I was not surprised to lose my credentials. I was<\/em> 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<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would you change anything you did leading up to the trial or during it?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How has this affected you personally?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n Can I read your defense?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Will you appeal the decision?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Will you join another denomination?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/em>or which <\/em>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.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/oord-my-defense-fc-194x300.jpg\")
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