Pastor Junia Joplin
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives
who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles,
and they were in Christ before I was. Romans 16:7 NRSV
In the apostle Paul's letter to the congregation he established in Rome he sends warm wishes to a man and a woman who are in leadership and who he regards as kin in Christ. This is an important verse for the way it was interpreted over time. As the church became increasingly patriarchal it was problematic that a woman was in a position of authority in scripture so her name was changed to Junius, which is male. Actually the 400-year-old King James Version does use Junia but others erroneously altered the name and therefore the gender of this person who was a Christian before Paul's conversion,
You may have heard that a Baptist pastor in Toronto who has been pastoring as a man recently announced during an online service hat he identifies as a she and is changing her name to Junia, or June. This is a significant and courageous decision at any time but particularly now when most congregations are choosing not to gather in person for worship or decision-making. After deliberation and a congregational vote Junia was dismissed from her position by a narrow margin -- 52% to 48%. Some members have already said that they will be looking elsewhere for a church home after this outcome, feeling that their pastor was a fine Christian leader.
I wonder what might have happened if congregants had been allowed to gather for conversation and deliberation before making their decision? Would the Holy Spirit have led the congregation in a different direction? We live in a time when many of us who were raised with strong messages and prohibitions regarding LGBTQ2 persons have experienced a change of heart and repented of discrimination and prejudice, myself included. While I didn't have co-workers who were transgender during my years of ministry there were several who were gay and lesbian. They had a deep Christian faith and dedication to ministry in its different forms which I greatly appreciated.
Junia will now be seeking employment in what is an uncertain time. Obviously she realized what the consequences might be but felt that she could no longer be inauthentic to her sense of self and call to ministry.
God be with her and all those who desire to be true to the person they feel Christ means them to be. And God give wisdom and guidance to the congregations they serve or may serve.
Watercolour and ink portrait of Junia by Sarah Beth Baca.
2 comments:
On line may not have been the best way to do this, given the lack of opportunities to have an open discussion...too bad...COVID shut - downs may make it more difficult for her to get a new pastoral charge, too.
I thought the same Judy. Then I recalled the LGBTQ2 colleagues and friends who wrestled with how to tell their congregations through the years. No matter how thoughtfully and prayerfully they did so there were some who rejected them immediately. Knowing that it could be next year before some congregations reconvene, my heart goes out to those who feel they must be true to themselves and honest with those they serve.
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