Reply #6: Not really

[dmallind]

I say this as a pretty outspoken atheist too. Whether I'm one or not, it's a safe assumption you're not. I can and will if you like happily argue why I have that opinion and consider it more valid than yours, but that's going to do bugger all for your job woes unless you think that some kind of "debate an atheist day" at your church might cause your congregation to unify by any wild chance.

Apart from saying trust me I am in manufacturing and the same problems exist in almost perfect analogy - for the simple reason that any group of people will have diverse opinions and priorities and I have to "shepherd" this plant and its people just like you have to shepherd that congregation - I can offer only banal advice. This is because there is only banal advice available for such situations. I think you guys have some pretty decent parables about acceptance of trials and tribulations right? I think you have a few examples in the big leather book on your pulpit of how difficult it is to unify a group of people even when you are speaking of an ostensibly catholic (small c of course) god and faith. If Moses couldn't do it what chance do you have, no offense intended as you should certainly not be slighted by the comparison?

So other than forebearance what could you do? Remind people - and BOTH sets of people - you are there to serve the whole congregation of the people who wish to be part of your church. On this site of course you'll get 99% in support of the glbt folks - me included - but only IF you make it a competition or either/or. You can't do that and win either for yourself or your congregation. If the GLBT folks want no conservative social members of their church ask them why they would deny pastoral attention to conservatives just because of politics? Tell them that the best way to improve acceptance of GLBT folks is to remove the ignorance and fear of the other that is the prime cause of it. How can you do that if you turn away the conservatives from your church by word or deed? Isn't it better to welcome them into a congregation with significant GLBT presence too so they can see that they are normal people just like anyone else?

If the conservative members want no GLBT congregation, the same arguments still work but you can add others too - that we are supposed to love the "sinner" right? We are supposed to be bringing prople closer to the faith right? If everyone were perfect and godly why would you even need clergy? Again you don't have to say you want to do a "gay conversion" bit and you don't have to say you agree that homosexcuality is a sin (unless of course you do so agree).

I suspect you've tried all that. Which perhaps leaves actions and ministry rather than mere statements. You're the guy who determines the sermons right? How many times can you look at different ways to hit these notes? Heck I can think of enough to keep you going for months so doubtless you can think of more. What about volunteer activities that are not overtly aimed at GLBT perhpas but focus on the same areas - ministry to those considered "not like us" to the conservatives?

This of course will not create a perfect union where all the GLBTs and the reactionary RWers join hands and sing kumbaya while pledging eternal tolerance and understanding. You have to go pretty much to the very top of the clergy command chain to get to those who are even supposed to have that kind of power and influence - the guys with the wings and big halos and they aren't available for guest sermons. But could it slowly help? What else would do more?