Holle Tubbs is a bisexual Episcopal church worker, ordained as a nondenominational minister, she grew up Southern Baptist, has spent most of her adult life working in the church, and has suffered through a mental health crisis because of that. There are a lot of expectations in ministry that become overwhelming, especially in terms of institutionalisation. The Church is meant to be a place for authenticity and belonging, but sometimes it feels too corporate. As if there is an informal VIP club whereby those who are “integral” to the community and tithe more to the church are given a greater voice than the average church attendee.

Belonging was, and is, always central to Holle’s desires. The idea of a bisexual in ministry is confronting to many Christians. She had a hard exit from her previous ministry role, and the loss of that community-led to 2 years of trauma as she felt she was not worthy of belonging. Hearing the voices of other outcasts helped her find comfort, and she felt God in places where mainstream Christians wouldn’t feel God. Now as she serves as a part-time minister for media and youth, Holle has learned to trust God and continue to have hard conversations with herself and others. Reconciliation happens through many moments of conversation, understanding that through Christ we are all brothers and sisters. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit.

The bible is the cradle that holds Christ. Though there are many interpretations of scripture, the ultimate word of God is Jesus Christ. If one lives for Jesus by the fruit of the Spirit, they belong to Jesus. If the gospel is good news for straight people, why can’t it be good news for LGBTIQ+ people, a community with high suicide rates and a low sense of belonging? The first people to here the gospel story and see Jesus were shepherds: the garbage of Second Century AD.