Robert Lee Waymack
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Stole Text
Robert Lee Waymack
Presbyterian Church (USA)
1979 M.A. from Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, VA
1982 D.Min. from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA
Written Ordination Exams – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
All Theological Papers – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
Exegesis and Sermon – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
Oral Exams – FAILED!!
How could they fail me? The committee just met me! And I just finished telling them about my experience of grace in my life and my sense of call to the ministry. Did the committee chair suspect that I was gay? I had only come out to myself the previous year! No explanation was given for failing the Oral Exams other than, “Needs more work.”
Still, the calling congregation wanted me! This was confirmation enough that my sense of call was real. And since it was a congregation of 3,500 members with several ordained pastors, my own ordination was not necessary for the position to which I was called. I worked in the congregation for four years, until they began to whisper loudly, “Why is Bobby over 30 and not married?” “Why is he living with a roommate?” The session decided to look into the matter. It was time to exit the professional ministry before real ugliness erupted.
That was ten years ago. I still have a mix of emotions about the church. I feel relief that I do not have to live a closeted life anymore. That is not healthy. I will not do it again. But I feel sadness and anger as well. I miss the ministry and still believe that I am not living up to my true calling. Nor am I using my knowledge and skills to the fullest.
It is with this mix of emotions that I give this stole back to the larger church. It is the one that I wore the most as the color for most of the liturgical year is green. I give this particular stole for another reason, also. I always found this particular color of green to be ugly. As ugly as discrimination is ugly. But there is a difference between the two. This ugly green stole has been transformed, even sanctified, for above its fringe it bears the mark of Christ. Discrimination never does.
Presbyterian Church (USA)
1979 M.A. from Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, VA
1982 D.Min. from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA
Written Ordination Exams – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
All Theological Papers – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
Exegesis and Sermon – approved by Charlotte Presbytery!
Oral Exams – FAILED!!
How could they fail me? The committee just met me! And I just finished telling them about my experience of grace in my life and my sense of call to the ministry. Did the committee chair suspect that I was gay? I had only come out to myself the previous year! No explanation was given for failing the Oral Exams other than, “Needs more work.”
Still, the calling congregation wanted me! This was confirmation enough that my sense of call was real. And since it was a congregation of 3,500 members with several ordained pastors, my own ordination was not necessary for the position to which I was called. I worked in the congregation for four years, until they began to whisper loudly, “Why is Bobby over 30 and not married?” “Why is he living with a roommate?” The session decided to look into the matter. It was time to exit the professional ministry before real ugliness erupted.
That was ten years ago. I still have a mix of emotions about the church. I feel relief that I do not have to live a closeted life anymore. That is not healthy. I will not do it again. But I feel sadness and anger as well. I miss the ministry and still believe that I am not living up to my true calling. Nor am I using my knowledge and skills to the fullest.
It is with this mix of emotions that I give this stole back to the larger church. It is the one that I wore the most as the color for most of the liturgical year is green. I give this particular stole for another reason, also. I always found this particular color of green to be ugly. As ugly as discrimination is ugly. But there is a difference between the two. This ugly green stole has been transformed, even sanctified, for above its fringe it bears the mark of Christ. Discrimination never does.
Contribution Story
Archival Record
Stole Number: 382
Honoree(s): Robert Lee Waymack
Donor(s): Robert Lee Waymack
Geography: Charlotte, North Carolina (USA)
Faith Tradition: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Donation Date:
Citation
“Robert Lee Waymack,” LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed May 4, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1200.