Posts Tagged ‘LGBT people of faith’
That All Might Hear The Gospel And Live
Walking into my parish church August 13, 2014, I took notice of the sun streaming through the skylight in our church commons, gleaming on the water of the baptismal font. It was a bright and warm summer afternoon, typical for August in Indiana. On this afternoon, I had been summoned to a meeting with my…
Read MoreWhen Is “Enough” Enough?
Recently, some African American pastors who came to “heckle” me changed their minds and instead asked me what they could do to move the conversation about moral equality for LGBT people in the Black church forward. I appreciate their honesty regarding the difficulty of this justice shift and the courage of those who will embark…
Read MoreWhy I Defend An Institution That Does Not Defend Me
In case you missed it, a few days ago the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) changed its definition of marriage to include people of every sexual orientation and gender identity. There has been much celebration, and I rejoice with my Presbyterian siblings. As someone who is particularly sensitive to Reformed theology, days like these make me desperately…
Read MoreA Prayer Upon the Adoption of “Marriage Between Two People”
Loving God of all, I confess I hardly know what to pray today. But I’ll take a deep breath, trust in Your guidance, and find out. Last week my church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), adopted by a majority vote (87) among our 172 regions, this statement on marriage: “Marriage involves a unique commitment between two…
Read MoreMy Faith Is Bigger Than the Church
Throughout my first year of seminary, I often had conversations with a good friend living overseas. While our conversation topics ranged from politics to cultural differences to vacation locations, one of our most popular subjects to discuss was religion. We came from two completely different backgrounds-he is a white straight British male who is no…
Read MoreWalking in Grace: Affirming Marriage for All Loving Couples
Presbyteries have now voted YES! The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) now includes all loving and committed couples. Amendment 14F was ratified by 51% of our Presbyteries. In the PC(USA), marriage is now defined as between “two people.” More Light Presbyterians embarked on this journey decades ago. One man stood up at…
Read MoreLiving Non-Binary: Taking A Leap Of Faith
When I first came out to my friends and loved ones as a non-binary trans person, I was forced to take a leap of faith I really wasn’t sure I wanted to take. I didn’t yet have the language to well describe my experience, who I was becoming, or how people could better understand what…
Read MoreWhy We Refused To Cut A Gay Character From Our Christian Film
Hear ye, hear ye: God’s love is for everyone! This is the central message of our film Pass the Light. Who could dispute such a thing, right? Plenty of people, it turns out. Oh, sure, they will frame it inside “You don’t understand” and “You’re taking it the wrong way,” but from the powers that…
Read MoreHaving The Conversation—Even When You’re Not Sure How
As a minister of God, it’s important for me to be as inclusive as possible. That is why, when Many Voices asked me to be a part of their video campaign, I didn’t hesitate. My concept of Christianity is based on love, regardless of who you are. When LGBT people come to Mount Vernon Church in Clayton,…
Read MoreWalking In Two Worlds: A Queer Spiritual Journey
I walk in two worlds. As a queer person of faith, my lived experience is a series of negotiations between contexts that affirm either my Queerness or my Faith Walk. It is not unusual for a context that is life-giving to one of these facets of my being to not make much room for the…
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