I Am What I Am

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:10, NRSV]

There is a strange notion in some Christian circles that we need to be perfect. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, we're all a bit of a mess! Martin Luther, a church theologian who definitely thought outside of the box, said that we are "simultaneously saint and sinner." By this he meant that we are a mixture of good and bad, triumphs and struggles. Nobody is all good or all bad. We're a jumbled mix of both.

Armed with this truth, it is important that we do not totally demonize those who try to speak out against LGBT Christians. I know it's hard to do, but we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us [Jesus' words, not mine! See Matthew 5:43-44]. We are called to see the good that is inside of them, even though it is sometimes hard to do.

Martin Luther King Jr. [the other Luther] once said that "love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." I believe King knew what he was talking about. And so we are challenged to love those who try to put us down in order that they might be transformed by God's love.

The flip side of this equation, however, is that we should NEVER remain silent when someone says we are going to hell simply because of our sexual identity. We are baptized children of God, just like they are. God's grace towards us has NOT been in vain and we claim our place at table with no apologies or reservations. We will love our enemies, but we will NOT allow ourselves to become spiritual doormats.

How are you feeling today? Think about those who have persecuted you in the past and pray that God will to heal their spiritual blindness and fill their hearts with love.

No Longer An Outsider

That’s plain enough, isn't it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all -- irrespective of how we got here -- in what he is building. [Ephesians 2:19, from Eugene Peterson's The Message]

I spent approximately twelve years of my life praying daily for God to change me. I knew I was gay and had known this since I was a little kid. However, I was also told by well meaning Christians that this was not O.K. and that if I prayed long enough and sincere enough, God would change me.

Guess what? I prayed long enough and sincere enough...but nothing happened. In fact, it only made me feel depressed and exhausted. Finally, I considered the possibility that God's silence was my answer. Slowly, over time, I began to realize that my being gay was not an issue with God. It was only an issue with some Christians. I no longer felt like a stranger or an exile. I was fully embraced by God and had a spiritual home! Soon, my depression and exhaustion were replaced with God's peace and joy. Although I still have bad days every once in a while, where bigoted and fearful Christians try to make me feel like an outsider, I don't listen to them for long. I know I belong in the church with as much right to the name Christian as anyone!

What about you? Has anyone ever made you feel like an outsider? Unworthy of God's love? DON'T LISTEN TO THEM! They are wrong. The kingdom of faith is your "home country." Claim your turf and don't let any one try to serve you an eviction notice!

Perseverance

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." [Hebrews 12:1, NRSV]

Perseverance is a character trait we should all strive to possess. It can make the difference between overcoming the obstacles of this life or being overcome by them. Marie Curie, the famous French physicist, once said "Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have PERSEVERANCE and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

Both church and society have sent the message to the LGBT community that we are somehow less than equal to our straight counterparts. Our gifts have been downplayed and rejected. We've been taunted, gay bashed and even told we deserve to be put to death. In this kind of harsh living environment is it surprising that a number of folks in the LGBT community are self-destructive? Is it surprising that we deny our giftedness and hide it from the rest of the world?

The time has come for all our LGBT lights to shine. We need to persevere in using all of our gifts in the fight toward equality. We need to keep our eyes focused on the true God who loves us "just as we are" and sees us as God's beloved children. If my advocacy work for LGBT equality has taught me anything, it is that perseverance may be our best tool as we run the race. If we love relentlessly, if we use our gifts persistently, we will be victorious.  Just look at what happened in the ELCA this year.  We made a big leap forward in allowing churches to call pastors who are in committed same sex relationships.  This afternoon I applied for health benefits for my spouse and they're going to give them to us.  WOW!  No one I spoke to on the phone at Board of Pensions even hesitated for a second.  One lady I spoke with was even excited because I was the first pastor she had spoken with to ask for these benefits.  Amazing!

We must not give up hope and persevere in our fight for justice for all God's LGBT children. It's going to happen. Believe it!  Change is coming my brothers and sisters.

The Closet

What a sweet little film.  Enjoy!

Compassion Knows No Bounds

"Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." [Luke 10:36-37, NRSV]

Kathleen Norris, in her delightful book "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith," shares the following story while trying to come up with a definition for the word "neighbor"....

"I recently read in a friend's sermon a story of a Croatian of Serbian descent, a Christian who was in charge of managing refugee resettlement for a part of Croatia. Working on plans to rebuild a Muslim village that had been totally destroyed in the war, the man found, to his surprise, that no mosque had been included. When he inquired about it, the mayor told him he had assumed that Christian organizations would not be willing to help fund the rebuilding of a mosque. The relief worker replied that it was because they were followers of Jesus Christ that they would help rebuild it. 'Jesus told a story about a good Samaritan,' he said, 'who helped his neighbor without asking him about his theology.'"

When reading the full story of the Good Samaritan, one can't help but notice that the easy way to go through life is to "pass by on the other side." Compassion is risky work. It calls us to move out of our comfort zones. Samaritans were despised by the Jews of Jesus day because they were considered to be "half-breeds" whose bloodlines had been corrupted by their Jewish ancestor's marrying Gentiles. They were also largely viewed by the religious establishment as heretics. Since the true worship of God had been compromised by the Gentile side of their ancestry.

In our day and age it often feels like many Christians see their LGBT brothers and sisters as Samaritans. They see our faith as suspect at best and spiritually bankrupt at worst. I have often been told [and I'm sure you've heard it many times as well] that one cannot be gay and Christian at the same time. Perhaps we can begin to change the minds of those who see us as "half-breeds" to the faith by following the example of the Samaritan in the parable. If we can be known as people of extraordinary compassion, there is no way our nay-sayers can continue to convince the general public that we are godless heathens.

Discovering Our Gifts in Community

"In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. [Romans 11:4-6, The Message]

Paul reminds us in Romans 11 that we're connected to one another and discover our gifts only when we're in community with each other. I chose The Message's translation of this text because it breathes new life into this well-known text and clarifies its meaning. [Read the NRSV for a comparison].

What I get from Paul's wisdom is that each of us has gifts [See vs. 7-8] but we truly only discover those gifts when we are living out our faith in a community of believers. I think this is true whether you're gay, straight or somewhere in-between. The community of faith, when it is healthy, is there to love us, encourage us and help us to discover what we do best. There is nothing more wonderful than a church who lifts up and develops the talents of all its members including the LGBT ones. This is the reason why I think it is imperative for LGBT Christians to find a church that loves them unconditionally and welcomes them as full participating members. These prophetic churches are out there, and the number is growing! [Check out the links to "gaychurch.org" and "Welcoming Churches" on the bar to the right.]

I am so grateful to find a church that not only values my gifts but also trusts me to be their pastor. As we live, work and serve together, they have been my greatest teachers and encouragers. I hope and pray I do the same for them. Take the time to discover your God-given gifts and find a church that will let you use them. It will be one of the most rewarding and life-affirming things you can do as a queer person of faith.

Body Worship

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." [Romans 12:1, NRSV]

In gay culture there is definitely a lot of body worship going on. Some gay men spend countless hours in the gym, taking supplements and dieting until they hone their frames to absolute perfection. While these gym bunnies are beautiful to behold, there has to be more to life than six pack abs and bulging biceps.

Paul tells us in Romans that our bodies are supposed to be "living sacrifices." In other words, the most powerful way we worship God is not on Sunday morning when we sit in a pew but during the rest of the week when our feet hit the street. Eugene Peterson's The Message translates this verse with striking clarity: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering."

The challenge for LGBT people of faith is that we need to take the risk of becoming more visible in our community and in our world. Being Christian AND gay is not an easy task, especially since there are so many "haters" out there who are quick to judge us before they get to know us and hear the story of how God is working and moving in our lives.

One of the reasons why I do this blog is to make sure there's another gay Christian voice out there that's telling our story. I am also out in the congregation I serve as well as the hospital I work in. It has definitely cost me moving up the "ladder of success" as far as moving on to bigger and "better" churches. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know I'm right where God wants me and will continue to be the voice of someone who is madly in love with Jesus but is also gay.

What will you do this week to be a "living sacrifice" at work, at school, in your community or in the world? Don't be afraid. Let your rainbow light shine!!

Standing on the Rock

"Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug." [Isaiah 51:1, NRSV]

These words are a part of the writings known as Second Isaiah. They were written during the time of Israel's exile in Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE. The people Isaiah was writing to were living in desperate times. Times that were filled with hardship and struggle. Times that tested their faith and made them wonder whether they would ever see their homeland again.

To these desperate people, Isaiah offered a word of encouragement and hope; a word that would help to sustain them through whatever dark times lie ahead. He told them to remember their ancestors, both literal and spiritual. Remember the stories of the people of faith that got us where we are. Remember how they persevered through difficult times and draw inspiration and strength from their example.

Perhaps one of the reasons why the LGBT community has such a weak spiritual base is because LGBT spirituality is relatively a new thing. Not too long ago there wasn't such a thing as a "queer theologian." Not too long ago there was not blogs such as mine. The only message we received was that we were going to hell. There weren't many gay spirtual rocks to look back on. There were not many out examples for us to follow.

Fortunately, that is beginning to change. Two of my favorite queer spiritual rocks are Mel White and Gene Robinson. Rev. Mel White works with Soulforce, a wonderful organization dedicated to the eradication of spiritual violence against LGBT people. I've met Mel on several occasions and found him to be a humble but strong spirit. He wrote "Stranger at the Gate" which was a very important book for me. His spiritual coming out story is powerful and inspiring. I also received non-violent resistance training from Soulforce which has been an invaluable tool in my advocacy work for a number of oppressed minorities.

Rev. Gene Robinson, of course, is the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop. I had the fortunate opportunity to have lunch with him while he was in Asheville and found him to be smart, funny and humble.  I can see why the people he serves elected him as bishop.  I admire the sacrifices he had made to advance LGBT equality in the church.

Who are our spiritual rocks? If we don't have one, it's time to seek one out. They don't have to be national figures. They can be a local pastor or person of faith who constantly reminds you that God loves God's LGBT children and you are precious and holy in his sight. It's essential that we, as a community, begin to form a bedrock of queer spirituality that we can all build on. Our health and wellness depends upon it.

Perhaps a good place to start is the documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So." It profiles a number of GLBT spiritual rocks and tells their story well. Check it out and, whatever we do, let us see out those LGBT spiritual elders who can be our rock when we are facing difficult times.

Sunday Sermon - Ascension

ASCENSION SUNDAY                              Luke 24:44-53                                             David Eck

5/16/10

I.  Jesus said, "See, I am sending upon you

---What my Father promised;

---Stay here in the city

---Until you have been clothed

---With power from on high."     [Luke 24:49]

Each and every one one of us in this room

---Yearns to feel God's power

---Working in and through our lives.

Each and every one of us in this room

---Desires to be Spirit led;

---To have a Holy GPS system that will help us

---To navigate the twists and turns of life.

Each and every one of us in this room

---Longs to be "clothed with power from on high,"

---Just like those first disciples.

Every once in a while,

---We get a glimpse of this wonder-working power:

An illness we've been battling

---Is finally healed.

A confusion we've had in our minds

---Suddenly becomes crystal clear.

A financial crisis we've been facing

---Is lessened because of an unexpected check

---That comes in the mail.

A sign we've been praying for

---Appears in bright neon colors,

---Leaving no doubt what we need to do next.

Each and every one of us in this room

---Longs to be "clothed with power from on high,"

---Just like those first disciples.

But before this power can come to us

---There is a time of waiting,

---And we don't like waiting!

We don't like the anxious, expectant times

---Between crisis and resolution,

---Between panic and peace,

---Between prayers sent and prayer answered.

We want to be "clothed with power from on high"

---But we want it now,

---Right this instant.

---No waiting in the check out line.

---No "please take a number

---And we'll get to you when it's your turn."

We all want to be "clothed with power from on high."

---But until it comes,

---The waiting can be excruciating.

---Those of us who have had to endure difficult life circumstances

---Know exactly what I'm talking about!

The period of waiting for answers to prayer,

---For doors to open, or for empowerment to arrive

---Can seem like an eternity.

II. This brings us to our gospel lesson

---Where the disciples enter into a time of waiting.

It marks the beginning of a time of transition in their lives

---Between having the presence of the resurrected Jesus with them

---And receiving the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

This story is unique to Luke who tells it twice.

---The first time is at the end of his gospel.

The second time is in the first chapter of Acts

---Where be begins the sequel to his gospel

---By recapping the ending of the first.

For modern believers the story of Jesus' Ascension

---Is a strange story indeed.

However, I would argue that once we understand

---What Luke is trying to tell us,

---The story of Jesus' Ascension speaks powerfully

---To those of us who find ourselves in times of waiting and transition.

So let's explore this story in greater detail

---And see what wisdom is has to offer us.

III.  We begin with verse 49 where Jesus says

---"See, I am sending upon you what my Father promised;

---Stay here in the city until you have been clothed

---With power from on high." 

After Jesus says this, he leads the disciples

---From the house where they were staying in Jerusalem

----Out into the hill country of Bethany.

Bethany was a village on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives,

---About 2 miles east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho.

The name means "house of dates" and comes from

---The number of palm trees which grow there.

When they reach Bethany,

---Jesus lifts up his hands and blessed his disciples.

Then Luke tells us that

--"While he was blessing them, Jesus withdrew from them

---And was carried up into heaven."     [Lk 24:51]

What this means from a literal perspective,

---We will never know for sure.

---We call this the "ascension"

---But what does that mean?

Did Jesus ride the holy elevator

---Or perhaps climbed Jacob's ladder

---From the flat earth, up though the sky

---Until he reached the top of the dome

---And made his way into heaven?

This is what first century people

---Would have thought had happened

---Since this is the way they viewed the world:

---A three tiered universe with the waters of the deep

---Or Sheol below us,

---A flat earth in the middle,

---And the dome of heaven above.

But ever since the time of Galileo,

---We have understood the universe

---In a very different way.

Therefore, this description of Jesus' ascension

---Seems antiquated at best and a flight of fancy at worst.

Was Jesus beamed up by God

---Like James Kirk in Star trek?

---Or did he float out into space

---Past the known universe

---To some unknown dimension

---We sometimes call "heaven"?

What exactly is Luke trying to tell us

---As he describes the Ascension of Jesus?

IV. John Shelby Spong thinks that Luke

---Wrapped the story of the prophet Elijah around Jesus

---In order to say something powerful

---About what happened to Jesus after his resurrection.

If we know the story of Elijah well,

---The connections between these two tales are rather surprising.

---It leads me to believe that Bishop Spong is correct.

So let me share a portion of Elijah's story with you

---And see what you think.

Elijah was the greatest prophet Israel had ever known.

---2 Kings 2 tells a story about the prophet that sounds strikingly similar

---To what is being said about Jesus in our gospel lesson for today.

Elijah and his protégé Elisha left the city of Gilgal

---And went out into the hill country of Bethel.

As they journeyed Elijah spoke to Elisha

---And tried to prepare him for what was about to happen

Two times he said to Elisha

---"Do you know that today the LORD

---Will take your master away from you?"

---And Elisha said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."      [2 Kings 2:3, 5]

Elijah and Elisha then arrived

---At the barrier of the Jordan River.

---In a scene reminiscent of Moses and the Red Sea

---Elijah removed his cloak and struck the water with it. 

---The waters parted and the two walked through on dry land.  

When they had crossed the river, Elijah said to Elisha, 

---"Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you."

Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit."     [2 Kings 2:9]

Elijah responded, "You have asked a hard thing;

---Yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you,

---It will be granted ."      [2 Kings 2:10]

Then there appeared "a chariot of fire and horses of fire"

---That separated the two of them.

---Elijah was then transported up to heaven

---On a whirlwind, a mighty rushing wind,

---Never to be seen again in the Hebrew Scriptures.

After Elijah's ascension, Elisha received

---A double portion of Elijah's spirit.

---He returned to the Jordan River

---And parted the waters just like Elijah did.

Elisha then went on to become a mighty prophet

---To the nation of Israel.

IV.  Sound familiar?  It should

---Jesus and his disciples left the city of Jerusalem

---And went into the hill country of Bethany.

Earlier, Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples

---For what was about to happen to him.

We see this especially reflected in the gospel of John

---Who picked up Luke's narrative and ran with it:

---"I will be with you a little while longer,

---And then I am going to him who sent me.

---You will search for me, but you will not find me; 

---And where I am, you cannot come."      [Jn 7:33-34]

He also told them what to expect after he had departed:

---"See, I am sending upon you what my Father promised;

---So stay here in the city

---Until you have been clothed with power from on high."     [Lk 24:49]

Jesus then ascended into heaven

---And the chariot of fire and whirlwind from Elijah's story

---Were carried over into the Pentecost story

---Where the disciples received their power

---With "the rush of a violent wind"

---And "divided tongues, as of fire."     [Acts 2:2-3]

Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit,

---The disciples went out into the world

---Spreading the good news of Jesus.

Are these connections a coincidence?  Hardly!

V.  I believe Luke wrapped the story of Elijah around Jesus

---Because he was trying to say something powerful

---About the Jesus the church experienced

---After he left his earthly form

---And ascended into the spiritual realm.

Elisha received a double portion of Elijah's spirit

---After Elijah ascended into heaven.

---The disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit

---After Jesus ascended into heaven:

A power that is a thousand times greater

---Than that received by Elisha;

A power that was poured out on many, not just one;

A power that continues to be felt and experienced

---By followers of Jesus to this very day.

Friends in Christ, the Ascension of Jesus is an important story

---In the life of the Church.

---It is not old and antiquated.

---It speaks of a Jesus who had to transcend

---The boundaries of his physical form

---In order that we would receive "power from on high"

The ascension of Jesus is that moment

---Of his entry into a new realm

---In which he would bring his purpose 

---To a new fulfillment,

---Breaking its limitations and thus,

---Making his Spirit power available

---To all who call on his name.

This is what Luke was trying to tell us

---By the way he wrote the ascension story.

Those of us with ears to hear and eyes to see

---Will recognize that this is good news, indeed!

VI.  So what do we learn from today's gospel lesson?

I hope it is the good news that

---The power of the Holy Spirit is available to all of us

---To guide, to heal, to encourage, to strengthen.

However, we do not always receive this power instantaneously.

---Sometimes we have to endure whirlwinds and fires

---Before we receive a double portion of God's Spirit.

Sometimes we have to wait

---Until we are "clothed with power from on high"

---Just like those first disciples

It's not easy to wait

---But we are sometimes called to wait nonetheless

---Knowing that Jesus will help us to ascend

---The trials and tribulations of life

So wait patiently, pray expectantly

---And trust that the Ascended Christ

---Will fill us richly with the power of the Holy Spirit

---In order that we may ascend whatever challenges or roadblocks

---We are currently facing.

AMEN

Walking on Water

So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" [Matt 14:29b-31, NRSV]

The story of Peter walking on the water is an interesting one. I've heard lots of sermons on it where Peter is chastised for his lack of faith. However, if we look at this story closely Peter actually had a moment of brilliance. He was walking on water while the other chicken disciples stayed in the boat! You go, Peter!

I've always loved Peter because he is a "real" disciple. At one moment he's full of insight and enthusiasm. In the next moment he's sticking his foot in his mouth. Isn't that the true nature of faith?

Frederick Buechener once described faith as follows: "Faith is better understood as a verb than a noun, as a process than a possession. It is on-again-off-again rather than once-and-for-all. Faith is not being sure where you're going but going anyway. A journey without maps." [from Wishful Thinking]

As someone who has endured many storms in my life, I can relate to Peter's kind of faith. Like Peter, I have moments where I trust God completely and God is able to do miraculous things with me and through me. Then, my gaze wanders toward the waves and I begin to sink. The good news of this story from Matthew is that it doesn't matter what kind of faith we have. Jesus has got our backs and will pull us out of the storm when we are sinking. [Notice the word "immediately" in the story. Jesus only talks to Peter about his "little faith" once he is back in the safety of the boat.]

And so, my queer brothers and sisters, remember that Jesus is with us whether we're walking on water or sinking down into the waves. True faith is not all about us. It's about a Savior whose love and faithfulness toward is is strong and true and lasting.

From Violence to Compassion

"Herod sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to Herodias, who brought it to her mother. Jesus' disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus. Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick." [Matt 14:10-14, NRSV]

Jesus was the victim of violence. His best friend and relative, John the Baptist, was beheaded in order to cover up Herod's sin of adultery and his wandering, lustful eye. When Jesus heard the news of John's death, he did what most of us do when violence rears its ugly head in our lives: he withdrew to a "deserted place" in order to grieve, to vent, to pray and to stare blankly out into space for a while.

The interesting thing to note is that Jesus did not stay in this solitary place forever. His compassion drew him back out into our violent world where he became a source of healing for others. The story ends with the biggest miracle Jesus ever performed...the feeding of the five thousand. [Take the time to read the narrative beginning at Matt 14:1].

What I take from this story is that violence happens to everyone. We try to isolate ourselves from it, but at some point or another violence will effect our lives. This is especially true of the LGBT community. It might be the violence of hate speech or being bullied in school. It might be the violence of a hate crime or vandalism to our personal property. But make no mistake about it, violence will enter our lives at one point or another.

When we become victims of violence our natural inclination is to retreat. This is healthy up to a point as we "circle the wagons" in order to feel safe, to find support and to grieve the loss. However, we cannot remain in a "deserted place" forever. At some point we will need to reenter our violent world and live in it once again.

The question we will need to ask ourselves at this point in the journey is whether we want to become a part of the solution or a part of the problem. Will we combat the violence of our world with more violence OR will our compassion call us to love the unloved, to heal the abused and to feed those who hunger in body, mind and spirit? It may well be the most important choice we will make in our lives.

The Greatest Treasure

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys the field." [Matt 13:44, NRSV]

Although the man's actions in the parable are a bit questionable, the main point of the story is abundantly clear: God is the greatest treasure we will ever possess. It's worth sacrificing everything we have to obtain it.

This leads us all to reflect on one question: How valuable is God to us? Is God the one we pay attention to after everything else on our "to do" list is accomplished? Is God the one we worship on Christmas and Easter but largely ignore the rest of the year? Is God the love of our lives or do we lust after many things?

Since the LGBT community has been treated so poorly but a number of well intentioned believers, it's not surprising that many of us are victims of spiritual violence and abuse. We've been beaten down by hateful speech from both pulpit and pew. We've been told we are not worthy of God's love. We've been thrown out of churches and excommunicated from positions of pastoral leadership.

With such spiritual violence surrounding us, it's easy to equate hateful people with a vision of a hateful God. The healing of our community lies in our ability to separate God from God's followers. People may commit acts of spiritual violence against us, but we must hold to a vision of a God who loves his LGBT children.

Some one once said that "if God had a refrigerator, our picture would be on it." Let us embrace a God who is the greatest treasure we could ever possess and who treasures a relationship with us above all else.

Asheville Rally in Response to Alleged Attacks on Gays

Click HERE to see the article that appeared this morning in the Asheville newspaper.  If you're local, the rally is set for next Wednesday, 6pm.  I wish I could be there, however, I'm working the night shift at the hospital that evening.  I will be praying for everyone who attends the rally.  Asheville has always been a safe city for the LGBT community.  We need to keep a close eye on this!

Brad Schmeling Reinstated!

ATLANTA (AP) — A gay Atlanta pastor and his partner who have been at the center of a battle over the treatment of gay clergy by the nation's largest Lutheran denomination are being reinstated to the denomination's clergy roster, church officials announced Tuesday.

The Rev. Bradley Schmeling and his partner, the Rev. Darin Easler, have been approved for reinstatement, the Chicago-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said in a news release. The approval came roughly eight months after the denomination voted to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy, and just weeks after the ELCA's church council officially revised the church's policy on gay ministers.

Schmeling, who serves as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta, was removed from the church's clergy roster in 2007 for being in a same-sex relationship with Easler. A disciplinary committee ruled that Schmeling was violating an ELCA policy regarding the sexual conduct of pastors.

"I'm grateful that this journey has come full circle and that the church has changed its policy," Schmeling said Tuesday.


"I think the church saw the gifts and the abilities of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and saw that the spirit was calling them into ministry and wanted to create a way for people to serve," he said.

The reinstatement will become effective "once the paperwork has been filed," which should happen in the coming days or weeks, he said.

At their biennial national convention in August, ELCA leaders called for revisions to ministry policy documents, making it possible for "eligible Lutherans in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships" to serve as clergy, the church said in the statement. The ELCA Church Council adopted those revisions April 10.

The candidacy committee of the ELCA Southeastern Synod in Atlanta met two weeks later and approved Schmeling's request for reinstatement.

Even though Schmeling had been removed from the ELCA clergy roster, he remained pastor at St. John's, putting the church in violation of ELCA guidelines, said the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod.

"There are people in our church that believe that pastors in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships should not serve as pastors in this church," Gordy said in the church statement. "But the assembly said that while we were not in agreement on this, congregations could call persons in such relationship to serve as pastors, and St. John has chosen to do this."

Despite the opposition from some to the change in church policy, "I believe that we will learn to live in this new reality," Gordy said.

"This congregation has always been clear in its affirmation and support of our relationship," Schmeling said. "When I told them that I had met my partner for life, they threw us a party. When they heard that we were both reinstated to the clergy roster, there was a spontaneous standing ovation in church on Sunday."

Ann Gerondelis, 51, who has attended St. John's since 1981, said the congregation never saw Schmeling any differently after he was removed from the clergy roll, but they were still thrilled to hear he would be reinstated.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the ELCA at this time," she said. "The ELCA has now shown it is committed to unity. ... We're bound together with people who may not see things the same way we do but that's an important part of our journey."

Easler said he left United Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, Minn., in 2003 because he disagreed with the church's policy and also because he wanted to minister to people in a hospital and hospice setting. He and Schmeling met at a church conference in Minnesota in 2004, and he moved to Atlanta to be with Schmeling the following year.

Easler was removed from the clergy roster in 2006 after having been without a parish for three years, the church said in a statement. He transferred to the United Church of Christ, which is a full communion partner of the ELCA, and worked in hospice care as a bereavement coordinator.

He recently applied to the candidacy committee of the ELCA's Southeastern Minnesota Synod in Rochester and was approved April 30. He plans to continue his hospice work under the auspices of the ELCA.

"I just feel so grateful to be able to come back to my church home and church family, and I'm grateful to be able to share with the church both my love and my gifts for ministry but also the love for my partner," Easler said.

Schmeling said the reinstatement is good news for others as well.

"I'm happy for the many people who always hoped to be ordained as pastors now have an open pathway before them," he said.

Sunday Sermon - St. Peter's BBQ

5 EASTER C                              John 13:31-35, Acts 10-11                               David Eck

5/02/10

St. Peter's BBQ

I.  Friends in Christ, I'd like to tell you a story

---It's called "St. Peter's BBQ."

Once upon a time there was a man named Simon.

---Jesus called him Petros or Peter,

---"The Rock" upon which the church was built.     [Mt 16:18]

---His friends called him "Rocky,"

---Because sometimes he acted like he had rocks for brains!

Peter was both insightful and impulsive,

---Which is a terrible combination.

---In the South we would say that he was

---Smart as a whip one moment,

---And then dumb as a post in the next!

But Jesus saw something in Peter

---That not everyone else saw.

---Jesus loved Peter.

---Jesus believed in him.

---Jesus told Peter to feed God's lambs.       [Jn 21:15]

---And feed them, he did!

Today's story is about one such feeding.

---It's a story that is filled with scandal and differences of opinion.

---It's a story that changed the face of the church forever.

Furthermore, it leaves no doubt that Jesus was right.

---Peter was more Rock than Rocky.

---He was, indeed, smart as a whip!

---So let's get started!

II. Our story begins when Peter got himself

---Into hot water with his friends in Jerusalem.

---They were mad because they heard that Peter

---Was slumming it with Gentiles in Caesarea.

---He stayed in their house, ate their food,

---And even baptized the whole lot of them.

---What was he thinking?

You see, some of his friends thought

---That only Jews could be followers of Jesus.

---If the Gentiles wanted to become disciples

---They would have to become Jews first

---And put aside their heathen ways.

After all, there are rules to be followed,

---And protocols to be obeyed.

---The Scriptures are quite clear.

We can't just let any old riff-raff become followers of Jesus, can we?

---We have standards to uphold!

---Some are "in."  Some are definitely "out."

It appears that "Rocky" is living up to his nickname.

---He's got some explaining to do!

III. So Peter went to Jerusalem to face his friends

---And defend his actions.

"It was around noon," Peter began,

---"I was praying when the wildest thing happened.

---I feel into some sort of trance and saw a vision."

"A vision, Rocky?  Really?" his friends countered.

---"Are you sure it wasn't the wine talking?

---Or maybe your overactive imagination?"

"Come on, guys, cut me some slack." Peter shot back.

---"I'm being serious here.

---I've never had anything like this happen to me before.

---So be quiet and listen to what I have to say."

His friends settled down in their seats.  Peter continued:

---"Like I said, I was in a deep state of prayer.

---Suddenly I saw a giant red and white checkered tablecloth

---Being lowered from heaven.  I kid you not!

---It was like the ones you use at a picnic.

All four corners of the tablecloth were suspended in the air

---As if they were being held up by angels.

---The tablecloth was jam packed with food."

"Sounds to me like your stomach was doing the talking,"

---One of his friends said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I know. I've got quite an appetite," Peter replied with a smile.

---"But wait 'til you hear what was in it.

---It was disgusting.  Oy vey!  Not a kosher thing in it!

---It was a heathen picnic basket delight, filled with

---Pulled pork, ostrich burgers, grilled shrimp, crab cakes, 

---And smoked rattlesnake, which I know they say tastes like chicken,

---But I was NOT going to eat it.

---It was absolutely appalling!"

"Yuck" his friends said.  "That's not a dream.  That's a nightmare!"

"Exactly!" Peter responded.  "So I had a conversation with God about it.

---And I said 'God, what's up with this nasty barbecue?

---I can't eat this stuff.  Remember, I'm Jewish.   

---I've NEVER eaten this stuff.

Couldn't you have picked a more culturally appropriate menu?

---After all, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

---You SHOULD know how to cook for your people.' "

IV. Peter's friends roared with laughter.  Then, as the laughter subsided,

---Peter changed his tone and was dead serious.

---"You'll never believe what God said to me.

---God said, 'What God has made clean, you must not profane.

---Lunch is served.'

God told me this three times

---To make sure that I remembered what was said:

---'What God has made clean, you must not profane.

---What GOD made clean, YOU must not profane.

---What GOD has made CLEAN, YOU must NOT profane.'

Then as I pondered what God meant by this strange vision,

---The checkered tablecloth closed in on itself

---And disappeared from sight.

---The whole thing left me stratchin' my noggin'."

"Strange, indeed," Peter's friend's echoed in reply.

---"But what does this have to do with the fact

---That you were hanging out with a bunch of heathens?"

Peter's friends started to grumble amongst themselves,

---Discussing the possible meaning of the strange vision

---Peter had shared with them.

Peter let the conversation continue for a while

---But, after a few minutes, Peter raised his hand to speak.

---The crowd became silent:

---"Let me finish the story," Peter said,

---"Then, perhaps all of this will make sense to you."

IV. "After the vision ended, three men from Caesarea

---Came knocking on Simon the tanner's door, asking for me.

---You know Simon, he has that wonderful seaside house in Joppa      [Acts 10:6]

---That I love so much.  Very relaxing.

Anyway, they had been sent by an officer in the Italian Guard,

---A Gentile named Cornelius,

---Whom they said was a good man who worshipped God

---And gave generously to the poor.       [Acts 10:1]

They told me that several days earlier Cornelius had a vision.

---In his vision an angel came to him and told him to contact me.

---I had a message through which his entire family would be saved."

"A Gentile seeing angels?"  Peter's friends gasped.

---"What is this world coming to?  Peter, this is crazy!"

"I know, I know" Peter responded.  "But after the vision I had

---I felt the Spirit telling me to go with these three men

---Without asking any questions or making a fuss.

---So I invited them in and gave them lodging for the night."       [Acts 10:23]

"Well, that was your first mistake," a friend of Peter's yelled.

---"It was all downhill from there."

"No, it wasn't 'all downhill' at all." Peter said.

---"In fact, it was the beginning of something new, something revolutionary,

---That is going to change the followers of Jesus forever.  Let me continue."

"The next day I traveled with these three men to Cornelius' house.

---When I arrived there, the welcome I received was overwhelming.  

Cornelius fell at my feet and started to worship me.

---That's something that doesn't happen very often!

I was a bit dumbfounded but reacted quickly.

---I took him by the hand and told him to stand up

---So that we could greet each other face to face.

---'Sir,' I said, 'There's no need for that.

---I'm a man and only a man, no different from you.'      [Acts 10:26]

He smiled and said to me, 'Thank you for coming.

---I'm honored to have you at my house.'

V. Then Cornelius took me inside

---And introduced me to everyone who had gathered.

---His relatives and friends were there.  The place was packed.     [Acts 10:24]

---Everyone was eager to hear what I had to say.

As I began my introductory remarks, it dawned on me

---What that strange vision in Joppa was all about

---And why God had brought me to this household.

So I told the crowd: 'Everyone here knows that I'm a Jew.

---According to the laws of my people,

---I'm not supposed to be socializing with Gentiles.

---It's forbidden.     [Acts 10:28]

But here I am, and here you are.

---And I want you to know that God has shown me

---That we are all God's children.  

---I will not call you profane or unclean.       [Acts 10:28]

---You are all my brothers and sisters.'

After I said this, a thunderous applause arose

---From the gathered people.

---There were no walls or barriers between the Jews and Gentiles that day.

---God's love had torn them all down.

---We were one people."

"Peter, you can't be be serious." a friend interrupted.

---"I'm a pious Jew and a follower of Jesus.  I just can't go there."

"But you must," Peter replied.  "And we will go even further than that.

---But, first, let me finish my story."

"After the applause died down

---I shared with them the story of Jesus:

---His life, his teachings, his death, his resurrection.

---I ended by saying that everyone who believes in him

---Receives forgiveness of sins and life through his name.     [Acts 10:43]

While I was sharing the good news

---The Holy Spirit tore through that place like a Pentecost brushfire.

---People were singing and praying and praising God.       [Acts 10:44-46]

----It was a miraculous sight to see.

I was so overwhelmed with joy that I invited everyone

---To be baptized on the spot.       [Acts 10:48]

---Every single person in that household came forward!

---My friends, I wish all of you could have been there to see it."

VI. A hush fell over Peter's gathered friends.

---Not a single voice rose to argue with him.

---Seeing that everyone was listening to what he had to say

---Peter, the Rock, not Rocky,

---Brought his thoughts to a close.

"My friends, if God gave those so called 'heathen' Gentiles

---The same gift of the Spirit that God gave us

---When we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,

---Who was I that I could hinder God?       [Acts 11:17]

---Who was I that I would dare call one of God's children

---Profane or unclean?

Friends, I believe we've been doing this all wrong.

---We need to repent.  We've profaned a LOT of people.

We've been putting barriers between others and God

---When we should have been the ones 

---Who were breaking those barriers down.

We're been petty and judgmental,

---Acting like self-righteous Pharisees

---Who follow the letter of the Torah

---But totally miss its spirit.

---It's the kind of stuff that drove Jesus crazy.

Today is a new day.  We are going to do things differently now.

---The good news of Jesus is not just meant for the Jews.

---It is meant for all people in all tribes and all nations.

What God has made clean, we must not profane.

---Do you hear me?

---What God has made clean, we must not profane.

---Let me tell you that one more time.

---What God has made clean, we must not profane."

When Peter finished his story, his friends praised God, saying,

---"Thank you Peter for showing us

---That God intends to invite more people to the BBQ banquet

---Than we could have possibly imagined.

---God is doing a new thing and it is marvelous in our eyes."

THE END

Friends in Christ.  This story speaks to the modern church

---Just as powerfully as it spoke to the early church.

Like Peter and those first disciples

---Each of us has people in our lives

---Whom we label as "profane" or "unclean."

Each of us has prejudices and judgmental attitudes

---That we need to dismantle.

Any time we hear ourselves saying

---"Well, you know how THOSE people are.."

---We've stumbled upon our personal prejudice.

---God, forgive us for our ignorance.

This prejudice is different for everyone.

---For some it might be gays and lesbians.

---For others it might be the homeless,

---Hispanics, African Americans, the poor,

---Or those who belong to a different political party than us.

---God, forgive us of our ignorance.

Thankfully the ELCA, moved beyond a big prejudice this past year

---As it opened the door for full inclusion of our gay and lesbian members.

This is just as big a triumph as when Peter opened the door

---For Gentiles to become disciples of Christ.

But, as we know, not everyone in the ELCA is celebrating this decision.

---There are still those who hold deep seated hatred and misinformed prejudices

---Against our LGBT brothers and sisters in Christ.

---So we still have a lot of work to do

---Before the profaning comes to an end.

Jesus, in our gospel lesson, indicated

---That people will know we are disciples of Christ

---By the way we show love to our neighbors.

"Just as I have loved you," Jesus said, "you should love one another.

---"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,

---If you have love for one another."      [Jn 13:34-35]

Perhaps if we started loving our neighbors more fully

---Instead of judging and categorizing them

---They might actually want to hear what we have to say.

They might actually want to get to know the One

---Who loved us first and gave his life on the cross for us.

What God has called clean we must not profane.

---Let us love all of our neighbors more fully this week

---And try to see everyone we meet as a beloved child of God.

AMEN