Continuing to bask in the limelight as United Methodism’s only “out” transsexual pastor, the Rev. Drew Phoenix spoke with blogger Trish Bendix of the lesbian and bisexual women’s blog, AfterEllen, in an online interview before General Conference 2008. Bishop John Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Conference reappointed Phoenix as the pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD, last year despite Phoenix’s transitioning from the female Rev. Ann Gordon to his current, ostensibly male state.
The Rev. Drew Phoenix speaks at a press conference of transgendered Methodists during the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, TX. |
In the interview with AfterEllen, Phoenix equated the Methodist stance against homosexual behavior and failure to support transgender behavior to the church’s institutionalized segregation of African-Americans (until the 1960s) and reluctance to ordain women (until 1956).
“The thing that worries me most [for the agenda of gay, lesbian, and transgendered persons in the United Methodist Church] that I see happening, that I’ve seen happen time and time again in the United Methodist Church, is that there’s a . . . push for unity, even if it means sacrificing justice and equality,” Phoenix said. “For instance, in 1939 when we came together . . . unity was promoted at the cost of sacrificing a whole other group, which means black people. Then again in the ‘70s, that same issue arose around the inclusion of women, especially as ordained pastors, and for the sake of unity we excluded women just to keep the church together.”
Phoenix predicted that the pursuit of unity would not be successful as long as some people were being excluded. “You know, there is no unity unless everybody’s invited to the table,” Phoenix insisted. Expressing plans to do a “lot of education and advocacy” on transgender issues, and hopes for the then upcoming 2008 General Conference, Phoenix observed, “April 23rd of this year I will celebrate . . . two years since I began transitioning. Ironically enough, cosmically, I will be attending the General Conference, which is the national meeting of the United Methodist Church in Ft. Worth, TX, and it begins that same day that I began transitioning.
Phoenix described the success of a six year pastorate at St. John’s, where weekly attendance has increased roughly from eight to 50 on a given Sunday. “I like to think that my presence is an invitation for other people to be their authentic selves . . . whatever their gender identity or orientation,” Phoenix said. “I’ve set that kind of example for them.” Phoenix added that the congregation had become “more diverse racially, [and] ethnically.”
Encouraging the blog’s sexually diverse audience, Phoenix remarked, “I’ve been surprised and very happy to find that most of the world is very supportive.” Phoenix was gladdened by those who “have the courage to be oneself . . . [and] head down that path of self-discovery.” Phoenix also discussed the tensions that exist between homosexual persons and transgender persons, two groups that tend, at least politically, to function as cobelligerents. Reported Phoenix, “Personally . . . I walked in lesbian circles for many, many years, and in the process of coming out to them as transsexual, my lesbian friends were the ones who had the most difficulty with my transition. I’m still not sure why.”
Comment by n/a on February 24, 2019 at 11:39 pm
“Closer to Christ”: a Scriptural reflection and study related to trans*, non-binary, and combined issues:
YHWH LORD GOD WILLING:
God Is Good, all the time, all the time, God Is Good, Amen! HalleluYHWH! Amen! HalleluYah! Amen!
Answer from Scripture,
“For God So Loved the world, He Gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him might not perish, but might have Eternal Life.” John 3: 16
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will not cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:37-40
to one problem potentially faced, a notion that should not be present! That of “one such as yourself” “as you are” couldn’t or doesn’t look find God, have God, know God, love God, be loved by God, etc. One that strives to put a caveat on Christian songs such as “All Are Welcome” and “Come As You Are”. Well, you and others can and should find, have, know and love God, love and serve Him, and love neighbor and self.
Another issue that one may face, also Biblically addressed, is on the basis of God’s Gift of knowledge:
“ …My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst.”
Isaiah 5:13 NASB
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”
Hosea 4:6a NASB
Isn’t that “what’s up” in terms of folks who have issue with transfolk and/or non-binary individuals? Misunderstanding, ignorance, not knowing, and, perhaps in some instances, for at least a moment, not seeking or caring to know?
But are we or at least me ever guilty of this as well?
However, let me bring some news of oneness and unity for you though, trans, nonbinary, and fellow travelers. Some great, wonderful news! It’s a shame if you don’t yet know it, and/or if nobody’s told you yet…
…you may be closer to Christ than you think or you know!
Put out notions of pens to the bathroom bills or perceptions of ignorance, and consider what YHWH LORD GOD Says:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12
Have you ever thought about this Passage or sentiment in the context of trans, nonbinary, or combined communities? Many in our community have likely experienced, whether directly, through family, or via some of the media message supposedly portraying “Christians” and “Christianity” what I’ve come to refer to as being “church-burned”. Not welcome in the pews “as you are”. Or told that who you are isn’t actually you. Or perhaps the subject of whispers, gossip, or some form of apparent willful or otherwise ignorance or discontent. Misgendered or otherwise inappropriately referred to. Perhaps told that in some opinion “The Bible Says” you aren’t or can’t be you. Told your “condition” or similar is not reflective of or incompatible with a Christian life.
Whether “religious” in motivation or otherwise, some are beaten or furthermore killed essentially for being trans, as we see here tonight. Have you in the community been persecuted for His Name’s Sake? Blessed are you.
“for nothing will be impossible for God.””
Luke 1:37 NABRE
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19: 26 NABRE
We are Blessed as a community in these times, as medical information and treatments, as well as societal adaptions and adjustments such as documentation rectification becomes significantly more known in some instances, more available. In others, though there is still quite some way to go. We can be grateful to be medically and societally recognized as who and what we truly are. But we ought recall, in any event, that no doctor, politician, co-workers or HR reps, likely not even our earthly SOFFAs, nor even I decide your gender, nor you mine, nor I mine, nor you yours. It’s God-Ordained, and God-Created, just as I’d think, and hope, many churchfolk/religious would likely say. God doesn’t make mistakes, so you are not a mistake.
Trans and non-binary folk need not be seen as any defiance of Divine Creative Order. Being trans or nonbinary or both need not be casting out or against the Genesis Given of “male and female He Created them”, but a way we have come in accord with and manifestation of order, despite the “fallen nature” of the world and conditions and times we live in. For me, well, in a pretty binary way. For some, perhaps an expansion on the understanding of that fundamental notion of “the sixth day”.
“And God Saw It Was Good”
Genesis 1:31
How could that possibly be?
“Trust in YHWH with all your heart, on your own understanding rely not…”
Proverbs 3:5
That “possible notion” again?
“Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who believes.””
Mark 9:23
I take a tip from John 9 I’ve been prone to use in Theological discussion on “transness”. The Passage begins with Jesus and His disciples on a journey, coming upon a man born blind. They ask who sinned, this man or his parents, that yielded to him being born this way?
Neither he nor his parents sinned but rather so The Work of God might be shown in him. cf. John 9:3
What if “trans” was plugged into that query, would Jesus’ Response similar to the one noted in The Gospel? He Knew and Knows about us.
Another tip, also from that Passage:
[Some Pharisees] answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.
Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who Is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He Is The One Who Is Talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.
John 9: 34-38
Jesus Is There Present sharing His Love and Testimony, that Of God, to a man who was questioned and cast out by at least some of the “societal religious authorities” of that region and time. Ever been called into question or even cast out by the religious authorities of the region and time in which you live? Tried to dialogue with them about His Work in your life in things seemingly as “unconventional” or “misunderstood” for, as applicable, being trans or non-binary or both? Gotten some or all from the slew of questions and/or retorts? “You’re defying/rejecting God.”, “That’s a sin.”, “How could He Accept/Work that way?”, “What do you know?” “That’s not how it is.”, “You’re wrong.”, “He doesn’t work that way.” Do not be deceived, Lord Willing…
“For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My Ways,” Declares YHWH. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My Ways higher than your ways And My Thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
When religious and government authorities literally had Jesus killed and attempted to have Him sealed away…
By YHWH LORD GOD He Took Away Sin! He Rose Again! HALLELUYHWH! Amen!
Similar to what Joshua told the Israelites of old coming into the land, we too must choose this day Whom we will serve, and how we will serve. YHWH LORD GOD WILLING: As for me, similar to what Joshua stated, I will serve YHWH. God deserves that and better, without question, and yet more, after all, He’s The One Who Gave and Gives His all for me, and:
“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1John 4:8
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.”
1John 4:18
Keep taking up that cross daily, follow Him! Love and obey He Above me/we, and then perhaps see that it does get better, it is getting better! Bless God! Amen! HALLELUYHWH! Amen!
YHWH (The LORD) our GOD YHWH (The LORD) is One.
Love YHWH (The LORD) your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (The First Commandment)(The Second is like It) Love your neighbor as yourself
cf. Deuteronomy6, Leviticus19, Matthew22,Mark12,Luke10,etc.
choose God choose life
thanks as applicable, and thank/praise YHWH LORD GOD in all/any
Best,
http://Bible.cc/interlinear
http://www.Bible.com
my bad if/as applicable, Good YHWH LORD GOD Always as He Wills
thanks, and thank/praise YHWH LORD GOD in all/any