Reason #10: You Won't Believe How Good it Gets

The harvest on the other side of the Theological Closet is plentiful (but the laborers are few).

This is reason ten of ten in my efforts to convince silently affirming pastors, leaders, and influences to come out of the theological closet and be clear in their inclusive theology.

Here’s why I’m writing these.

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Reason # 10 - The Massive Harvest on the Other Side

The final reason I implore you to go public with your affirming theology is perhaps the most self-interested of the group (although to be clear, the previous reason—because the wellbeing of your soul is on the line—should also be fairly self interested one would think).

That being said, it’s a little harder to make the case for this one.

Unlike previous reasons (where the data is clear, or the logic is airtight), this is one of those you’ll-just-have-to-trust-me moments. Well, it’s not just me I’m asking you to trust, it’s the experience of pretty much every other pastor who has walked this road. We all say the same thing. (Similar to Reason #8)

Once you go public, once you get clear with your people about your affirmation of the LGBTQ community, in addition to the fallout of the folks you’ll upset and lose, you will also begin to reap the harvest of those who are now liberated and blessed because of your courage.

And that harvest is plentiful, my friend. Both in quantity and in quality.

I’m not saying you’ll replace the number of people you lost in the process (though you might, some churches have).

I’m not saying you’ll recoup the drop in donations immediately or even relatively soon (though again, some have).

I’m not telling you it’s a one-to-one exchange in any way, nor am I saying you should come out of the theological closet because of the rewarding fruits on the other side.

What I am saying is that you will not believe the experience of what it’s like to be an ally for LGBTQ people. It far surpasses how good you imagine it could be—assuming of course that you do on some level think it will feel good.

Will it alleviate the pain and the loss and the stress of your coming out process?

In the short term, maybe.

In the long run, though?

Abso-freaking-lutely.

Look, this isn’t about becoming a hero or anything like that. No one is going to crown you or award you for being awesome. On some level you’re not doing anything all that remarkable—it’s more like you’re just committing to stopping doing something unhelpful and potentially harmful.

Don’t go public with your beliefs because you’re craving cookies and flowers. That’s kinda selfish and insincere (although if given the option between the two—selfishly going public versus fearfully remaining quiet—I still vote for the former).

But if it helps…

if it pushes you just a little bit more toward being clear on your beliefs…

if it adds one more (positive!) dimension that can aid you in navigating this understandably complex, difficult, and nuanced situation…

then great!

Let it.

Knowing that there are future positive rewards for doing the right thing (in addition to all the ways you’ll feel better about yourself for doing the right thing), is a good and reasonable calculus.

Why go public with your affirming beliefs?

Because you’ll experience the amazing fruits that come with being an ally, of advocating for the marginalized, of being a safe person (and creating safe belonging) for vulnerable people.

And that fruit is really, really good.

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What do you think?

Does this reason have merit? Do you agree with it? Why/why not?

What would you add to this?

Feel free to share publicly (via comments) or privately (via sending me a message).

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Help Spread the Word

If you’re like me, and you believe more people need to come out of the theological closet and be clear and public in their affirmation of LGBTQ people, then help spread the word by sharing this article either directly by emailing your people, and/or posting on social media about it.

Let’s get this in front of the eyes that need to see it!