Rob Sand’s Gubernatorial Campaign and His Church’s Controversial Practices

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has garnered attention for his association with a far-left church in Iowa that promotes LGBTQ+ inclusivity and offers programming that some critics argue introduces gender ideology to children. Sand is currently competing against Republican candidate Zach Lahn, a businessman and farm owner, and is reportedly leading by an average of over 8 points in various polls.

Sand defines himself as a “governor for all” and claims he is weary of the ongoing cultural battles, but his ties to the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, which has a history of progressive activism, may raise questions about his alignment with those issues. The church, from which he draws his community support, has been characterized by some as akin to the beliefs held by certain progressive politicians in Texas.

Sand, who grew up in a Lutheran environment and often reflects on his faith, attends Plymouth Church in Des Moines. The church sees itself as an “LGBTQ+ Open & Affirming Congregation,” and it interprets the Bible as a significant yet complex text, rather than the inerrant word of God as traditionally understood by many Christians.

Plymouth Church was one of the pioneers in welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals into its congregation, adopting an “open and affirming” policy in 1993. The church actively encourages practices that promote inclusivity, including the use of pronoun buttons, social media acceptance, and carrying symbols of support like rainbow flags.

Over the years, the church has participated in numerous pride events and LGBTQ+ rallies. It notably led an ecumenical service at the Des Moines Pride Festival and has publicly supported the transgender community through participation in protests and awareness events. One event featured a transgender pastor, Rev. Paula Stone Williams, signaling the church’s commitment to representation and inclusivity.

The church also hosts performances by drag artists, framing these as communal celebrations of identity and love. Recently, they organized a concert aimed at promoting joy and acceptance, describing it as a space for those seeking affirmation.

One of the more contested aspects of the church is its “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) education program, which offers sexuality education from kindergarten through adulthood. This curriculum includes materials for young children that introduce them to concepts like gender identity. For example, one story features a sibling adjusting to the transition of a younger child identified at birth as female to a boy. Other suggested educational resources include gender-neutral narratives and age-appropriate discussions on queer topics.

Neither Sand nor Plymouth Church responded to requests for comments regarding these developments. A spokesperson for Lahn’s campaign expressed concern about the implications of Sand’s associations and values, asserting that they do not represent traditional Iowa values.

Furthermore, Plymouth Church’s social stances extend beyond LGBTQ+ support; it has also voiced support for Black Lives Matter and more recently, for reproductive rights, which sparked outcry from opponents. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the church backed those advocating for “reproductive care,” utilizing terminology that some view as more politically correct. They held vigils and celebrated their involvement in pro-abortion demonstrations, clearly aligning themselves with progressive causes.