Philadelphia’s first openly gay ordained Presbyterian pastor will give an insightful and empowering speech at the upcoming TEDxPhiladelphia event.
David Norse, 29, made headlines in 2013 when Broad Street Ministry announced it would ordain the Princeton Theological Seminary grad. His retelling of his powerful coming-out story won him Moth StorySLAM in February.
Norse is among the featured speakers at TEDxPhiladelphia 2015: And Justice for All — a June 11 conference exploring issues of access of equity. Norse’s talk will explore the intersection of the LGBT and Christian identities, drawing parallels from his own life and personal experiences.
“We tend to see LGBT and faith identities in conflict with one another,” Norse said. “But that’s not the narrative I am seeing. There are many different possibilities.”
Instead, Norse said he has experienced being a part of faith communities that are open and affirming. Additionally, his biblical studies have led him to conclude that the Christian faith is not exclusionary, as many are inclined to think.
“There have also been a couple shifts that have brought about rapid changes in the church’s views,” Norse said. “There are out and open clergy, as well as more open members of the congregation. Everyone knows someone who is LGBT.”
Norse said part of his job as a pastor is to help others take their thinking deeper — similar to the process encouraged by TEDx.
“I think part of what we pastors do is point out the paradoxical,” Norse said. “For me, that is one of the beauties of TEDx. You have lots of folks sharing insights that people may not have had, challenging people’s notions of the world, pointing out that there is more to learn about themselves, others and God.”
Norse said he hopes his talk will show people that the two parts of his identity — his sexuality as a gay man and his Christian faith — can coexist and be mutually beneficial, even flourish.
Assuming all goes well at TEDx, Norse said he’s eager to give similar talks in the future.
“I’ve already been a part of discussions at campus ministry groups at Penn and William Way events. I am more than willing to engage people who want to learn and have conversations about it.”
Norse currently serves as a pastoral associate at Broad Street Ministries. His TEDx talk is not affiliated with BSM.
The one-day conference of minds will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11 at the Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N. Broad St.