By Cassie Jacobs

Was I Invited? No. Did I Bring Snacks and Opinions? Absolutely.

Years later, after babies, moving across the country to the mountains, and wrestling with God concerning new questions of my own beliefs, a friend welcomed me on her exploration of theology concerning the LGBTQ+ community and faith. Maybe I showed up to the party uninvited. Who’s to really know?

This Investigation Brought to You by Enneagram 5 Energy

This is how it all started… being the Enneagram 5 that she is (5’s are the investigator), she had begun a deep dive on the topic. Due to my experience with my Coffee Shop Friend many moons before, I was still desperate for answers I had never received.

My friend shared her resources. I found some of my own. I read books and listened to podcasts and teachings from both affirming and non-affirming followers of Jesus. My friend and I would discuss what we were learning over coffees and dinners. I processed and processed and processed what I was learning with my husband. That gem of a human had no idea what he was getting into when he married me, in more ways than one!

As this education intensive started to wind down, I found myself absolutely in love with the LGBTQ+ community and utterly mystified at the lack of bridges established between them and the Church. 

And once again I found myself at a complete loss as to what to do next.  

A few years later, a unicorn waltzed into my life.

Coffee with a Unicorn (No Big Deal)

I had heard SJ’s name a lot and knew she was beloved but months would go by before my little fairy, Kyla, would inform me that I would probably be interested in the work SJ was doing and told me a bit about Christ Centered Sexuality.

Wait, what kind of work is she doing?
Wait, why am I just now hearing about this?
Wait, have you all been holding out on me?!

Then began my stalking of SJ. (On the internet. Don’t play all innocent, we’ve all done it!)

This didn’t feel like an accident. This felt orchestrated.

I finally met SJ. We had coffee and listened to each other’s stories. Then through a right time-right place situation I was invited to join Christ Centered Sexuality’s first cohort. (If you haven’t signed up yet, what are you even doing with your life?! Ok, that might be a little too intense but I do highly recommend the cohort!)

Golden Nuggets That Weren’t on the Menu

I walked away from the cohort with these golden chicken nuggets:

1. A new awe of God I was completely not expecting.
   
2. A realization that singleness is a stunning gift and I needed to further develop my theology of singleness.
   
3. Wondering if I am supposed to do work in the area of sexuality.
   

I recognized during the cohort that I come alive and become very passionate around learning, discussion and study of sexuality. Then, as I reflected on my story (the one I just told you!) I had the absolute epiphany that this has always been true of me.

I told my husband, “I probably should have seen it sooner, it feels very obvious now, but here we are!”

After the cohort I threw myself at SJ’s feet (Not really. I can be dramatic when telling a story.) and offered to support CCS anyway I could.

Today, I’m honored to be part of the CCS team, working to equip the Church and followers of Jesus on sexuality and to build bridges with our LGBTQ+ friends through God’s kindness.

Following Jesus (in Slightly Used Jeans)

Following Jesus (or your bestie to a thrift store discount day!) happens one step at a time.

For me, this was a journey made up of many small steps: purity culture, deconstructing purity culture, conversations, books, podcasts, questions, wrestling, and friends who led me to other friends. I was just following Jesus the best way I knew how at the moment.

Maybe this is the culmination of my story but experience (and my spidey-senses) tell me this is just the next step.

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