Today we’d like to introduce you to Rev. Dawn Bennett.
Hi Rev. Dawn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my public ministry in 2020, after providing lay ministry to marginal communities, specifically LGBTQ+ and incarcerated folks since 2010. Over the years, I experienced fractures from the Church and failures to care for people God specifically names in scriptures. Becoming part of the remedy became a fire in my bones that would not be quenched, short of quitting my job, going to seminary and joining the rostered list of ordained clergy. Post seminary I was ordained to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament which in church-speak authorizes me to hold worship, bless and distribute Eucharist, officiate funerals and marriages as well as baptisms and the like. I consider this the formal aspects of what I do.
Throughout my ministry career I have become less and less enchanted with traditional “church” but not less enchanted with God’s mercy and justice.
When someone asks “what I do for a living” I often reply, “I’m in the helping professions.” You see, in the Deep South, someone like me, a bisexual, female, progressive Lutheran (ELCA) pastor is often met with scoffs and sneers. My motivation is to help heal the wounds and scars left by religion (whatever version) and for some conservative (or narrow minded) folks, just my authentic presentation is a barrier to furthering conversation that could otherwise be helpful.
For several years past I pastored a congregation which was literally at the intersection of LGBTQ+ life, faith, politics and homelife. About 98% of my parishioners identified in the LGBTQ+ community and the other allies who attended were fierce supporters of our Beloved Community. This pastoral call afforded me the opportunity to provide spiritual care and counseling to folks inside and outside the church. As a community organizer and clinically trained chaplain, much of my ministry takes place outside a sanctuary. For some, the world is their oyster. For me, the world is my sanctuary. I am a lover of God and people, generally speaking, but I also know…God don’t like ugly! So when I see injustice, I cannot sit idly by without providing care and empowerment for folks to break free from trauma bonds caused by harmful religious dogma. God is a God of ALL people and creation. Our birthright is equal access to God, however it is we define or relate to that Life Force. What I try my best to do is clear a cluttered path so that folks can find their way to the center of Love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road or a smooth ride. As far as the struggles? Where shall I begin, this is a short interview. My Protestant denomination (ELCA) Lutheran is not huge in this part of the country. In fact, it’s pretty small in comparison to some of the others. The biggest challenge has been conservative Baptist and Evangelical traditions that do not “believe in” female pastors and even less in the sacredness of LGBTQ+ people. I began very early in my career ‘not reading the comments’ and paying very close attention to the ‘fine print.’ That said, I have also not given any room to negative rumors or narratives about me or my ministry. I leave my evidence on the streets and in the hearts of the people I serve.
I write and publish a lot about God’s love for all people and the breach by this faith tradition that has done such harm to the spiritual well-being of people, in “the Name of God.” While I am kind, compassionate and well-spoken, I do not sit idly by while news reports, public officials, other pastors and clergy deride anyone, gay or not, in a way that would cause God to get a bad reputation.
I have been on both ends of the barrel of hate and harmony. But I believe that when a person takes the time to talk with me personally, they learn that my ministry is in the forefront of my mind at all times and that at the beginning and end of every day, my motivation is reconciliation: with ourselves, with each other, and with God (to the best of our ability). There have been lots of barriers in my way over the years. My commitment to God and to the people who need my ministry, is to find another path to freedom and liberation, or learn how to build a bridge between what is and what can be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an ordained clergywoman. I am known best by my public ministry to the LGBTQ+ community and my dedication to community service and trauma-informed pastoral care. My hashtag is #holyhellion and I do my best to live into it every day.
What I am most proud of is that I have been effective in helping people who have been harmed by religion and church find a way back to spiritual balance that contributes positively to their overall wellbeing.
What sets me apart from my other colleagues is that I am often told I’m “not very pastory.” For me, this is a high compliment because it signals to me that I am effective at remaining approachable. My daily hope is to understand, so my daily practice is to listen, and listen often. Many of my clergy colleagues are fearful of being called a heretic. I’m quite certain Jesus was heretical on many counts. There is a difference between being a heretic and being a #holyhellion. For me the difference is, if orthodoxy is a barrier to spiritual health and wellness, it may be time to adjust one’s orthopraxy.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I do not know how to change car oil, fix stuff, build stuff or do computery stuff, but I can cook and bake really well!
Contact Info:
- Website: theadventchurch.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/dawnbennett513
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rev-dawn-bennett
- Other: https://www.revdawnbennett.com
Image Credits
(#3) Emily April Allen (#5, 6) Laura Roberts Photography
