Dozens of Methodist clergy come out as LGBT

http://www.kionrightnow.com/life/dozens-of-methodist-clergy-come-out-as-lgbt/39455338

CNN via KION

By Daniel Burke CNN Religion Editor
POSTED: 01:03 PM PDT May 09, 2016  UPDATED: 03:14 PM PDT May 09, 2016 

CNN) -

Dozens of United Methodist clergy members came out as lesbian, gay or bisexual on Monday, defying their church's ban on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" serving in ministry and essentially daring their supervisors to discipline them.

In a public letter posted online, 111 pastors, deacons, elders and candidates for ministry said their church's rules require "that we not bring our full selves to ministry, that we hide from view our sexual orientations and gender identities."

"While some of us have been lucky to serve in places where we could serve honestly and openly, there are others in places far more hostile, who continue to serve faithfully even at tremendous cost to themselves, their families, and yes, even the communities they serve, who do not receive the fullness of their pastor's gifts because a core part must remain hidden," the letter continues.
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Interesting that the headline includes the "T" in LGBT, but the article mentions only LGB clergy coming out. Later it contracts itself by saying transgender pastors are not excluded from the ministry two paragraphs before it talks about a "longtime ban on LGBT ministers". The author of the article seems not to know what the T stands for.

In my opinion a more honest action is to abandon and condemn the institution that bans them.  It's not like they didn't know what it was when they joined it.


Sapere Aude

One of the interns at my church flew out to Portland yesterday to support those who have come out.