Pastor comes 'out'; church cheers
ByVirginia Culver
Denver Post Religion Writer
Virginia Culver, Denver Post Religion Writer
Monday, January 14, 2002 - The Rev. Scott Landis grew up belonging to a
church in Souderton, Pa., that taught homosexuality was a "depraved
lifestyle."
The experience led to a decades-long struggle between his homosexual
feelings and his Christian beliefs that culminated in an unusual
announcement this month.
On Jan. 6, he told his congregation at First Plymouth Congregational Church
in Cherry Hills Village that he is gay.
He received a standing ovation from the 600 people present. Many lined up
to afterward to hug him and shake his hand.
"It was a risk," said Landis, 46, the father of three. "But this is a
remarkable congregation. They showed me compassion, love and support beyond
my wildest dreams."
Even so, the announcement means the end of his 25-year marriage and a new
relationship with his three children.
First Plymouth, at East Hampden Avenue and South Colorado Boulevard, has
1,200 members. It is one of the city's oldest churches, tracing its history
to 1864, when the first church meeting was held in downtown Denver.
United Church of Christ, the denomination to which First Plymouth belongs,
allows openly gay people in the ministry. The liberal Christian
denomination dates to the 1600s, when the group was called Congregational.
Landis is one of a handful of openly gay ministers serving a church in the
Denver metro area, said the Rev. Kevin Maly, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, near downtown Denver. He is also gay.
Ginny Blunden, president of the church board, said she has heard some
church members are grieving for Landis' marriage, but no one has told her
they cannot accept him as a gay minister.
"I have told people we need to stay in dialogue," she said.
On Jan. 6, Landis asked the congregation during the service to stay
afterward because he had a personal matter to discuss with them.
In a 25-minute speech, he said he struggled with his sexuality from the
time he was an adolescent. Landis said he had same-gender feelings and
attractions, but he couldn't talk to anyone at home or at church about
them.
Homosexuality was decried in the church he attended as a child as "a
disgusting choice that God condemns," he said.
"I was terribly conflicted about the church's condemnation of homosexuality
and my sense of call to the ministry," he said. "It has taken years to
resolve that conflict. . . . I decided my only recourse was to fulfill what
was expected of me," he told the congregation.
"I lived the life of the straight male I thought everyone wanted me to be.
I married the woman I love. We have three beautiful children I adore.
"Eventually, the facade began to break down. It felt like I was dying."
After his speech, some said they were relieved to hear the news, fearing
he'd announce that he was gravely ill or was about to resign.
But Landis, who came to the church more than four years ago, said he knows
some members are staying only because it's their church - not because they
agree with him.
He said he believes sharing his news with the congregation will make him a
better pastor. "I understand brokenness in a whole new way," he said. "I
feel peace in the knowledge that now people really know me."
Landis said he told his family late last year that he's gay and discussed
it with the pastor relations committee, which helped him decide how to tell
church members.
The church is arranging meetings for members to discuss their feelings
about Landis.
His coming out is taking a personal toll, leading to a divorce from his
wife of 25 years and a realignment with his two sons, ages 21 and 19, and
his 16-year-old daughter.
Landis said he and his wife agree homosexuality isn't chosen, but something
a person is born with. They "will remain friends," he said. "And the kids
have been remarkable."
Landis said his 19-year-old son attended the meeting Jan. 6 and told him,
"You've loved and supported us, and I want to do that for you."
The pastor said he's seeing a therapist and consulting a spiritual adviser.
Jerry Arca, a church board member, said he hasn't heard any negative
comments from church members, but those who have a problem with it probably
aren't talking to him.
"There will be handful of members who will be distressed, and they may
decide to find other churches to worship in," Arca said. "Some people are
just not comfortable with homosexuality."
Landis is not the first openly homosexual minister at First Plymouth. The
Rev. O. Elaine Hinnant told the congregation before she was hired in 1999
that she is a lesbian.
More than 100 openly gay ministers serve United Church of Christ
congregations in the country, said the Rev. Mitzi Eilts, coordinator of the
denomination's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Coalition.
Several hundred gays serve Protestant churches around the country, but the
majority are quiet about their orientation because most denominations allow
gay ministers only if they are celibate.
Landis, who has a doctorate from Princeton Seminary in New Jersey, has
served as associate pastor at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ in
East Greenville, Pa.
He taught at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., before moving to
Colorado.
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