Made in the Image of God: On Being a Transgender Pastor

“Being an open transgender minister, especially in smaller communities, is not an easy thing to do,” Anthony Kirk, the pastor of Klamath Falls Friends Church, confides, but “I know this is what God asks of me and wants me to do.”

One of the touchstones in Anthony’s spiritual journey has been the 139th Psalm. “[It’s] brought so much comfort to me and so many people in my life,” he says. “It’s the beautiful reminder that… God knew us and loved us and created us long before society put labels on us and made assumptions, for all of us are fearfully and wonderfully made, and whatever our gender expression or identity, we are made in the image of God, too.”

“Wonderful are Your works,” the Psalmist says; “that I know very well.” How can Friends, individually and in our meetings, honor that message in their encounters and relationships with people of all gender identities? Share your reflections in our comments section.

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