Holy Conversations: Discussing Transgender Issues in Your Community

Made in God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences, by Ann Thompson Cook - an excellent booklet to use in discussing sex, gender, and transgender issues

FAQ on Transgender Issues from the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Rev. Drew Phoenix reappointed to St. John's of Baltimore City
Rev. Drew Phoenix has been reappointed to St. John's of Baltimore City, a growing congregation spreading the good news of "God's inclusive love for all creation." BWARM supports Rev. Drew Phoenix, a transgender minister, in his continuing ministry, the congregation which Rev. Phoenix serves, St. John’s of Baltimore City, and Bishop John Schol in his reappointment of Rev. Phoenix.

In October 2007, the Judicial Council (the highest court of the United Methodist Church) upheld Bishop John Schol's rulings of law with regard to two questions on Rev. Phoenix's appointment. Click here to read the Judicial Council's decision and see news stories below.

News Stories about Reappointment of the Rev. Drew Phoenix

Jump to the May 24, 2007 statement by Rev. Drew Phoenix to the Annual Conference

"Top court upholds transgender pastor’s appointment" by Neill Caldwell, United Methodist News Service, 10/30/07.

"Methodists Vote to Keep Transgender Pastor" posted by Win Rosenfeld on NPR's blog The Bryant Park Project. The post includes a 3 minute video by Pauline Bartolone.

"Transgender man can keep post as pastor" by Liz F. Kay, Baltimore Sun, 10/30/07.

"Pastor speaks of transgender experience" by Linda Bloom, United Methodist News Service, 5/25/07.

"Transgender pastor shares story" by Melissa Lauber, UM Connection Daily, 5/25/07. The story is on page 3 of the UMC Connection Daily from the 223rd Annual Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

"Transgender minister is reappointed: Pastor leads Charles Village United Methodist church" by Liz F. Kay, Baltimore Sun, 5/25/07.

An Associated Press article by Brett Zongker has been picked up across the U.S. Read the story "Transgender Minister Reappointed in Md." on the WTOP website.

Statement by the Rev. Drew Phoenix to the plenary session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, May 24, 2007

Last fall, after a lifelong spiritual journey, and years of prayer and discernment, I decided to change my name from Ann Gordon to Drew Phoenix in order to reflect my true gender identity and to honor my spiritual transformation and relationship with God.

My transition to live fully as the male I know myself to be is very personal and deeply spiritual. As a Christian, I worship God – I AM. People frequently asked Jesus, “Who are you?” His response was, “Who do you say I am?” “Who do YOU say YOU are?”

I believe that our spiritual path is, in great part, the answer to: Who am I? I am ...

I realize that my transition may be confusing and surprising for those of you who have known me for years but were unaware of what I was going through. I am glad that I finally have the opportunity to share.

It is my intention and hope that, by sharing my story – my relationship with God and my spiritual journey – we will commit ourselves to becoming educated about the complexity of gender and gender identity and open ourselves to those in our congregations who identify as transgender.

When I was born, society declared that I was a girl, and my parents named me Ann Gordon. But for as long as I can remember I have felt like a boy, acted like a boy, dressed like a boy and wanted to hang out with the boys. And for the first several yeas of my life, my parents let me by my boy-self. In fact, I was referred to by everyone in our small town as my father’s son, Dave Gordon’s son.

So it was very difficult when I reached puberty to be pressured by family, friends, church and community to conform, to dress and act, like a female. At the time (unlike now), there was no language or body of knowledge about gender identity, and certainly no available medical expertise, to help me describe and understand the disconnect I was experiencing between my physical, external self and my internal, spiritual self. I identify as male. The gender I was assigned at birth has never matched my own true, authentic, God-given gender identity … how I know myself.

Fortunately, today, God’s gift of medical science is enabling me to bring my physical body into alignment with my true gender. I am making this transition under the care of an excellent medical team. I am grateful for their expertise. They have been instruments of God’s grace for me.

As I continue to transition, to fully claim myself as a male, I find myself coming home to the Child God created me to be. I find myself joyful, whole, and peaceful. And I find myself even more effective as a pastor.

You may ask what effect this is having on the church I am currently serving, St. John’s of Baltimore City. I can tell you that St. John’s is growing and thriving on its Discipleship Adventure. In the past 5 years, membership has quadrupled, for the first time in years families with children are participating, stewardship has tripled, several new ministries have been initiated, and the congregation has plans to begin renovating its old, historical building in order to be more efficient, effective, and relevant in its vision and mission.

As I have chosen to transition, the congregation has studied, listened, and prayed in order to understand and embrace the meaning of my transition within my call to ministry and within our call as a congregation. My prayer, and greatest concern always is that the congregation continues to grow and thrive.

Gender identity diversity is not easy for most people to understand, as we have been steeped in an either/or, male/female-only understanding of gender. It is hard to believe that our bodies do not tell the whole story about what we are. I assure you that I am not one-of-a-kind, that there are people like me in our congregations who are suffering with the disconnect that I have felt.

Jesus’ central message is that God’s love and grace extend unconditionally to all of us, not because we look a certain way or have a particular identity, but because we are all children of God created in God’s image. Each of us is a beloved child of God. No exceptions.

Today, in your congregation, in your communities, are young people and adults struggling with who they are and how they fit in. Maybe their families do not understand them; perhaps their friends have isolated them. They are wondering if they fit into the church. As Christians it is essential that we communicate to them God’s unconditional love and their worth and value as children of God made in God’s image. You can begin that process today as I stand here and witness to the complexity and joy of God’s creation.