Welcome to Ramblings (of a queer, Christian contemplative).
I’m Jon Carl.
In this newsletter and website, I engage with folks interested in reflecting on issues of sexuality, society, and spiritual practice from my perspective as a queer-identified, gay, married (to a man), Black, contemplative in the Christian tradition.
I’m glad you’re here.
I created this post to give you a taste of (1) how I see myself and the world, (2) where I’m coming from, (3) what you might expect in this conversation, and (4) how we might journey together.
Healthy people and communities grow and change even while grounded in core values and principles. I will let you know as of what date the following impressions are true, and keep you informed when I change the information in this post.1
1. How do I see myself?
At core, I consider myself to be a queer, Christian contemplative. As a gay man (a man who has been aware of his attraction to others of the male gender and the masculine form) for my entire life, I identify as queer in solidarity with the entire LGBTQIA+ spectrum as well as the many, many ways one can be “queer” from a perspective that challenges societal norms, despite one’s sexual identity, orientation or practice.
As a Christian, I follow as best I understand it the pathway offered and demonstrated by Jesus of Nazareth as he has been presented by tradition (especially in the gospels) and in the memory of the communities which drew nourishment, connection and meaning from his story. I also claim intimate, ongoing experience with the risen Christ, both as an integral member of his body and as connected to his deep presence through the Holy Spirit.
As a contemplative, I live out my walk with Jesus through a practice of listening and looking for God in everyone and everything. I try to engage in continual, mindful reflection and exploration on how I might grow more fully into the likeness and presence of the Christ, especially as an agent of positive, societal as well as individual transformation.
2. Where am I coming from?
I am a privileged Black intellectual, raised in an American Christian context which I have never lived outside of. I am married to a wonderful man (since 2016) with whom I have lived since 1995. I have spent significant time in a variety of Christian traditions and expressions—and some spiritual communities not centered on Jesus—yet I have been deeply embedded in a radically inclusive United Methodist parish where I have been honored to assist in worship and coordinate spiritual support and outreach to the university across the street from our building.2
As of August 2023, I have been enrolled in the Master of Arts in Public Ministry program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where I am also a Deacon Fellow (a program for people answering a call to the United Methodist diaconate). My concentration at Garrett-Evangelical is in Gender/Sexuality, and my specific interest has been encouraging a contemplative sex-positive, queer-inclusive, justice-oriented approach to personal and communal discernment around sexual and relational practice.
Recently, I have followed the leading of Spirit to focus on creating nurturing spiritual space and formation for emerging adults (specifically in University contexts) and people emerging into spiritual leadership or new phases of ministry (especially with youth and emerging adults outside of traditional congregational life).
Through the end of summer, I am working with ZOE, a global network of inclusive, affirming, justice-oriented campus ministries. I hope to assess the needs of people doing this work and explore ways to most effectively connect and support them.
3. What might you expect?
Deep conversations with me tend toward passionate, reflective engagement around issues of spirituality, sexuality (especially the ethics of sexual practice), and social transformation.
In this space (Ramblings) I intend to share reflections on my life in general, occasionally referring you to other spaces where I engage in greater depth with more specialized topics.
For instance—and quite by accident—I launched a new, free Substack newsletter in April 2024, New Wineskins, as a place I could reflect on innovative and creative expressions of the body of Christ designed to positively engage the world in healing transformation.
Ideas for several book projects have emerged, and some have been abandoned. I'll let you know what's going on with them when the time is right for me to share.
4. How can we journey together?
I would love for you to continue to read my thoughts and reflections. Subscribe (for free) to get notifications when I publish something here or have something to announce. I'd appreciate but do not demand your financial support (it lets me gauge what you are interested in investing in). And please let me know your thoughts and reactions to what I am offering.
I invite you to connect with me (link below) to continue a dialogue. If you are receiving this via email, you can always respond by sending a reply.
I earnestly and eagerly look forward to connecting with you.
Be well!
This post was created Saturday, 02 December 2023, and last updated Monday, 15 April 2024.
In April 2024, I stepped away from leadership and worship for a period of prayer and reflection regarding exactly what shape my call will take next. (Noted Monday, 15 April 2024.)