Faith Formation
In 2014, there were secret meetings happening around the U.S. for evangelical pastors who were deeply uncomfortable with the status quo of non-affirming theology, and who needed a place to talk about it… without losing their jobs. Because to even ask the question, “have we been wrong about this?” definitely meant, for many, an immediate termination and total chaos for the church.
So in different cities around the country, pastors were flying to meet secretly with leaders from Highlands Church and other theologians to talk about what an affirming theology looks like. They took solace in the friendships that were formed behind those closed doors. And when the time came for them to declare their affirming theology in public, we were there to support them through the storms that quickly followed.
For the thousands of LGBTQ Christians who have since been positively impacted by these affirming faith communities, I wonder what would have happened if there were no secret places for those pastors to meet. It’s ridiculous that it had to happen secretly, but thank God it happened at all. These churches, along with so many others that have planted or also transitioned to fully affirming, are breathing new life into Christianity in America. In some cases, they are saving the lives of LGBTQ folks.
For faith leaders in the spotlight, it can be hard to have our own faith journey. It’s a false narrative to act as though faith leaders have all their spiritual shit worked out. But if that is still the space you occupy, you might need a safe place to ask your questions, to wrestle with God.
Spiritual Formation is not about me supplying any answers. In fact, I am agnostic about quite a few things I used to be so very sure of. Faith Formation is about permission to ask the question in the first place. It’s about getting to the very heart of what you believe to be true about God and yourself. I will provide you the space to process. I’ll ask questions. I’ll reflect back to you what you are saying so that you can hear yourself, and in that process, hear God. I will provide some resources that might be helpful in your journey of discovery. And I will learn from you, too.