Many evangelical pastors are open to having LGBTQ+ people serve in some capacity in their churches. While 12% of evangelical pastors say LGBTQ+ people can serve anywhere in their churches, less than half (41%) say there are no service opportunities in their churches. Evangelical pastors are less likely than mainline pastors to say LGBTQ+ people can lead worship (11%), teach (11%) or hold leadership (12%) roles. More say they can serve in helping and service roles (36%).
“Knowing if a Protestant church is mainline or evangelical is a good clue whether they might include LGBTQ+ persons in service and leadership in the church, but it’s far from indicative,” McConnell said. “Churches across traditions interpret and apply biblical standards for leadership and fellowship in the local church quite differently.”
Female pastors are also more likely than male pastors to be open to LGBTQ+ people serving in their churches. Half of female pastors (51%) say an LGBTQ+ person can serve anywhere in their churches, compared to 1 in 5 male pastors (20%) who say the same. Female pastors are also more likely than male pastors to say LGBTQ people can serve in both front-facing and behind-the-sense service roles. More female pastors than males say LGBTQ+ people can serve in helping or service roles (57% v. 39%), public worship roles (42% v. 17%), public teaching roles (43% v. 18%) and public leadership roles (43% v. 18%). Male pastors (37%) are more than twice as likely as female pastors (15%) to say LGBTQ+ people can’t serve anywhere in their churches.
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This article originally appeared here.
