Comments | bonnie_halfelvn: The Discussion, Part 1A

bonnie_halfelvn

The Discussion, Part 1A

Feb 05, 2011 21:45

This past Tuesday was supposed to be our first gathering to talk about homosexuality and the Church. But the weather was so bad, only the pastor, a friend whom I had picked up, and I showed up (I live 5 minutes away, and my friend could walk there if he was in better health.) We talked about various arguments that I have had thrown at me by ( Read more... )

lgbt, the discussion, gay issues, church, christian life

Comments 4

audreyscastle February 6 2011, 02:48:51 UTC

Your pastor sounds pretty cool!

bonnie_halfelvn February 6 2011, 03:25:21 UTC

My pastor is very cool. A progressive in a very conservative area.

barbaragail February 6 2011, 04:12:15 UTC

That is awesome! Do you mind me asking what denomination the church is?

bonnie_halfelvn February 6 2011, 12:34:09 UTC

It's United Methodist. The official position is not too gay-friendly: Membership is at the discretion of the pastor. No openly gay people as clergy or in any leadership position. And of course, no clergy presiding over a same sex marriage.

The change has to come from within the ranks. A pastor performed a same-sex marriage in Washingon DC where it's legal. Now she's on trial (church trial). A pastor came out as trans in Washington state, and the congregation accepted him. Reconciling Ministries is the name of the group within the Methodist Church that is trying to make it more welcoming to lgbt folk.