Can you be out and ordained?
by Lainey Millen Special Assignments specialassignments@goqnotes.com
Published: March 27, 2012 in Blog
Our Being a Gay Parent columnist Brett Webb-Mitchell wrote an informative piece on Huffington Post. I thought our readers might relish this read, so enjoy.
It does share sharp perceptions on the issue. And, I think that those of you who might consider becoming a clergy member would find great insights from someone who has walked these challenging miles.
It begins:
On July 10, 2011, the Presbyterian Church (USA) formally amended their constitution (The Book of Order), deleting the ordination requirement that ordained officers “live in chastity in singleness or fidelity in marriage.” The new policy simply asserts “standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.” This simple phrase allows LGBTQ people to begin breaking out of our second-class captivity, no longer caught in a linguistic snare that denied us ordination, censure or being defrocked.
Like the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the Episcopal Church, Disciples of Christ, Moravians and United Church of Christ (UCC), most Presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church USA now welcome out-LGBTQ people as ordained and installed leaders. While my heart is filled with joy, others in my Church enter a sober time of discernment, discouraged by the Spirit’s forward movement. They are at odds with the majority who voted to be more inclusive of all God’s people. In this time of a groundbreaking change in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I’m praying for these five changes as I begin to pastor as an out-gay Presbyterian pastor: …
To read the rest of the reflective piece, visit huffingtonpost.com/brett-webbmitchell/out-and-ordained_b_1308010.html.



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