Tag Archives: lgbtq

If You Cannot Be United, Be Holy

A new moment is here. The die is cast: schism is in full swing, and it will be significant and traumatic in many regions across the connection. It is time that the United Methodist Church decide to stand on a vision of holiness, without hesitating out of the fear of losing people and congregations on the fence. If we’re breaking up, let it be for something; let us welcome this window of opportunity to allow Methodists with incompatible visions of holiness to go our separate ways. What is unsustainable is the status quo for the post-separation United Methodist Church, even in the very near term.

A Queer Methodist Tradition

The groups against LGBTQIA+ people in the United Methodist Church call themselves “traditional.” To start out with, tradition is not a monolith. Tradition is not a singular or consistent concept. Traditions evolve and develop and are not static. Likewise, there is ample evidence for a queer-affirming Methodist tradition—that even originates with Methodism’s founder, John WesleyContinue reading “A Queer Methodist Tradition”

Hebrews 4:1-7: Radicalizing Ordinary Time

The bliss of summer and ease of demand has come and gone along with ordinary time. Because of its length and placement in the year, ordinary time stretches on just as simply as its name implies: ordinarily. The sun beats down on the long days as the summer drags on and on. Pastors preach toContinue reading “Hebrews 4:1-7: Radicalizing Ordinary Time”

The BoOM Heard Around the World: A Q&A with Three of the Rejected Florida UMC Provisional Clergy Candidates

Three of the rejected candidates—Shawn Klein, Erin Wagner, and Anna Swygert—sat down with Yet Alive’s Dylan Parson and Trevor Warren for an exclusive interview about the process, their futures, and their hopes for a fully inclusive United Methodist Church.

Vocations in Tension: Considering Ordination as a Trans Methodist

Now as an adult trans man, finally at peace with both God and myself, my sense of calling to the Christian pastorate—to preach the gospel, teach discipleship, administer the sacraments, care for the community gathered around Christ, and foster works of justice and mercy in the world—is stronger than ever.

Against Umbrella Methodism

Suddenly, instead of a bright and beautifully called child of God, I was an unrepentant sinner leading others to sin and death…simply because I decided I wasn’t going to live inauthentically. In my first semester of seminary, I met my wife, and the stakes got so much higher.

Justice Was Denied Them: The Ethiopian Eunuch and Hope in Representation

he conversion story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 serves as a tool to address the lack of compassion and respect among many church leaders and pastoral caregivers for transgender and nonbinary youth. 

On Schism: A Proposed Ecclesiology for a Post-Split UMC

What I believe is most helpful for the Methodist church as it comes to its current crossroads is the ability to demote the definition of the church as a continuity with its past, and instead favor a definition by which the church is conforming to the vision God has for it.

Hallelujah, My World Is Caving In

“Hallelujah my world is caving in”1 I sit in classrooms waiting for my soul to be affirmed To finally feel like I belong within these walls But instead I feel dejected Cast out, set aside, and pushed away with the warm welcome and kindness of professors with the avoidance of topics that would be “tooContinue reading “Hallelujah, My World Is Caving In”

Homesick

Homesickness is a funny kind of illness. It sort of hurts all over. In your throat when someone asks the wrong question at the wrong time. In your lungs when a reminder of what you’ve lost takes your breath away. In your core when there’s the gut-punch of knowing what you long for may neverContinue reading “Homesick”

Aromantic Jesus

(previously published in miniskirt magazine) never meant to show signs at a weddingalways meant to save until laterbut oh how it made his mother smilewhen the clear water overflowed into rich red winewhen there was abundance, a renewal of flowing fountains.it was there that celebration came to beit was there, between beloved creationsbe-loving each otherthatContinue reading “Aromantic Jesus”