Sunday morning
Megan drove Emily to Kelli’s and then picked Diane up and they headed for Sunset Baptist
Church. Once in the sanctuary they were surprised to
see the very casual wear of the parishioners.
Megan looked around. Dark walnut pews held about 70 people. A large wooden cross hung at the back of the
pulpit, and a beautifully carved speaker’s stand stood to the left. A choir loft completed the area at the
front. Small stained glass windows lined
the sides of the room.
Weddings, funerals and a few Christmas
programs dotted Megan’s memories of adult church attendance. While friends with many who faithfully went
to church, Megan herself felt claustrophobic in the environment. But today it was for Stephen.
Diane and Megan saw Isabelle and
waved. She quickly walked over to her
friends. “What in the world are you doing
here? Aren’t you afraid the roof will
fall in?” Isabelle laughed at her own
joke. Megan and Diane smiled at one
another and then back to Isabelle—so pleased that she could make a joke like
that.
“We’re here to
listen and support Stephen. Can we sit
with you?”
“Of course,” and
in a whisper she added, “now that Roland isn’t here, I usually sit toward the
back. He always wanted me to be front
and center. I hated that!”
The women settled
in their places as the service began.
After the opening hymn and special music, Stephen walked to the pulpit.
“Good Morning, Friends," he began. For several minutes he spoke of a loving Jesus, giving examples of his outreach to those who were considered not acceptable to others. Then he hesitated for several seconds, and with a change to a more serious demeanor, he continued. "I have spent
many hours thinking and praying about how I want to address you this
morning. As most of you probably already
know, I've sent letters to the Church Board stating that I am resigning my
position here as your pastor.” Surprised
looks showed on a few faces. Stephen
continued, “Today is my last Sunday here with you. I
will truly miss you because I’ve come to admire you for the way you
reach out to others as Jesus did; the way you conduct yourself in business and community
services; the way you care for members of this family.
“I have felt respect
from many of you I’ve come to know.
However, my reason for leaving will present you with a new
challenge. Fellow Christians, I am gay.” Megan could see his hands tightly holding the
sides of the pulpit.
“I have been living a lie, and I cannot
live a life of integrity if I am living a lie.
I’ve been aware of my sexual orientation since puberty, but any church I
attended, at best, called us sinners.
So, in order to be accepted, I kept it hidden. I married a wonderful woman because I thought
the issue was about changing me. Then
I came here after my divorce because I thought living singly would make it all
right. But I still have to face myself
in the mirror each day.
“Christianity is
about knowing Jesus as my Savior, and following the commandments He gave of
loving the Lord my God and my neighbor as myself but that all is intermingled
with living a life of integrity.
“I know the position
conservative Christianity takes regarding homosexuality. Therefore my resignation will allow you to
find someone to replace me whose beliefs follow this community’s position. I sincerely thank you for your kindnesses and
wish you all well.”
Stephen sat down
as an elder uncomfortably came to the pulpit to announce the closing hymn. The organ began and several families rose and
walked toward the rear of the sanctuary.
Megan glanced up at Stephen watching the people walk out of the church
door. Pain shrouded his face.
After the hymn and final prayer, Stephen
and the elders followed their usual practice of walking to the rear of the
sanctuary to shake hands as members left the service. Row by row the congregation walked toward
Stephen. Many shook his hand and several
older women reached up to hug him. But
many walked swiftly past him.
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment