The other day I was chatting with some friends about the topic of LGBT+ people serving in ministry roles within the church, both on a volunteer level and in a leadership-type role, and of course that got me thinking about my own personal ministry roles and experiences. Almost all of my ministry experience came from the time when I was still closeted, only out to a handful of people; the only ministry experience I have since coming out is my role with LOVEboldly.
John Backman is a guest writer whose voice we’re honored to share. You can read more about John in his bio at the end of the piece.
You never expect one comment to upend your whole life.
It happened to me last month in a conversation with a wise elder. I was describing my ideal approach to spiritual direction—to all my human interactions, really—in which I am so locked into the other person that I forget about myself. My wise friend agreed the ideal was pretty good as far as it went.
Then, in a voice so soft I could barely hear it, she dropped the question: “Where is John in all this?”
My conscious mind drew a blank. My unconscious mind saw it for what it was: a golden opportunity to unload decades of repressed schmutz.
John Backman is a guest writer whose voice we’re honored to share. You can read more about John in his bio at the end of the piece.
Quick: what does LGBTQ stand for? If you’re like most people, L, G, and B are easy. You know T at least because of the legislation over bathrooms. Then you hit Q and draw a blank.
Q doesn’t get a lot of press. It’s also complicated. Still, as a resident of Q Nation, I can tell you it’s authentic. Herewith a primer, using FAQs you may have asked yourself.