Reason #4: This is Our Mess to Clean Up
Why come out of the Theological Closet? Because many of us are the ones who created this anti-LGBTQ mess in the church.
This is reason four 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.
Reason #4 - This is Our Mess to Clean Up
At first glance this reason might sound contradictory to what I said in Reason #3 about “not being at fault” for the state of discrimination against LGBTQ people in the church. But there’s a nuance here I don’t want you to miss.
Also it should be noted that this particular reason for coming out (of the theological closet) applies mostly to you pastors and leaders who are straight men. It’s not that I don’t think other kinds of pastors will connect with the following, it’s just that I think… well, you’ll see.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get when I travel or do interviews is something along the lines of, “Colby, why do you do this work? And why did you write UnClobber, since you don’t really have a dog in the fight?”
There’s lots of reasons for that, but one of the main ones can best be illustrated by a story told in the synoptic Gospels of Jesus healing a blind man (or men, as in Matthew) just outside Jericho. I’m particularly interested in the way Luke (ch 18) tells the story.
Here’s the main points.
Jesus and his followers approach Jericho
a blind man on the side of the road hears about it and shouts out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
Then Luke writes, “Those leading the procession scolded him, telling him to be quiet” (this “scolding” of others, done by those who followed Jesus, happened several times throughout the Gospel stories)
Contrary to the directives of the shushers, the blind man proceeds to shout louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Now at this point in the story Matthew writes that Jesus stopped in his tracks and called out to the man, heals him, and moves on. Which is cool, I guess.
But Luke?
Luke writes it like this, “Jesus stopped and called for the man to be brought to him.”
Catch the difference?
Jesus turned to the guys who only moments prior had scolded the man and he said to them, “Hey, you jokers up front, go get him and bring him to me.”
He turned to those who moments ago had acted from a conviction in which they determined the man on the side of the road had no right to Jesus’ attention.
Jesus turned to those who attempted to restrict the marginalized man’s access to the presence of Jesus… and he made it their job to bring the blind man to him.
In short, Jesus said to the men—specifically those who were “leading the way”—
“You built the wall keeping that guy out, now it’s on you to tear it down.”
So to you, fellow Pastors and Leaders (especially those of you who are men and/or white and/or educated, etc), I hope you can hear me when I say: It has been people like us who have been the gatekeepers of access to Jesus.
We have built the theological walls that have decided who’s in and who’s out.
We have led the churches.
We have taught at the seminaries.
We have devised the policies and theologies that are responsible for keeping LGBTQ people on the margins. Shushed. Scolded.
Told (by those “leading the way”) that they are not worthy of our Lord’s time and attention and presence.
Therefore, whether or not you personally have been someone who has built walls to keep LGBTQ people out, you must see that you have been part of a system that most certainly has.
Plus, there’s a good chance you represent some/all of the identity markers of those most responsible for those walls.
Why go public with your affirming beliefs?
Because we made this mess. It’s ours to clean up
May we hear Christ call to us, “Go get them and bring them to me.”
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).
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!
As a queer theologian whose internalized queerphobia and evangelical upbringing led to participation in the very behavior you articulated in this article, this reason is both inspiring as much as it is gut wrenching. I left evangelicalism behind and started exploring queer theology and felt like I was left pastorally adrift. Yes there were progressive denominations but it felt like very few churches or leaders were willing to potentially engage in the development of a minister and theologian that focused on queer and indecent theology for the church.
Perhaps it's the immorality of the LGBQ+ folks why pastors don't accept gay people. Some churches accept gay people but don't want to talk about gay sex or approve gay sex. When is gay sex okay or not okay?