It’s not easy being a theological rock star with decidedly liberal leanings. Your critics long ago consigned you to hell, your peers think you’re way off the hook, and even your fans can’t help but wonder if there’s anyone or anything left for you to skewer.
Yet, such was the existence of Episcopal Bishop John “Jack” Shelby Spong, who died in September at age 90.
An ecclesiast, scholar, author and fierce apologist for a non-literal reading of Hebrew and Christian scripture, Spong spent most of those years deconstructing, then reconstructing a church he was convinced still has something to say.
A child of the segregated South, Spong rose from parish priest to bishop of the Diocese of Newark, N.J. (1979-2000), during which time he ordained the first openly gay man to the Episcopal priesthood. Although scorned from within and without his denomination, Spong stayed the course, ordaining nearly 40 more LGBTQ persons to ministry before retiring.
Spong was equally committed to clearing the way for more women to enter ministry. In conjunction with ordaining gays to the parish, he developed a policy requiring churches in search of a new pastor to interview at least one non-male candidate - a still radical directive in some Protestant circles.
While Spong’s efforts on behalf of a more diverse clergy drew considerable ire, the worst was reserved for his clearly articulated liberalism — theological, social and political: Spong called for a Christianity grounded in reason and metaphor; he early on saw the connection between personal belief, social norms and oppression, and; even as his health declined, he held the Republican Party to account for presenting itself as the true defender of the faith, yet “… is still working to impede the political process for black people, to make voting so difficult as to prevent them from casting their ballot.”
Still, other critics cited the steep decline in active parish membership during Spong’s tenure as a bishop. (While the denomination as a whole was losing vitality, the Newark Diocese saw an even greater exodus.) Spong expressed guarded regret for those who left the church’s fold, but responded by asking how many progressive Episcopalians were “coming home” because of the changes he’d spearheaded.
After retirement, Spong maintained a dizzying pace, touring and writing books. He suffered a stroke in 2016, which eventually ended his active career.
For or against Spong’s contributions to religious discourse, there remains his role in advancing the wider progressive cause. Interviewed by the Richmond Times-Dispatch about Spong’s insistence on a faith informed by justice, former parishioner Lee Switz gave a first-person account of her late pastor’s vision:
“He made people angry, and he loved it, because it meant they were engaged. For those of us who were young, he made it okay to question, to seek answers, to bring civil rights, the war in Vietnam, the persistence of poverty in the richest nation in history to what it means to be a Christian.”
Spong’s death signals the passing of the liberal thinker-activist generation that helped pave the way for the ministries of Revs. Nadia Bolz-Weber, William Barber III and today’s small but mighty chorus of kindred religious leaders. Their passion and commitment ring familiar. Even as we say farewell to the remnant few, we can celebrate their torch has been passed.
Don Rollins is a Unitarian Universalist minister living in Hendersonville, N.C. Email donaldlrollins@gmail.com.
From The Progressive Populist, November 1, 2021
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