Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’
10 Anti-LGBT Things You Can’t Do While Following Jesus
As I say in all of my “10 Things You Can’t Do While Following Jesus” articles, this is by no means meant to be a complete list, but it’s a decent place to start. Also, this is not to say that people are unable to do these things when they are following Jesus, as much…
Read MoreFinding My Way Home: My Journey As A Trans* Christian
My greatest problem with being a Trans* person was coming to terms with my faith. I grew up in the Southern Baptist church. My earliest memories were of my church. It was always the center point of my existence. I didn’t think I was being traumatized by my church while I was growing up. I…
Read MoreHow Employment Discrimination Affects My Life
One of the great joys in my life as executive director of Integrity USA, the national Episcopal LGBTQ organization, is being contacted by transgender and gay people looking for help in meeting their needs. I am always thrilled when I can connect people to new friends, educational materials, or welcoming faith communities. Unfortunately, there’s one…
Read MoreA Sanctuary Of Rainbows
I have never in my life heard a Pentecost sermon that began in total honesty. A Holy Week homily can easily start with “It is finished.” And who can resist the back-and-forth that begins Easter Sunday sermons around the world: “He is risen!” followed by an emotional “He is risen, indeed!” The Pentecost story gives…
Read MoreSpreading Hope At Spokane’s Pride: A Pastor’s Testimony
Photo (l-r): Rev. Deb Conklin, Rev. Liv Larson Andrews, Rev. Chris Snow, and Pastor Jan Shannon It is the evening after the 23rd Annual Spokane Pride Parade and Festival, and I’m tired. For 23 years, Spokane’s LGBTQ community have bravely taken to the streets in a march for inclusion and respect, and for 23 years, there have been Christian…
Read MoreWalking With God: Meeting My Hipster Pastor On The Streets Of Brooklyn
I went for a long walk recently. I woke up early, and I was all ready to be idle in front of the computer for hours when I heard a voice say, “Get out, it’s beautiful.” This winter was brutal, and I could’ve paid my rent for a few months if I had a dollar…
Read MorePride Month: Church Of The Village Prays The LGBT Way Of The Cross
The way of the cross is an ancient tradition that retraces the steps of Jesus, remembering his suffering but also remembering the love, hope, and promise into which we are invited to enter. During Pride Month, the United Methodist Church of the Village is following this tradition by reflecting on the ways Christ has suffered in the…
Read MoreThe General Assembly Is Not God
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will soon make headlines, one way or another. The decisions we make at our 221st General Assembly will be reported across national media outlets through words loosely connected to what we actually experience together as a denominational family. (Prayers for you, reporters!) Amongst other decisions, we will vote to clarify the definition…
Read MoreA Trans Christian’s Open Letter To The Southern Baptist Convention
Dear Southern Baptist Convention, I know that you are considering passing a resolution against transgender identity this week at your meeting in Baltimore. In anticipation of this vote, I write to you as a fellow believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, the person to whom I have given my heart…
Read MoreRainbow Christ Prayer: LGBT Flag Reveals The Queer Christ
Colors of the rainbow flag reveal the many faces of the queer Christ in the following Rainbow Christ Prayer I wrote with gay theologian Patrick S. Cheng. Rainbow flags are flying around the world in June for LGBT Pride Month. Rainbows are also an important symbol in many religious traditions. The Rainbow Christ Prayer honors…
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