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I first met Dave and Sally McClure through More Light Presbyterians (MLP) when I heard them speak at the MLP lunch at General Assembly in 2008. We have attended several MLP conferences together since then. They are active in their PCUSA church and presbytery in California.

How has your personal journey as parents of a lesbian daughter strengthened or challenged your faith?

Sally: My journey since our daughter, Molly, came out as lesbian has strengthened my faith because it forced me to take a closer look at what I believe about who God is. I worship a God of love and my faith in a loving God has deepened.

The crisis for me when Molly came out was not about God. It was more about the Presbyterian Church. With God, no one is “second-class.”

Dave: My crisis has also been with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because I had to figure out how to stay in a church that treats my daughter the way it does. It has been heartening for me to see movement in the church and to see the perseverance of people like Lisa Larges who for so long have acted and spoken for LGBT inclusion. That witness strengthens me.

In your mind, what are the Biblical foundations for LGBT inclusion in the church?

Dave: Christ is from start to finish loving, kind, calling us to love one another and all creation.

Sally: What comes to my mind is the comment from Peter where Paul says to Cornelius, the Roman, that even though I am a Jew, I cannot call anyone unclean. [Acts 10:28 “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.”]

What can we do to foster dialogue and build bridges with people with different views on inclusion?

Dave: A group in our church has been fostering conversation since 2003. We have had a heartening experience with those who may differ with us but come with an open mind and a willingness to listen. We have also experienced those whose minds are fixed, unwilling to move. We wonder a lot about how to continue to talk with them.

What would you say to those Christians who have a different view on inclusion?

Dave: Especially on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry in my presbytery, I have gotten to know some people where we agree on 90% but disagree so greatly on 10% and on LGBT inclusion in particular.

Sally: I try to honor the position of love, to demonstrate good behavior, treating them the way I want myself and my daughter to be treated. At the same time, I cannot back track, apologize or be less than strong and clear about where I stand.

Do you have a story of a person who embodies Christ’s teachings?

Sally: Honestly, my daughter, Molly, is the most Christ-like person I know. She chooses not to acquire things, living well below the poverty line (even though she has a college degree). She works free 20 hours a week for a justice organization. She shares all she has including her car. I could go on and on.

Dave: Lisa Larges comes to mind for me. I was a commissioner at the San Francisco Presbytery meeting for her ordination trials. Many hurtful things were said. She was unwaveringly gracious, honest and faithful when she spoke.

What is one of the defining moments in your life as a Christian?

Sally: When I did the Bethel Bible Series, some of what was taught I would not agree with now, but it took me far into Scripture. I was trained as a Bethel teacher too. Through that Bible study I came to understand the cycle so constant in human experience, both for individuals and groups, of falling away from God and being drawn back by God into loving relationship.