Gay Christian Network Conference: Reflections from GLAD Council Member Audrey Connor

GLAD Alliance Council member Audrey Connor recently spoke at the Women’s Retreat at the Gay Christian Network‘s Annual Conference. Below are her reflections on that experience.

Reflections on the 2014 Gay Christian Network Conference by Audrey Connor, GLAD Alliance member

The New Year rang in a new experience of connection and community for me the second week of 2014 in Chicago. I had the privilege of speaking at the women’s retreat of the Gay Christian Network Conference and subsequently experiencing the God-filled conference. What I found was a diverse community of Christians faithfully seeking ways to be in relationship with other Christians and God. I thought I would share a little about this with you as you might consider joining them next January in Portland as a friend of GLAD Alliance or just as a Christian looking for connection.

I was ignorant to GCN’s mission before I arrived in Chicago. GCN seeks to provide safe space for all Christians to wrestle with scripture, find community, and love each other. While its mission mostly reaches out to LGBTQI Christians, there were many mothers and fathers and friends of LGBTQI Christians in attendance too. What surprised me was GCN’s determination to make space for both Christians who believe that God loves LGTBQI Christians, but desires for them to remain celibate as well as LGBTQI Christians who believe that God loves them and God blesses same-sex unions too.

I have to admit I was, at first, a bit worried. I have come to believe there needs to be a strong Christian voice that proclaims God’s love for all God’s children and for us LGBTQI Christians to find our love for the same-sex reciprocated. However, after listening to the Executive Director, Justin Lee, speak, witnessing many people trying to make sense of being gay and Christian, I realized that a place like GCN is needed. This network centers on Christ and allows people to figure it out for themselves. I met quite a few people who were past members and leaders of the ex-gay movement when it was called Exodus. For them, the GCN was a refuge where they could discern how God was calling them to live. While I am personally not in the space of “wondering if it is okay with God”, I am grateful the GCN is making room for people who are.

After the weekend conference, I felt fed, loved, and charged to continue to open the Table in different areas of my life. The strongest message I heard at the conference was the importance of all churches to find open tables. This week, I wrote for [D]mergent about these thoughts and God’s call. Here is the link for your thoughts and prayers: http://dmergent.org/articles/2014/1/23/worship-making-space-for-everyone.