Editor's Note: In this new series, we explore the ongoing conversation within the church over LGBT identities, affirmation, and inclusion. As the push for equality expands, how are communities of faith participating and responding — and is it enough? We will be examining this at a deeper level in the January issue of Sojourners magazine, with a cover story from evangelical ethicist David Gushee. Subscribe Now to receive that issue.
During the opening worship service at the Reformation Project’s Washington, D.C., conference, a weekend of events promoting the biblical affirmation of the LGBT community, something seemed amiss. I looked around the church pews to find what fueled my unease. Maybe it was the guitar-charged praise music alongside traditional liturgy. Or maybe it was the older white man listening intently to the younger gay black woman. Evangelical vibrato next to mainline rigidity, old next to young, white next to black, gay next to straight next to bi next to transgendered.
It was a Galatians 3 kind of room — a reminder that in Jesus there is no longer “Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.” Gay or straight.
“For all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
It was that sacred “oneness” that surprised me. Nothing was actually amiss — all things were new. There was a colorful rareness and a refreshing affirmation.
Rev. Allyson Robinson gave the opening address of the conference, offering prayer, Scripture, encouragement, and a few warnings for the LGBT-affirming church. The warnings came in the form of analogy in which she likened the temptations of Jesus in the desert to the temptations of the affirming church on the verge of a culture war victory.
The “temptation to presumption” in particular stuck out to me.
Just as Jesus couldn’t presume the angels would save him if he jumped off the pinnacle of the temple, members of the affirming church can’t presume to be right on all things just because they are right about extending love to the LGBT community. Presumption wears a mask of holiness that feeds a dangerous “smugness.” Such smugness allows us to mock and disparage members of non-affirming churches without grace.
“We say they’re lost but make no effort to lead them home,” said Robinson, a pastor, activist, and former army officer who also happens to be transgender. Robinson spoke powerfully about the need to not leave behind the very Christians who would call her preaching and her marriage sinful.
This temptation to presumption resonated deeply with Joey Longley, a former intern at Sojourners and an attendee of the conference who describes himself as “a person who has experienced the transforming love of Jesus Christ and happens to be gay.” Joey grew up in a home that was not LGBT-affirming and, by extension, neither was he. He knows from first-hand experience that many Christians “have slowly and non-linearly moved from non-affirmation to affirmation.”
But the more victories scored by the affirming church, the harder it becomes for Joey to engage with “non-affirming friends in a way that reflects Christ well.”
The conference was designed to help attendees learn how to lovingly and confidently engage in those challenging conversations. Matthew Vines, Reformation Project founder, led sessions on the biblical case for same-sex relationships. Intimate panel sessions worked to address often ignored questions: How can I be an ally for transgender people? What happens if my church will support women leaders but not gay women leaders? And perhaps most importantly: What can I do in my community right now to further the movement?
Some of the most powerful moments of the conference happened outside of the scheduled activities.
“Sharing laughter, tears, and stories over meals with other queer people is a powerful experience.” Joey explained. “For a while, my own internalized homophobia made me think that I was being selfish when I spoke out on LGBT issues …[But] when 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT, nearly one-third of LGBT teens of color attempt suicide, and there are bills signed into law in Uganda putting people in jail for being gay, it's pretty hard to say that this isn't a crucial social justice issue.”
We were all reminded of just how crucial this social justice issue is when protesters arrived outside of the church with a large cross and a mission to save our colorfully affirming souls. At least three conference attendees went outside to share with the protesters the biblical case for LGBT inclusion that Vines had just taught them.
Dr. David Gushee, leading evangelical ethicist, delivered a powerful closing address. It was an apology, a sermon, and an analogy comparing the past Christian teachings of contempt against the Jewish community to the present Christian teachings of contempt against the LGBT community.
“To hear someone use such fresh language to talk about an issue that affects me so personally was moving,” Joey said. “I believe that his work on this issue will help the church eventually move from being the perpetrators of harm to being agents of healing and restoration.”
When the applause finally subsided, we all came forward to receive communion — to go to the table set for every single one of us.
Jenna Barnett is Editorial Assistant for Sojourners.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!