Queer Clergy

R.W. Holmen, a Minnesota author and ally, chronicles the journey of gay and lesbian Christians to be fully accepted and fully included in the congregations of mainline Christianity in Queer Clergy: A History of Gay and Lesbian Ministry in American Protestantism, published by the Pilgrim Press.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of five denominations featured in the book.  A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Holmen includes the stories of many of our pioneers as well as relating the history of General Assembly and presbytery actions leading to the adoption of inclusive ordination standards in 2011, and also touches on the ongoing efforts toward marriage equality.Holmen calls attention to CovNet's story-telling website, A Season of Welcome, as he concludes:

To be sure, trust, reliance, community, and grace-filled moments were gifts shared by gays and lesbians on the journey.  So, too, has the church been blessed - or at least the sliver of Christendom under discussion here: the ecumenical denominations.  Presuming to speak for these churches, I can say that we have relearned the meaning of gospel, we have been healed of a grace-killing sickness of the soul, and we have once again encountered Christ on the road to Damascus.