We’ve recently concluded a series of town hall meetings at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church has experienced an escalating divide over homosexuality, and this year the fracture of the church has begun in earnest. This was the topic of these meetings.
Good Shepherd’s pastor David Tubbs is clear in his intent to keep our church inclusive and loving for all of God’s children.
I’m a big tent guy. – David Tubbs
That means not only welcoming LGBTQ+ people to church, but doing so with no asterisks. Mission work? Leadership positions? Absolutely.
These town hall meetings were open to all, and many different views, from all over the spectrum, were freely expressed. Nevertheless, with David being clear in his position throughout, true acceptance of gay people was a common topic. We talked about erring on the side of love. We talked about the “outsiders” with whom Jesus spent most of his time. These are recurring themes in David’s sermons.
One meeting that particularly intrigued me had David inviting an old colleague of his to talk about homosexuality and the Bible. Dale Clem broke out a number of interesting points about translation and historical context to cast considerable doubt over what far too many Christians “know” about homosexuality from the Bible. Then, to my great satisfaction, Dale wrapped up his presentation by asking an open question about fidelity with Christ’s greatest commandments. Is Christian condemnation of homosexuality consistent with Christ’s direction to love God and love our neighbor?
I built a bit more enthusiasm than my crass old self should have allowed. I mean, it’s compelling stuff. And for people who have heard and believed their entire lives that “unrepentant” homosexuality is inconsistent with Christianity, it should represent considerable relief, right? Listen! Chains are being loosed. It’s glorious!
Sadly, I didn’t hear any evidence of that. Instead, I heard questions and statements from town hall attendees that simplified to “please help me understand how I can keep my prejudice exactly intact.” There was no relief or other release. There was only “I’m staying in this fortress I’ve known for so long,” with no notice whatsoever paid to the fact that all of the tools necessary to tear the fortress down had been laid out, with full instructions on how to use them.
Since then I’ve been, at some length, chewing on why so many Christians figuratively die on this hill (and I’m speaking broadly now, not just of Good Shepherd). What makes it worth this disproportionate attention? Why is the rhetoric so divisive and antagonistic? At this critical time in the life of the church, why is it homosexuality in the chasm between us?
Despite the longstanding stereotype, I doubt very many of these hardcore dig-inners are repressed gay people (though probably there are some). Rather, I think people might be so inclined to hang onto this prejudice because, consistent with strenuous and consistent condemnation of homosexuality, abstinence from it is perceived as a high-value “good behavior.”
I think it’s uncontroversial to say that for most people, sexuality and gender identity are innate and feel immutable. So, consider cisgender heterosexual Christians who’ve heard all of their lives, explicitly or implicitly, that on the grand spectrum of sin, gayness is a little…extra. Now consider that behaviors common to gay or transgender people are things they can legitimately never imagine themselves doing.
Wouldn’t you want to hang onto that? That’s a lot of “good person” points, right? Moreover, isn’t it’s a potentially valuable yardstick for self-rationalization? “Well, yeah, sure, I told my wife a little white lie this morning. But at least I’m not cheating on her with a man!” “I cut that guy off in traffic. But at least I don’t want to cut my penis off!”
Mind, I’m not suggesting these are express thoughts a lot of people have. But I do find the notion of abstinence from homosexuality being a high-value good behavior intriguing, and I think it’s legitimate to wonder how much it informs some folks’ morals. At least this isn’t that.
As frustrated as I am by the fact that we’re not farther along, I do feel blessed to be here for the conversation. And I believe that standing firmly in the house of the Lord and declaring “unrepentant” LGBTQ+ people to be fully-fledged members of His kingdom is some of the best Christian witnessing any of us can do.
I’m confident Good Shepherd will remain a loving and welcoming place to do so.
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