Jesus Is Radically Inclusive: Words That Can Get You Fired At a Conservative Christian College

Donald Padgett of advocate.com reports on a story from Beaver College in Pennsylvania in which a lesbian soccer coach was fired from her position as a soccer coach because on her private Instagram account she said that LGBTQIA2S+ people are “precious gifts” to the church, and that “Jesus is radically inclusive.”

Truth: Jesus is radically inclusive.

What could be wrong with this sentiment or thought at a Christian/Christ-centered college or university?

Everything. Especially if you are an out-lesbian soccer coach.

Women’s soccer coach Kelsey Morrison is now former coach because she was fired from her job at Geneva College in Beaver Falls last month because, a) she is a lesbian (the College knew she was a lesbian when they hired her in 2021), and, b) she published this private perspective on Instagram.

For background, Geneva College is associated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA). This is a denomination which began in the 1600s. Ordination of women and LGBTQIA2S+ people does not occur in this denomination.

From Kelsey: “'Nine days ago I got suddenly fired from a job I care deeply about at Geneva College for sharing these two stories on my private Instagram two months ago,' Morrison wrote. 'I don’t have the best way to do this. I wish I did. The battle between fighting injustices and wanting so deeply to live in peace has taken me on a wild journey.’”

She says that she was blind-sided by the Human Resources office at Geneva College when she met the College administrators on June 2, 2023, and told that she either resign and sign a non-disclosure letter, or simply be fired.

With grace, Kelsey wrote this letter to those at Geneva College: “Thank you for giving me space to be myself at Geneva,” Morrison wrote. “Not knowing my story, you accepted me and allowed me to be free, have fun, and laugh in community. I hope knowing my story creates a more expansive vision for many. Keep sharing your story! It is a precious gift and needed!”

Here’s a link to the article: https://www.advocate.com/news/gay-coach-fired-christian-college

What else can one say but that Jesus’ love is radically inclusive.

Thanks be to God.

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