THE ORIGINAL IDEA for the documentary film had just been scuttled and I returned home, dreading what my wife would say after hearing that my newly-formed project crew and I had agreed that the real movie should be about my personal journey to find a way for the church I led to love and include LGBTQ Christians more.

For all of the energy and effort that had gone into building sufficient trust for Gary, Marian, and me to engage in an honest dialogue about Christianity and homosexuality for one night in May 2008, I’m sure many of those who saw this as a hopeful sign of more healthy interactions on this vexing issue were disappointed with what happened next: nothing.

A FEW MONTHS AFTER my January 2007 dream and shortly after my church board had decided to join me in risking our reputation, I began to meet with the Christian social justice group who spearheaded the debate on homosexuality.

I was sleeping soundly next to my wife when I “heard” a voice. I can’t tell you how, but I just knew in my spirit that this was the Lord God Almighty.