Volume 12, Issue 1
Feature Stories
Yes It Is, No It Isn’t
By Rev. Candace Chellew
What we have today is a religion about Jesus — about what we believe about Jesus — and not a religion of Jesus — a religion that takes seriously his life and the commandments he gave to us.
Brighten the Corner Where You Are
By Lori Heine
Following Jesus is not a passive activity. Even the corner of the world closest to us is desperately in need of light. And as GLBT Christians, we especially need to make our light visible — whether the world wants to see it or not.
Those June Gay Lifestyle Expos
By Dr. Robert N. Minor
It wouldn’t be the first time that someone pointed out that Gay Pride Festivals aren’t gay pride festivals any more.
The Ironies of Falwell
By Martin E. Marty
No one did more than he to turn fundamentalism from being “private” religion to being “public.” He did not anticipate or care about the prices paid. No one did more to turn otherworldly fundamentalism to this-worldly and even worldly preoccupations.
All Christians Are Called To Be Activists
By Rev. Dr. Jerry S. Maneker
We are called upon to listen to God’s voice in our hearts to stand for righteousness and fight for others’ dignity and civil and sacramental rights as befit all of God’s children. And this task isn’t designed for wimps!
The Cost of Ignoring the Call
By Wayne McMorris
At fifty years old I thought myself a bit long in the tooth to be getting another call to the clergy. But as you will see, God’s plans don’t always take into consideration your ability (or lack thereof) to think. In my case God’s call sort of reminded me of getting pulled over by the police for speeding.
The God That Failed Me
By John H. Cambpell
It was not the real God, the God of Love that many of us are joyfully aware of that failed. And it was not I who failed. It was my belief, one mostly centered in and borne out of fear, in a concept of God which failed.
Remembering Who We Will Be: The United Church of Christ and LGBT People in 2057
By Harry Knox
Revival. That’s what I’ve been thinking about, dreaming about, as I’ve been remembering who we are — and remembering who we will be in 2057. I envision a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led movement for justice through which we so live into our reputation as an LGBT affirming denomination that we unleash the gifts, creativity, and power of the LGBT Christians among us.
What’s a Straight Guy Like You Doing in Affirming Ministry?
By Rev. Micah Royal
“Why would a straight Bible-believing Christian pastor like you support gay rights and marriage equality?” Well, I am glad you asked.
Rome Sweet Rome
By Levi Rowland
As a gay Catholic, one of the most common things told to me is that I need to “just leave.” This is easy for someone outside my faith to say, but I hold the RCC very dear to me and the idea of being anything else is just horrifying.
Love Is Just Plain Weird
By Lori Heine
This is a strange story. Both those in my long-ago and faraway “straight” life and those in my world today will surely think so. It is a love story. And it recounts the experience that, perhaps more than any other, showed me who I really am.
United Methodist Pastor Speaks of Transgender Experience
By Linda Bloom
A transgender United Methodist pastor has shared his story with other members of the denomination’s Baltimore-Washington Conference in the hopes of promoting a broader discussion about gender identity.
Author Wayne Besen “Bashing Back” with New Book
By Rev. Candace Chellew
Author and activist Wayne Besen’s new book Bashing Back: Wayne Besen on GLBT People, Politics and Culture, offers a powerful defense of secular and progressive values, while unsparingly eviscerating religious charlatans and right wing hypocrites.
Letters to the Editor
From the Pulpit
Route Recalculation
By Rev. Candace Chellew
God wants to lead us on the best path for our lives, but we don’t always follow. So, when we deviate, or simply refuse to go the way God wants us to, God calmly says, “Route recalculation,” — as many times as necessary.
Bible Study
Our Case Goes to God: Job 13
By Rev. Suzie Chamness
In looking at this excerpt from the book of Job, we are reminded that no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable we are in the safe environment of our peaceful lives, we should strive to recall the raw experience of the world as it wounds our souls. It needs inclusion into our feeling, thinking and for caring for the less fortunate.
Holy Humor
The Top 10 Reasons Why the Average Christian Can’t Play Baseball