Answering Questions After the Trial

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. After being found guilty at my queer church trial, I have been talking with news sources, radio (BBC), podcasts, and more. And there are more developments in the works.

I’m writing this while in Britain. I’m living out of a backpack for a month as I travel to various cities to speak, including speaking at Greenbelt, a progressive Christian festival outside London. My last stop is Split, Croatia.

I’ve been asked many questions since the trial. So I thought I’d answer seven here…

Were you surprised by the verdict?

I was not surprised to lose my credentials. I was surprised to be excommunicated by having my membership removed. I was also surprised at how poorly the verdict was written and how bad the theology was as articulated by the writers. I brought leading theologians as my witnesses, but the discipline board, whose members have a small iota of theological training by comparison, thought they knew better! (To read the verdict, see this link.)

Would you change anything you did leading up to the trial or during it?

My strategy for this trial was not to be found innocent. I assumed I’d be declared guilty. That assumption freed me to be bolder than I might have otherwise been. I wanted to make the case for full queer inclusion, and my primary audience was the wider denomination and public. That’s why I hired media consultants, hired a videographer, talked to news outlets, published my defense before the trial, etc. I’m happy about that strategy. I’m also pleased with how I acted during the trial itself. (I’m grateful to my wife for her counsel and encouragement during it). Of course, I wish the discipline board had taken my expert witnesses more seriously.

How has this affected you personally?

Although I assumed this journey would be difficult emotionally, it was far more difficult than I expected. I dealt with anxiety, shortness of breath, weight gain, and more. I’m grateful for a supportive wife and family, and many friends reached out with encouragement. My pain, however, pales in comparison to what so many queer people endure at the hands of the church.

Can I read your defense?

The transcripts from the trial are not available yet. But my defense is available as a short book. The e-version is only 99 cents, and the print is $4.99.

Will you appeal the decision?

Earlier this year, my friend Dee Kelley went through a similar trial. He had written an essay for Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming, the book my daughter and I co-edited. Dee lost his case and pursued several appeals. Not only were his queer inclusion “crimes” fewer than mine, I saw how unjustly he was treated by denominational leaders. When I don’t expect justice, I don’t see the point in appealing. But I’m happy Dee did.

Will you join another denomination?

Not anytime soon. While I’m grateful to the people who invited me to join their group, I plan to wait a long time before deciding if or which group to join. I went to trial 1) to encourage queer people, 2) to encourage allies, and 3) to move the Church of the Nazarene toward full queer inclusion. I wasn’t “burning bridges” on the way elsewhere. I plan to continue attending Real Life Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho, where I’ve been for several years. But I can’t be a member.

Can I help with your trial expenses?

Yes! While I did not hire a lawyer, I invested a lot of money in media consultants, videographers, book production, and social media help. You can contribute to a fund raiser to cover those costs. Click here: Spreading the News of Queer Affirmation.