A church shouldn\u2019t have to compromise its identity, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have to have an elaborate document in order to get permission to preach the gospel?\u201d Pearson said. \u201cThat shows me there\u2019s something not quite right in the relationship from the get-go. It really was those core issues that were being brought to bear and of course, yes, they manifest themselves in the sexuality issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was not pressing other churches to change to the Advent\u2019s position, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn one of our earlier conversations the president of the Standing Committee said to me, \u2018Well, Andrew, what would you say if an Episcopal Church in Birmingham hired a transgendered clergy person to be their associate?\u2019\u201d Pearson said. \u201cMy answer was, \u2018What I\u2019d say is \u2018Welcome to the Episcopal Church.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
It was more about the Advent\u2019s right to keep its tradition, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue really became, for me anyway, I think the individual congregation should have the ability to go in the direction they feel called to go, but I\u2019d ask the same for the Advent,\u201d he said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t really concerned what other Episcopal churches in the diocese were doing, but there seems to be a great concern from other churches as to what the Advent is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Andrew Pearson on why he left Advent Cathedral and dealing with the diocese. \u201cI would often engage in conversations with leaders of the diocese and at given points it was clearly said that Jesus\u2019 death on the cross was just a political accident.\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/gPsEhk5Jvd<\/a><\/p>\n — Jeff Walton (@jeffreyhwalton) July 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n