Who will be the first "evangelical" pastor in our ranks to leave the pack and set the pace for a new day with regard to the marriage and ordination of GLBT persons?
The Biblical work has been done.
As with regard to the historical processes relating to race and to women, various conservative groups solemnly sited Scripture and wrote ponderous tomes in support of the status quo, claiming the weight of history, the wrath of God and the righteous certitude of their cause as legitimation of their view.
I know there are evangelical pastors in our ranks who are uncomfortable with the evangelical freight train hurtling toward withdrawal from the PCUSA, a freight train largely out of control now, as various folks made decisions that now have a life of their own.
Always interesting, albeit sad, to watch how, in any of our lives, decisions made take on a life of their own as time unfolds, compelling us to make further decisions never intended or envisioned at the front.
Many of my evangelical colleagues are women and men of prayer and thought, and I know their level of discomfort with the more vociferous voices in their ranks.
Sooner or later, one of them, perhaps at the cost of a job in a deep-pocket congregation, will break ranks and lead the way ... as did some friends, way back when, who took to the pulpit one Sunday and made it clear that segregation was a sin. And those congregations rose up in whiteous (yes, that's what intended to write) indignation and showed their uppity preacher the door.
Truth can be costly, as we all regularly preach, but rarely want to experience.
But a price is paid both ways. Silence and acquiescence take their toll, too, depleting the soul of its integrity, compelling the pastor to nod her head and voice his agreement when, in fact, the heart, if not crying out, trembles a bit at the ease with which conscience is sacrificed on the altar of job security and sublimation - and by sublimation, I mean: substituting a thousand good things for the one thing that counts.
Anyway ... enough for now.
I wonder: Who will it be?
To step into the pulpit one Sunday and say, "Discrimination against GLBT persons and our work to bar them from ordination and marriage is wrong, just plain wrong, and any or all thoughts of pulling up stakes and going our own way, or aligning with another denomination is just plain nonsense, and it's time for us to get back to the real business of the Gospel."
Which evangelical pastor, in what congregation, will break from the pack and set the pace.
Who will it be?
WHO will it be?