For Christ's Love Compels Us

by Joe Hennessy

July 14, 1999

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999
From: Joe Hennessy
To: ba-journeys@onelist.com

Hi, I'm Joe Hennessy. A 55 year old former overseas medical missions-type in a committed happy relationship with another man. So I'm SideA, SGB in BA jargon. A 21 year marriage behind me with two sons, now young adults. I have been "out," at least to myself, most of my life. During that marriage I spent some time in counseling and therapy concerning my sexuality. And some time in conservative evangelical seminary preparation for missions work. Primarily I wound up relying on prayer and vigilance to remain faithful to my marriage. That didn't always work, but we held our marriage together through that.

A few years ago, cancer brought me back to the US, together with my family. Surgery and chemotherapy ensued and here I am...over five years later. Recovery from cancer also brought me face to face with my sexuality. During seminary training, and subsequently, I relied firmly on a very straight clean reading of those "troublesome" passages of Scripture. Relied on that reading is not quite accurate, it was always more overlooking the puzzles those passages presented than it was reliance.

I couldn't functionally return to overseas missions work following cancer. It was just too arduous. Began doing medical writing and editing, health care communications. And returned to Scripture study, serious NT Greek scholarship, painfully struggling with my Hebrew as well. My purpose was to no longer nod my head "yes" when reading Lev 18: 22, 20:13, Ro 1:18ff, 1 Cor 6:9-10, 1 Ti 1:10. But to devote serious attention to Scripture and Christian ethics. The result was dramatic liberalization. (A lot left unsaid here.)

The result was also that my wife and I separated, lovingly and prayerfully, giving one another the right to once again puruse our happiness, apart. Then we stood together with our sons to explain as best we could the changes in our lives. I've dressed this up a bit: there were a lot of tears and pain in that process. Today, we are in many ways closer than we have ever been, and still very much parents together.

I also met a man. And today, after three years, we share our lives together. We live in the East San Francisco Bay area. We are members of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, where I coordinate the "reconciling congregation" program. I am committed to presenting a gospel of inclusiveness to the gay and lesbian community. Both within and without the church. I am also committed to continuing study and dialogue within the Christian community concerning sexuality.

I am grateful for Bridges Across. I look forward to what I can learn, and share, here. I know I have left much unsaid in this introduction. I have a much longer "bio" available, but it seemed better to try to be succinct at this point. I am happy to fill in any blanks, to respond to sensitive and respectful questions with sensitivity and respect. More than any other dialogue in my experience, that seems assured in B-A.

Thanks for allowing me aboard!

Joe Hennessy

For Christ's love compels us.
2 Cor 5:14