Sometimes the greatest lessons in life can be learned by getting lost...
First, before I get to far into this post. I AM SORRY. I am sorry. I am sorry.
I have been struggling watching the news, facebook feeds, and social media in general. Why? We are better than this. Over the last several days my news feed has been alive with the conversations about gender and about accepting LGBTQIA+ individuals into the life and ministry of the church. Some has been positive, and some... horrendous. It has made me struggle immensely with the way we debate people's worth or worthiness. "Since its first official statement on homosexuality in 1972, the denomination has tried to mark out a middle ground of grace and traditional orthodoxy, stating that “homosexuals no less than heterosexuals are person of sacred worth” while still considering “the practice of homosexuality … incompatible with Christian teaching.” (Link) We have these conversations as if the worthiness of a call is something for someone in a higher place to debate? Are we not all called, as people of God, to bear witness to Jesus Christ? Whether slave or free, Jew or Gentile, man or woman, LGBTQIA+ or straight, child or adult, we are all called and endowed with the Holy Spirit to share a message of Jesus' love with the world. We pervert scripture to seclude people. We, quite simply, exclude people. Whether scripture or not, we like who we like and we debate the worthiness of who is convenient. I have watched the news throughout the last few weeks and all of the language is about whether people are worthy of wearing a collar or not. We are so much better than this. My heart breaks for those that have to listen to a council debate whether or not someone is worthy of sharing the good news. Whether they qualify for the office of "Pastor" or not. Some of the best messages of grace, love and acceptance have come from the voices of my LGBTQIA+ friends and colleagues. They have humbled my spirit and shaped and formed me as a more compassionate leader. Why are we allowing institutions to judge worthiness? YOU ARE WORTH IT. Your voice needs to be heard. We need to hear your stories, we need your voice and your compassion. We are better when we are church together. When our valuing of human experience and story becomes our identity we are better. No "leader" of the church, no political power, no depth or height, can ever separate you from the love of God. You are a beloved child of God, marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world. No one can tell you otherwise. I believe you are gifted, talented, and able in more ways than the church will ever know! Go... and do it! Jesus Loves You, and so do I.
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AuthorHusband, Dad, Seminary Student, Hopeful Future Pastor. Learning to lean into God's better perspective. Click to set custom HTML
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Copyright of Jeremy Hallquist © 2018
All views and opinions are my own.
All views and opinions are my own.