive church in Charlotte means more than opening the doors on Sunday morning. It means actively working against injustice in our city and our world throughout the week. Myers Park Baptist Church is opposed to all forms of injustice and oppression, and we are unafraid to say so publicly.

Through our 2018 Live Forward Strategic Plan, we developed a thoughtful and inclusive process for taking timely, courageous, and public institutional stands on justice issues. Our congregational statements address a range of pressing issues including LGBTQ+ inclusion, racism, immigration, and the freedom of the pulpit. These are not fringe concerns for us. They are expressions of our deepening commitment to the gospel of love and reconciliation.

Research from the Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org) consistently shows that Americans, especially younger generations, are seeking faith communities that align with values of inclusion and social justice. Churches that engage honestly with the challenges of our time are the ones drawing people back through their doors. We are proud to be one of those communities right here in Charlotte.

Why Charlotte Families and Individuals Choose Myers Park Baptist

Whether you are new to Charlotte, returning to faith after time away, or simply searching for a church home that feels honest and open, Myers Park Baptist Church offers something rare: a congregation that has put its convictions in writing and spent decades trying to live them out. We are not a perfect community, but we are a committed one.

We gather for worship, Christian education, and community because we believe faith is not meant to be practiced alone. We dedicate our personal and material resources to reconciliation in the world because we believe the church exists for more than itself. And we keep returning to our covenant because we know that living out these values requires intention and accountability.

If you have felt pushed out of faith communities before, or if you have simply never found a church that felt like home, we invite you to visit us. Bring your questions, your doubts, your full self. That is exactly who we are here for.

Come As You Are

Myers Park Baptist Church is located in the heart of Charlotte, NC, and we would love to welcome you into our community. Explore our worship services, ministries, and community life to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and how you can get involved.

Your search for an inclusive church in Charlotte can end here.

Because we truly are open to all and closed to none.