Comments on: “Surviving the Care of the Church” : Jack Woodin https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/ Members and friends of the Evangelical Covenant Church in favor of a more inclusive church! Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:44:56 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Beth Anderson https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-837 Wed, 03 Jun 2015 19:35:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-837 I know this story is nearly a year old, and I would love to hear how things have worked out.

I’ve also been under the “care” of a church that felt more like punishment than kindness, and so your story resonates with me.

I hope things are looking up, and I’ll try to remember you in my prayers, Jack. <3

]]> By: Lorian Dunlop https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-815 Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:11:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-815 Jack, I’m sorry I missed this when it went up. Your story is both beautiful and deeply saddening (the way that your congregation has treated you). Blessings and love to you as you continue becoming the person God made you to be.

]]> By: DeAnza Spaulding https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-680 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:54:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-680 Jack, I’m not sure I have anything helpful to say or suggest other than thank you for your courage to share your story. The coming out process is such a painful and difficult process. It’s never a one-time decision, but something that is assessed and painstakingly considered every time one chooses to ‘come out’ or share their identity in this way. It saddens and grieves me to know that the church doesn’t understand this process, doesn’t support people and come alongside in this process and often rejects God’s beloved people in this process. Your story inspired me in that you have remained open hearted to God, to the church and to yourself. You and your family have handled all of this so graciously and lovingly– I wish you comfort and peace throughout this process.

]]> By: Judy Peterson https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-677 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:10:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-677 Jack, you are indeed loved unconditionally! And I feel so honored to be part of this unfolding journey as you and your family walk through this new terrain with Jesus. I am grateful for your committed to the Body of Christ as it would truly be incomplete without you. Hope to see you this summer at Pilgrim Pines

]]> By: Bob Chase https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-675 Fri, 13 Jun 2014 20:35:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-675 Jack you are well spoken and you make these issues so much more clear, especially the process of sensitive, planned communication about “coming out.” Furthermore, you are brave to hang in there patiently while the world changes so slowly. A passage of scripture came to mind–from Acts chapter 11 and pasted below my comment. The early church rejected gentiles, and then God challenged Peter’s mindset by showing him a vision and telling him to accept without judgment those whom God has cleansed. Your life and faithfulness will be like Peter, demonstrating that as God has done great work in your life, Christians should not second guess God’s intentions. Bless you. Bless your precious family. :: The scripture :: 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’

]]> By: comingoutcovenant https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-674 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 01:34:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-674 In reply to Eva Sullivan-Knoff.

ApprovePhilip K. Brockett
860-543-0605

]]> By: Eva Sullivan-Knoff https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-673 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 22:44:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-673 Jack, I am moved by your courage, integrity, and inner strength, and sorry for your heartbreak and the judgment you have received. I am grateful that you know you are the beloved child of God. May God’s love and presence continue to envelop you and your family.

]]> By: Susan Carr https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-672 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 19:22:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-672 Thank you for sharing this. It must have been difficult and yet hopefully a relief. I’m sorry for any difficulties you’ve had at Bethany. I for one appreciate your service at church. Only God can be the judge. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

]]> By: Janet Muller https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-671 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 14:19:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-671 Hi Jack,

Thanks so much for sharing your story!

I just re-read one of Andrew’s posts and he shared this about ordination within the Covenant…

“I chose to disclose my sexual orientation to leaders in the church after deciding that the closet was not a healthy or sustainable place for me to live. In response, I have been told two things: 1 – sexual orientation alone does not disqualify a candidate from ordination in the Covenant Church, and 2 – there are gay and lesbian Covenant pastors who, living in accordance with the ethical guidelines for ministers, have been ordained. So, in essence, I am not alone and I can technically still seek ordination.”

I’m just wondering if you have the option to escalate this “under care” removal from ministry up through denominational leadership. Not sure that is something you want to use your energy on. But it seems that if you can be gay and be ordained you should be able to friggin lead a choir. (That said, we all know leading a choir is more demanding than being the pastor!, lol lol. Just kidding, Phil….or am I? lol)

Also, perhaps the church council should have a weigh in for all those serving in ministry and put people like me “under care” for the sin of gluttony! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Best,
Janet

]]> By: Cathy Doty Jeffers https://comingoutcovenant.com/surviving-the-care-of-the-church-jack-woodin/#comment-670 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 03:45:00 +0000 http://comingoutcovenant.com/?p=811#comment-670 Jack, once again I am in awe of your strength, courage, honesty, and faithfulness (and that of Donna and the kids) in the way that you have handled this situation. I was and still am heartbroken to learn that our church leadership responded to you with judgment and rejection rather than support and acceptance, given that such a response is ostensibly done in “our” name, as members of the congregation. We do not agree with the decision church leadership made on our behalf, and that decision was the proverbial straw that made us decide to take a break from Bethany Covenant Church ourselves. It is my hope that your witness can be the impetus for change in the way that church leadership treats the LGBT community, and that it leads to Bethany being a “place where ALL people come to life,” not just those who fit someone’s arbitrary definition of who a “Christian” is. Love to you all.

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