Rogue Reverend

My Gay Deli

I went to seminary at a very conservative, Baptist divinity school at Samford University, called Beeson Divinity School. There were a lot of great things about the school, not the least of which was the amazing faculty, who were (for the most part) very supportive of women in ministry.

BUT… there were students who were very conservative on the issue of women in ministry, and many times I was told, “You can’t be a minister! You’re a girl!”

So while I was in school, I worked as a short-order cook in a local deli. A gay deli. Every day I would go to work and a handsome, funny, gay man would say, “You’re gonna make a fabulous minister!”

It balanced things out for me, because the work you do in seminary is lonely. You do spend a lot of time thinking about your relationship with God, but you also spend a lot of time recognizing your faults. And while you can make some wonderful friendships, you also begin to get a taste of the criticism that the church holds for its servants.

I was telling a church member about my gay deli the other day. He’s in a PhD program at a local school. He grinned and said, “Richmond Mennonite Fellowship is my gay deli!”

If you’re looking for a church in Richmond, Virginia, I recommend Richmond Mennonite Fellowship. It’s welcoming, affirming, loving, peaceful, and thoughtful. Come visit. Drop me a message though this site, and I’ll give you directions.